House2HouseMD

The Almost Converted King Agrippa Sometimes, God will allow us the opportunity to meet some of this world’s “important” people and/or “movers and shakers”. Paul’s trial is doing exactly that for him. Today, Paul meets the “who is who” – King Agrippa and his sister Bernice; governor Festus and other “great people” in the province. Paul was not here to collect autographs but will use this chance to speak boldly about Christ and the salvation He offers. May we never squander our own opportunities; whether it is meeting the owner of the company, the president of your institution or the CEO or any of the political leaders of our time. Our natural incline is to seek what “movers and shakers” can give/do for us (networking in today’s language), but we should give them what we have – Christ. Most often than not, they lack what we have. Let us be givers instead of takers. Acts 26 1Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So Paul motioned with his hand a...

Paul at the Hands of Governor Festus the Nice Guy We will meet a lot of people along the journey of life who are just simply nice. God uses these people to further his call on our lives and advance his kingdom through us. They may not necessarily be Christians or believe the way we believe, but God have appointed them. Governor Festus is now in power in this province. The wishy-washy Felix is gone. He was relieved of his post by Rome for not handling some disturbances in a proper manner. What can we learn from Apostle Paul and Governor Festus during this phase of Paul’s trial and ultimate journey to Rome? We learn balance from Festus and steadfastness from Apostle Paul. We also us learn that death can come unexpectedly in the case of Governor Festus. “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90: 12. Acts 25: 1-23 1Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, 2where the chief priests and Jewish leaders ap...

Paul at the hands of Governor Felix’s Political Correctness You may think political correctness started in our day. Not really. In our day, the issue of sanctity of marriage is being politicized. The politicians fearing backlash are willing to talk from both sides of their mouths. Some of them say they stand for marriage as ordained by God (man and woman) but are willing to appease the crowd with civil unions. They don’t even want to call it what it is, homosexual marriages. We see truth being veiled and justice denied or delayed in the hands of those who are in the power to do so. No wonder we are asked to first pray for our leaders so they will do what is right (1Tim 2:1-2). Lord, help our leaders to live Holy Spirit filled lives so as to have courage to do what is right. Amen. In today’s study, we come across Governor Felix who knows the truth but in order to appease the Jews would not deliver the right judgment on the case of Apostle Paul. He decides to keep Paul under house arrest...

GOD’S WILL FOR YOU IN 2010 How did you usher in the New Year? Well let me tell you about mine. We were invited to a birthday/end of year party at our across-the-street neighbor’s house. It was a great party and with lots of kids and adults. We had a good time getting to learn and eat food from a different culture than we are used to. Well it came time for the drinks and I reluctantly opted for half a glass of table wine. You see, I am very “lighted headed” so I know that I do not do too well with wine or any alcohol. I know some of you can handle it better than me. Anyway, the rest of the evening was different for me. The little wine took over and I became very sleepy. I did not last too long afterwards and we walked home (after we had prayed with everyone at the party). Subsequently, I went straight to bed. The Lord reminded me that this is how He wants me to be “controlled and influenced” by His Holy Spirit in 2010. This is God’s will for me and if you accept, for you in 2010. “For ...

Apostle Paul before the Sanhedrin The destination for Paul is Rome in this extraordinary journey of taking the gospel to all the “ends of the earth”. God in his perfect design and in control of all world history allows and uses everything for his glory including the then reigning civilization – the Roman Empire. Rome being the capital of the then world had the infrastructure to initiate the spread of the Gospel to all over the world. But before Paul will get to Rome, he would have to stand at least four trials – before the Sanhedrin, Governors Felix and Festus, and King Agrippa. The Sanhedrin is “the Supreme Jewish court, consisting of 70 to 100 men”. The Commander who now has custody of Paul after his arrest wants to give the Jewish court a chance to hear Paul’s case. In between the hearings, there were plots by the Jews to kill Paul and God would foil each of those plans. Read about how God used Paul’s nephew to foil one of these plans (Acts 23: 12-22). If God is behind your mission...

The Power of Our Testimony Apostle John had been given “the revelation of Jesus of Christ” for us his servants. John recorded, “10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. 12Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:10-12). As we continue our study in Acts 22, Apostle Paul countered the opposition and his accusers by telling his testimony of personal salvation, knowledge and experience with Christ. People can argue about anything but no one can argue with you about your p...

Free Press for the Gospel Once again, we need to remind ourselves of the purpose of the Book of Acts. Dr. Luke through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit has documented the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). As we come to Acts 21, we see how God will use circumstances beyond Paul’s control to start the journey that will bring Paul to Rome which was then the world’s capital for the purpose of the gospel. From here on it is going to be hardship and trials for Paul until he gets to Rome. In the meantime, the gospel is getting free press and Paul is offered a platform to proclaim the gospel. Are the circumstances in your life and my life offering God free press for the spread of the gospel? Or, are we only full of complaints and always seeking for justice to be done? Life is not fair on this side of eternity so let’s take advantage of it for God’s glory to be exemplified in our lives. Let’s see what happened to Apostle Paul. Ac...