“He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28:30-31 ESV). What Satan meant for evil, God used for good. The Jewish leaders that brought charges against Paul
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24 ESV). This proverb contrasts the difference between having “many companions” and one close “friend.” For which is better? To have many fair weather companions who disappear at the first sign of trouble, or
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD” (Proverbs 18:22 ESV). We live in a day when marriage is not highly respected. It is often joked about and devalued. But marriage was God’s idea. It is not a mere social construct, but of Divine design. It is God’s
“I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles” (Acts 26:22-23 ESV). Paul’s testimony
“O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch” (Psalm 5:3 ESV). David wrote this psalm describing his habit of seeking the Lord in prayer in the morning. He spoke of how he cried out to the Lord and then watched and waited for
“When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison” (Acts 24:27 ESV). Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and delivered to Marcus Antonius Felix, the Roman Governor of Judea, at Caesarea Maritima. He was kept in custody there for two years,
‘The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”’ (Acts 23:11 ESV). Paul had testified one last time before the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, but their hearts continued to be hardened. After being
“The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession” (Psalm 2:7-8 ESV). The book of Acts attributes this psalm to David. Yet David did not, nor did any other Jewish king,
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2 ESV). The first psalm begins with both
“Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you” (2 Kings 20:5 ESV). Hezekiah, king of Judah, was sick to the point of death. The prophet Isaiah came