“When the time came, we set sail for Italy. Paul and several other prisoners were placed in the custody of a Roman officer named Julius, a captain of the Imperial Regiment” (Acts 27:1 NLT). Dr. Luke included himself in the Acts narrative with the use of the first person plural “we” (“it was decided that
‘Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?” Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”’ (Acts 26:28-29 NLT). After Paul gave his defense before
‘There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that
“A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus” (Acts 24:24 NLT). Paul was held prisoner by the Roman procurator of Judea, Marcus Antonius Felix for two years. Felix understood the religious culture of Judea better
“I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.” (Psalm 3:5 NLT). David wrote this psalm after he had to flee from his son, Absalom, who sought to overthrow him and take his crown. Surely he was overcome by grief from this betrayal. Sleep had no
‘So the commander went over and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I certainly am,” Paul replied. “I am, too,” the commander muttered, “and it cost me plenty!” Paul answered, “But I am a citizen by birth!”’ (Acts 22:27-28 NLT). Paul’s Roman citizenship was often a help to him as he
“When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair” (2 Kings 22:11 NLT). Josiah was crowned King of Judah at age eight after his father, Amon, was murdered by conspirators. Both his father and his grandfather, Manasseh, were unrighteous kings who had led the people
“The rest of the events in Hezekiah’s reign, including the extent of his power and how he built a pool and dug a tunnel to bring water into the city, are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Judah” (2 Kings 20:20 NLT). King Hezekiah was one of the greatest kings
“Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.” (Psalm 149:1 NLT). The Scripture often instructs that a “new song” be sung to the Lord. In fact, this command is in the Bible a total of nine times: six in the Psalms, once in Isaiah,
“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” (Acts 20:24 NLT). The apostle Paul reminded his friends from Ephesus of the calling he had on his life from