Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for July 6

PAUL’S TWO YEARS BY THE SEA

From: July 6, 2024

“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, but was allowed the freedom to be visited and helped by his friends. Although it was the unscrupulous Felix who kept Paul there, hoping for a bribe and seeking favor with the Jewish leaders, surely it was God’s will for Paul to stay there for a while. For Paul had the freedom to regularly preach to Felix and his wife, Drusilla, the daughter of Herod Agrippa I. Paul also had the freedom to reach out to his Christian brothers and sisters in Israel, while being protected by mighty Rome from his Jewish enemies.

Caesarea Marítima (“Maritima” means “By the sea”) was the major seaport for the Judean Province. It was a beautiful place. Herod’s summer palace was there. And so was the summer home of the Roman Governor. Paul was able to expand his ministry influence, while living under Roman protection at this important crossroads in his ministry. Soon Porcius Festus, the new governor, would hear Paul’s testimony and ultimately send him on to Rome to appeal to Caesar.

What the enemy meant for evil, God meant for good (See Gen. 50:20). When we walk by the Spirit, we can trust God to determine our steps and deliver us from evil.

PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to see our circumstances through Your eyes. Give us Your peace and contentment when things don’t go according to our plans, knowing that You determine our steps. And knowing that Your will for us is better than our own. Strengthen us and lead us this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

PAUL’S FAITHFUL WITNESS

From: July 6, 2023

“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 than most Romans, having married the daughter of Herod Agrippa I, Drusilla. Both of them divorced their first spouses in order to be together.

Paul’s captivity during these two years was not in a prison, but under the custody of a Roman officer who was instructed by Felix to give him some freedom and to allow his friends to visit and attend to his needs. During this time, Felix often sent for Paul at his official residence in Caesarea Maritima, so that he and Drusilla could hear more about Paul’s faith in Christ. As Paul reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix often became frightened and sent Paul away until another time.

After two years, Felix was recalled to Rome. Some time later Drusilla and their son were visiting Pompeii, where they died in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Felix remarried a third time, and later died of tuberculosis.

One has to wonder what affect the two years of regular conversations with Paul had on Felix and Drusilla. As for Paul, his patience to share the gospel even while in chains, showed his singular focus on the Lord’s calling.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to be faithful in our witness, always talking about our faith in Christ even when we are in difficult circumstances. For You are always at work and we are often called to places where You want to offer the gospel through us. Strengthen us to be obedient during these times. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5 NLT).

From: July 6, 2022

DO YOU WEAR THE NAME OF THE NAZARENE?

Some of the Jewish leaders who had accused Jesus before Pontius Pilate, now traveled to Caesarea to bring accusation against the apostle Paul before the Roman governor, Marcus Antonius Felix. This time, they hired a Roman orator and attorney named Tertullus to represent their case. He began his accusation by complimenting “noble” Felix and the Romans for the Pax Romana that they had brought to Judea. And in contrast, he named Paul, with ad hominem disdain, a “plague,” a pestilence, among the Jews throughout the Roman world. Yet, his climatic charge was that Paul was a “ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes,” using the same name that they had given Jesus, namely, Jesus of Nazareth.

The Greek word translated “cult” is the origin of our word for “heresy.” So, the Jews called the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, a heretical cult called “Nazarenes.”

Muslims learned this name and have called Christians by this same name since their invasion of Christian lands in the 7th century. In recent years, Christians in the Middle East were labeled with the Arabic letter “ن ” (“Nun” or “N” in our alphabet) by members of ISIS to show that they were “Nazarenes,” a name meant to shame them, but instead worn as a mark of faith by those so labeled.

The apostle Paul was essentially marked with the letter “N” for Nazarene. Yet he too, wore it not with shame, but with humble faith in the One who was first called the Nazarene, Jesus Christ.

PRAYER: Dear Father, what the world means for shaming, we see as glory. For we are humbled to wear the name of the Nazarene. Strengthen us to carry the name of Jesus to every nation, tongue, and tribe. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“After some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus” (Acts 24:24 HCSB).

From: July 6, 2021

PAUL’S FAITHFUL WITNESS

Paul was held prisoner by the Roman procurator of Judea, Marcus Antonius Felix for two years. Felix understood the religious culture of Judea better than most Romans, having married the daughter of Herod Agrippa I, Drusilla. Both of them divorced their first spouses in order to be together.

Paul’s captivity during these two years was not in a prison, but under the custody of a Roman officer who was instructed by Felix to give him some freedom and to allow his friends to visit and attend to his needs. During this time, Felix often sent for Paul at his official residence in Caesarea Maritima, so that he and Drusilla could hear more about Paul’s faith in Christ. As Paul reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix often became frightened and sent Paul away until another time.

After two years, Felix was recalled to Rome. Some time later Drusilla and their son were visiting Pompeii, where they died in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Felix remarried a third time, and later died of tuberculosis.

One has to wonder what affect the two years of regular conversations with Paul had on Felix and Drusilla. As for Paul, his patience to share the gospel even while in chains, showed his singular focus on the Lord’s calling.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to be faithful in our witness, always talking about our faith in Christ even when we are in difficult circumstances. For You are always at work and we are often called to places where You want to offer the gospel through us. Strengthen us to be obedient during these times. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5 NKJV).

From: July 6, 2020

DO YOU WEAR THE NAME OF THE NAZARENE?

Some of the same group of Jewish leaders who had accused Jesus before Pontius Pilate, now traveled to Caesarea to bring accusation against the apostle Paul before the Roman governor, Felix. This time, they hired a Roman orator and attorney named Tertullus to represent their case. He began his accusation by complimenting “noble” Felix and the Romans for the Pax Romana that they had brought to Judea. And in contrast, he named Paul, with ad hominem disdain, a “plague,” a pestilence, among the Jews throughout the Roman world. Yet, his climatic charge was that Paul was a “ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,” using the same name that they had given Jesus, namely, Jesus of Nazareth.

The Greek word translated “sect” is the origin of our word for “heresy.” So, the Jews called the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, a heretical sect called “Nazarenes.” Muslims picked up this name and have called Christians by this same name since their invasion of Christian lands in the 7th century. In recent years, Christians in the Middle East were labeled with the Arabic letter “nun” (“N” in our alphabet) by members of ISIS to show that they were “Nazarenes,” a name meant to shame them, but instead worn as a mark of faith by those so labeled.

The apostle Paul was essentially marked with the letter “N” for Nazarene. Yet he too, wore it not with shame, but with humble faith in the One who was first called the Nazarene.

PRAYER: Dear Father, what the world means for shaming, we see as glory. For we are humbled to wear the name of the Nazarene. Strengthen us to carry the name of Jesus to every nation, tongue, and tribe. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“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).

From: July 6, 2019

PAUL’S FAITHFUL WITNESS

Paul was held prisoner by the Roman procurator of Judea, Marcus Antonius Felix for two years. Felix understood the religious culture of Judea better than most Romans, having married the daughter of Herod Agrippa I, Drusilla. Both of them divorced their first spouses in order to be together.

Paul’s captivity during these two years was not in a prison, but under the custody of a Roman officer who was instructed by Felix to allow him some freedom and for his friends to visit and attend to his needs. During this time, Felix often sent for Paul at his official residence in Caesarea Maritima, so that he and Drusilla could hear more about Paul’s faith in Christ. As Paul reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix often became frightened and sent Paul away until another time.

After two years, Felix was recalled to Rome. Some time later Drusilla and their son were visiting Pompeii, where they died in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Felix remarried a third time, and later died of tuberculosis.

One has to wonder what effect these two years of regular conversations with Paul had on Felix and Drusilla. As for Paul, his patience to share the gospel even while in chains, showed his singular focus on the Lord’s calling.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to be faithful in our witness, always taking about our faith in Christ even when we are in difficult circumstances. For You are always at work and we are often called to places where You want to offer the gospel through us. Strengthen us to be obedient during these times. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison” (Acts 24:27 NLT).

From: July 6, 2018

PAUL’S TWO YEARS IN CAESAREA MARITIMA

Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and delivered to Marcus Antonius Felix, the Roman Governor of Judea, at Caesarea Maritima (“By the Sea”). He was imprisoned there for two years, but was allowed the freedom to be visited by friends and receive help from them. Although it was the unscrupulous Felix who kept Paul there, hoping for a bribe and seeking favor with the Jewish leaders, surely it was God’s will for Paul to stay there for a while. For Paul had the freedom to regularly preach to Felix and his wife, Drusilla, the daughter of Herod Agrippa I. Paul also had the freedom to reach out to his Christian brothers and sisters in Israel, while being protected by mighty Rome from his Jewish enemies.

Caesarea Marítima was the major seaport for the Judean Province. It was a beautiful place. Herod’s summer palace was there. And so was the home of the Roman Governor. Paul was able to expand his ministry influence, while living in a Roman prison at this important crossroads. Soon Porcius Festus, the new governor, would hear Paul’s testimony and ultimately send him on to Rome to appeal to Caesar.

“For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5 NKJV).

From: July 6, 2017

Some of the same group of Jewish leaders who had accused Jesus before Pontius Pilate, now traveled to Caesarea to bring accusation against the apostle Paul before the Roman governor, Felix. This time, they hired a Roman orator and attorney named Tertullus to represent their case. He began his accusation by complimenting “noble” Felix and the Romans for the Pax Romana that they had brought to Judea. And in contrast, he named Paul, with ad hominem disdain, a “plague,” a pestilence, among the Jews throughout the Roman world. Yet, his climatic charge was that Paul was a “ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,” using the same name that they had given Jesus, namely, Jesus of Nazareth.

The Greek word translated “sect” is the origin of our word for “heresy.” So, the Jews called the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, a heretical sect called “Nazarenes.” Muslims picked up this name and have called Christians by this same name since their invasion of Christian lands in the 7th century. Recently, the Christians in Mosul, Iraq, were labeled with the Arabic letter “nun” (“N” in our alphabet) by members of ISIS to show that they were “Nazarenes,” a name meant to shame them, but instead worn as a mark of faith by those so labeled.

The apostle Paul was essentially marked with the letter “N” for Nazarene. Yet he too, wore it not with shame, but with humble faith in the One who was first called the Nazarene.

“having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. ” (Acts 24:15 ESV)

From: July 6, 2016

Paul’s defense before the Roman governor Felix was simple, yet profound. While it was aimed at showing that he affirmed the same Scriptures and God that his accusers did, it also had the effect of elevating even the governor’s awareness that there was a court higher than Rome’s. Paul’s hope was in God. Not in Rome, nor Jerusalem. But in God alone. The only judge in whom he hoped to find favor was the Lord and his hope was secured in Christ as his advocate.

“I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust” (Acts 24:15 NKJV)

From: July 6, 2015

Paul’s defense before the Roman governor Felix was simple, yet profound. While it was aimed at showing that he affirmed the same Scriptures and God that his accusers did, it also had the effect of elevating even the governor’s awareness that there was a court higher than Rome’s. Paul’s hope was in God. Not in Rome, nor Jerusalem. But in God alone. The only judge in whom he hoped to find favor was the Lord and his hope was secured in Christ as his advocate.