Today's Passage - Acts 23:1-11

Acts 23:1-11   Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, "My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day."  At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth...  Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead"...  The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."   Started from the time of this passage, Paul spent rest of his life in custody and went through many rounds of trials and persecution.  The Lord, however, gave his strength to stand firm in the midst of all the hardship that he had to endure.  In verse 11, Lord stood by Paul and said "As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."  There are two aspects to the strength that supported Paul.  First it was the presence of the Lord, which is the main source of momentum in our lives, like what the Psalm says: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."   When Paul stood in midst of Pharisees and Sadducees, the Spirit of God gave him wisdom.  Paul was persecuted because he was preaching about resurrection from death.  He knew that this subject has caused great controversies among Pharisees and Sadducees, so as soon as he brought it up it surely caused the Pharisees and Sadducees to start debating each other.  The center of attention shifted from Paul to the subject of resurrection and thus he escaped from further persecution.  The present of the Lord truly gave Paul sufficient wisdom.   Not only did the presence of God help Paul, the promises from God also provided tremendous momentum to Paul.  God told him that "as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."  No matter how much hardship Paul had to endure, he would not die before reaching Rome because God clearly told him that he would be testifying for God in Rome.  Also, as stated in Acts 28, when Paul encountered big storm he was not intimidated at all, because he knew that the Lord's promise will be fulfilled.  When we serve God, we must clearly know that the Lord is with us, and the Lord's promises are our most reliable source of momentum.  Let us depend God each and every day!   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because your presence is so real in our daily life, and your promises will always be fulfilled.  Teach us to depend on you every day so that we may lead a victorious life.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!    Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow the project on Facebook ! Help us to reach our Phase I Target, and witness how God expands His Kingdom on earth!  Click here to donate online.