Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for July 8

“I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26:17-18 NKJV)

From: July 8, 2015

Paul gave his faith testimony before the Roman governor Festus and the last of the House of Herod, King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice. In his testimony, he quoted the calling that Christ had given him. First, he was one “sent” (“I now send you”). The Greek word for this is apostolos. Paul was an apostle of Jesus. Second, his ministry was to lead people into the light of the gospel and set them free from Satanic lies, so that they might “receive” the forgiveness that Christ offers. Both Festus and Agrippa reacted to Paul’s testimony. Festus thought him mad, while Agrippa admitted that he was nearly persuaded. Both decided Paul was innocent of the Jewish leaders accusations. And both remained unchanged spiritually. Festus continued in spiritual darkness, failing to comprehend the light. And Agrippa continued in bondage to sin, incestuously loving his sister Bernice and idolizing Rome. Yet, Paul had fulfilled his calling. He had shared the testimony that Christ had commissioned him to give. Some people choose to remain in ignorance, while others willfully choose to love their sin over submitting to Christ as Lord and Savior.

“But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest…” (Acts 26:22 NLT)

From: July 8, 2014

Leadership gurus often instruct their clients to write a personal purpose statement to bring focus to their life. Paul was a man who often declared his personal purpose statement. Here, he announced his purpose to “testify to everyone” about the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. When a life is lived with such singular purpose, it burns like a laser with focused energy. Paul said, “This one thing I do,” not these thousand things I dabble in (Phil.3:13). What’s your life purpose?

“God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike” (Acts 26:22-23)

From: July 8, 2012

Paul’s testimony before Festus and Agrippa is an example for us today. God has given us a purpose- to testify to everyone of the Christ.

From: July 8, 2011

011 – “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
Agrippa’s response to Paul’s testimony. That the Roman Gov. Festus would invite him as a religious expert is ironic. Agrippa was the last Herod to reign. He never married, sharing his throne and bed with his sister, Bernice. They heard a clear presentation of the gospel, so they are without excuse.