July 7
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FELIX AVOIDS TRUTH PRESENTED BY PAUL
A poem by ILMA
Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the elders and Tertullus, the lawyer
He was to present their case against Paul to the governor and this is how he started
“We have found this man to be a troublemaker who’s always stirring up riots”
He is a ringleader of the Nazarenes and was trying to desecrate the Temple.
Tertullus told the governor to confirm what he said and the Jews seconded
Paul started to speak after motioned to, “I am glad to present my defense before you
I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple
He said that his accusers cannot prove the things they accuse him off.
Paul admitted that he followed the Way, which they called a cult
He added he believed in God and that he has the same hope these men had
At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing
“Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.”
He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom
He was allowed friends to visit and take care of his needs
Paul preached about the coming judgment to Felix and Druscilla, his wife
Felix was frightened and told Paul to leave and come back when it’s convenient.
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MEMORY VERSE
Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.”– Acts 24:25
Read: Acts 24
What an interesting way Felix reacted to hearing the truth from Paul. He told him to go and he’ll call for him again when it is more convenient. Don’t many people do this all the time? When things are uncomfortable and we hear the truth, we run away from it or deny it.
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REFLECTION
• Why do people think that running is a better option than facing truth?
• What was the Jewish leaders accusations to Paul?
Tag Archives: Acts 21
PAUL’S ARREST Poem Devotional
July 3
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PAUL’S ARREST
A poem by ILMA
The whole city was rocked by the accusations to Paul and a riot ensued
Paul was grabbed and dragged out of the Temple and gates closed
As they were trying to kill him, word reached the commander
The Roman commander of the regimen heard of the uproar.
He immediately called out his soldiers and officers and ran the crowd
When the mob saw the commander and the troops, they stopped beating Paul
Then the commander arrested Paul and ordered him bound in chains
He asked the crowd who he was and what he has done.
Since he couldn’t find out the truth in all the uproar the confusion
He ordered Paul to be taken to the fortress but the mob was so violent
The soldiers had to lift him to their soldiers to protect him
The crowd followed behind, shouting “Kill him, kill him!”
As Paul was about to be taken inside, he asked to commander for a word with him
The commander asked if he was the Egyptian who led a rebellion
Paul replied “I am a Jew and a citizen of Tarsus in Cilicia
He asked the commander to talk to the people and he agreed.
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MEMORY VERSE
As Paul reached the stairs, the mob grew so violent the soldiers had to lift him to their shoulders to protect him. – Acts21:35
Read: Acts 21:30-38
The reaction of the crowd to Paul was so unthinkable. For someone who has done nothing wrong but to follow the Holy Spirit, it is evident how corrupt Jerusalem has become. They needed someone to blame and condemn and just like they did to Jesus, they are actually repeating it on Paul
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think the crowd was so violently and vehemently adamant to kill and persecute Paul? What ticked them off?
PAUL ROCKS JERUSALEM Poem Devotional
July 2
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PAUL ROCKS JERUSALEM
A poem by ILMA
Some believers from Caesarea packed their things and left for Jerusalem
They went to the home of Mnason, who is from Cyprus and one of the early believers
When they arrived, the brothers and sisters welcomed them warmly
The next day, Paul met with James and all the church elders were present.
After greeting them, Paul gave a detailed account of what they’ve accomplished
He reminded them that God’s Spirit was constantly with them as they preached
The leaders confronted Paul telling him that in Jerusalem they heard his teaching
That Paul was making the Jewish custom of circumcision removed from their practice.
They instructed Paul to go with four men who have completed their vow
They should ritually shave their heads and go through purification
Paul went to the Temple the next day with the four men
He announced publicly the date when their vows would end.
The seven days were almost ended when some Jews from Asia roused a mob
They grabbed Paul and started yelling “This is the man who preaches against the law.”
The whole city was rocked by these accusations and a great riot followed.
The Roman regiment came to stop the uproar and the crowds beating on Paul.
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MEMORY VERSE
The whole city was rocked by these accusations and a great riot followed. Paul was grabbed and dragged out of the Temple and immediately the gates were closed behind him. – Acts 21:30
Read: Acts 21:15-32
This story of Paul arriving at Jerusalem and being questioned by the elders about him dissolving the law concerning circumcision almost reminds me of Jesus’ trial. They were both publicly questioned and because of people’s bondage to the law, they wanted to kill Paul, just like they did with Jesus as well.
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REFLECTION
• Why do people get into legalism? Why do you think Paul was persecuted like Jesus?
UNSTOPPABLE PAUL Poem Devotional
July 1
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UNSTOPPABLE PAUL
A poem by ILMA
After saying farewell to the Ephesian elders, Paul sailed to island of Cos
The next day they reached Rhodes and then headed to Patara
They boarded a ship headed to Phoenicia and landed in Tyre in Syria
The ship unloaded its cargo and they went ashore and found local believers.
Paul and the rest stayed with the believers and they told him a prophecy
They prophesied through the Holy Spirit that he shouldn’t go to Jerusalem
When they returned to the ship at the end of the week, everyone left
They came down to the shore with the apostles, prayed and bid them goodbye.
The next stop after leaving Tyre was Ptolemais, where they stayed a day
The next day they went to Caesarea and stayed at Philip the Evangelist
Philip had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy
Several days later, Agabus who had the same prophecy begged Paul to stay.
Paul reminded all the believers that there is no need for weeping
He said that they are breaking his heart for he is ready for anything
He is willing not only to be jailed but also to die for the Lord’s sake
When Paul couldn’t be convinced, they let the Lord’s will be done.
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MEMORY VERSE
I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus. – Acts 21:13
Read: Acts 21:1-13
There is no one who can surpass the passion and faithfulness that Paul had to bring the Good News to both Jews and Gentiles alike. He was willing risk everything to continue his journey to Jerusalem even to be a prisoner or to die for Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• Will you be willing to take all the risk even your own life for the sake of Jesus?
• Why do you think Paul was unstoppable to go to Jerusalem despite knowing all the danger and risks?