Today's Passage - Acts 24:10-21

Acts 24:10-21   When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: "I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense.  You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.  My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.  And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.  However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.  So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man...  I shouted as I stood in their presence: 'It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'"   When Paul had the opportunity to defend himself in front of governor Felix, he first refuted the accusation that he was stirring up the world.  The lawyer of Paul's opponents, Tertullus, accused him of being a troublemaker who went around to stir up riots among the Jews.  It actually wasn't Paul who stirred up the riots, but the Jews rioted on their own.  Paul told them that he was in Jerusalem for twelve days and was arrested before he did anything, so there was no way that he caused the riots.   From a spiritual perspective, we wish that the gospel could spread around quickly and widely like a spiritual plague.  We need the spiritual power and fire in our life like Paul had.  Fire cannot be concealed, so when one had fire in his heart it will be obvious from the outside and become visible to others.  Fire can also easily spread out and often cannot be contained.  In the ministry of the gospel, we really need God to give us fire like Paul had.   Paul also publicly acknowledged the resurrection of Jesus.  Resurrection didn't just happen, for the Lord's death was planned by God and a historical fact.  Jewish historian Josephus wrote about the fact that disciples of Jesus were spreading the news of His resurrection after death, and he also mentioned about the empty tomb of Jesus, which were indeed historical facts.  Paul stood firm for the truth; he fought for the truth and died for the truth.  May the Lord give us the same fire in our hearts to fight for the truth like Paul did!   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because we saw that the fire inside Paul came from you.  May you place the same fire inside us so that we would make greater effort in spreading the gospel and let the people around us believe you and accept you.  Bless the brothers and sisters and help them to stand firm for the truth.  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.