Pat's View: Inspirational stories

Sometimes hurt doesn't knock politely. It doesn't schedule an appointment. It doesn't ease into your day.

It hits without warning — like a rock launched from a passing car window, exploding through the calm of your heart.

You hear the thud, the crack, the shatter. You hear the crash before you understand the wound. You feel the sting before you can form the words.

And suddenly you're standing in the doorway of your own soul, fists raised, trembling, wanting to…do something…something?? But what?

The knee-jerk reactions of anger, revenge, payback are not godly…so what do you do?

It's the helplessness of being blindsided. The ache of being wronged. The shock of realizing someone aimed their meanness at you.

And in that moment — that raw, trembling moment — you know you must forgive.

You've seen the price tag of unforgiveness!

It cost way more than you're willing to pay…

Matthew 6:15 doesn't mince words. It says exactly what it means. "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours."

You've seen the bitterness, the torment and the pain that withers a person living in the prison house of unforgiveness.

Forgiveness is not a feeling. It is a choice.

A choice made at the foot of the cross.

A choice that demands Surrender. Trust. Grace.

Jesus longs to comfort His children, but we must come close enough to receive His peace. Discover how lingering in God's Presence brings lasting comfort.

Have you ever noticed that some people seem impossible to stop?

No matter what comes against them, they keep moving forward.

That is Paul in Acts 28.

The storm of Acts 27 is over. The ship has been destroyed. The passengers have barely escaped with their lives. Most of us would be ready for a long nap and a quiet season.

Not Paul.

The moment he reaches shore, he begins serving.

When others would have focused on their hardships, Paul focused on his mission.

Acts 28 reminds us that God's purpose is greater than our obstacles. Storms may delay us, shipwrecks may detour us, and hardships may challenge us, but none of them can stop what God has determined to accomplish through a surrendered life.

As we come to the final chapter of Acts, we discover a powerful truth: when you belong to God and walk in His purpose, no storm, no snake, and no chain can stop His plan.

Let look at this chapter beginning with verse 1 Once we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta.

2 The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire and welcomed all of us because it was raining and cold.

3 Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand.

While, I don't like snakes, this is one that we have to check out. This one is not your garden, harmless variety, it is a viper, that means poisonous, and the snake bites Paul and then and remains attached by its fangs! That is a scary scene! SCARY SCENE!!! And the next verse please…

4 When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live."

5 But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.

What?

6 The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

1. A viper came out of the fire.
2. It fastened itself to Paul's hand.
3. The islanders expected him to die.
4. He suffered no ill effects.

Think about it:

• Survived a hurricane.
• Survived a shipwreck.
• Swam ashore.
• Gathering firewood to help others.
• Gets attacked by a viper.

And his response?

He shook it off into the fire and kept serving.

That's a picture of Spirit-filled resilience.

The enemy attacks. The storm swirls around us. Discouragement tries to stop us.

Paul's response:

Shake it off and keep serving.

7 Nearby stood an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.

8 The father of Publius was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after praying and placing his hands on him, he healed the man.

Un huh! You heard that right! That's what the Bible says!! God's healing power flowed through Paul and the man was healed.

9 After this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured as well.

10 The islanders honored us in many ways and supplied our needs when we were ready to sail.

Acts 28:16 When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

17 After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. He explained why he was there and the chargers against him.

21 The leaders replied, "We have not received any letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the brothers from there reported or even mentioned anything bad about you.

22 But we consider your views worth hearing, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect."

23 So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

24 Some of them were convinced by what he said,

but others refused to believe.

25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

26 'Go to this people and say,

"You will be ever hearing but never understanding;

you will be ever seeing but never perceiving."

27 For this people's heart has grown callous;

they hardly hear with their ears,

and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

hear with their ears,

understand with their hearts,

and turn, and I would heal them.'

"Fear not, Paul; you must stand before Caesar."

God fulfilled that promise.

The storm did not stop God's plan.

The shipwreck did not stop God's plan.

The imprisonment did not stop God's plan.

Paul reached Rome.

He preached Christ there.

And eventually, after years of faithful service, he gave his life for His beloved Savior and Lord.

That makes Paul's declaration during the storm even more powerful:

"I believe God." (Acts 27:25)

He believed God in the storm, and he continued believing God all the way to the executioner's sword and onto the streets of gold where he has seen Jesus.

Because this book is about the Acts of the Holy Spirit, then we must realize Holy Spirit is still God's active agent in the Earth today. He is still partnering with BELIEVERS that dare TO BELIEVE GOD for signs, wonders and miracles in our life time…for our generation!

Are you one of those believers!

In Acts 27, I want to take you to an event that I absolutely want to hear all the details about when I get to heaven.

I've read this story many times, and every time I do, I find myself wishing I could have stood on that ship and watched it unfold.

This is more than a story about a storm.

It's more than a story about a shipwreck.

It's a miracle before the miracle.

The winds screamed.

The waves towered like mountains.

For days the passengers could not see the sun, moon, or stars. The ship groaned under the relentless pounding of hurricane-force winds. Every wave threatened to tear it apart.

Death seemed certain.

Yet in the middle of the darkness, one man stood with unshakable confidence.

Not because the storm had ended.

Not because the ship was safe.

Not because he could see a way out.

Paul had peace because God had spoken.

Dear friend, that is the miracle before the miracle.

· the rescue came the promise.

· deliverance came faith.

· the shipwreck came 3 powerful words:

I BELIEVE GOD.

and watch what happens when a man who belongs to God chooses to trust Him in the middle of life's fiercest storm.

Julius, a centurion, was assigned to accompany him to Rome. Julius was kind to Paul. Paul was given permission to visit his friends while they were docked in Sidon.

In spite of all Julius' kindness, the journey was far from pleasant.

The storm season was approaching. No one wanted to risk their ships trying to sail then. They needed to get to Fair Havens quickly and then on to Rome. They lost valuable sailing time, but finally they reached The Fair Havens much later than they had planned.

"We must spend the winter here. I know in my Spirit that if we sail, this trip will be disastrous! There is danger in losing the ship and the goods, but more important our very lives."

It doesn't look stormy to me. We've sailed through the worst of the storms and we're alive to tell it. Would I risk my ship, if I thought it was too late to sail?" The helmsman and the ship's owner agreed they should set sail immediately.

godly warning, the centurion agreed with the ship's owner and the helmsman. The ship set sail on a glorious, balmy morning. A gentle breeze caught the sails, sending them on their way. The ship master relaxed on the gentle seas.

the sky began to grow dark. Quickly, the winds began to blow. A strong southeastern wind began to kick up the seas.

These strong hurricane force winds beat the ocean into tall mountain-like waves. The ship was caught in the winds. The ship master tried to head straight into the wind, the safest place, but the ship was caught in the strong, hurricane force gales.

The wind drove the ship to the top of the waves and then it dropped to the bottom trough of the wave like a roller coaster without a track.

The winds howled and the mountain-like waves crashed around them. The ship tossed up and down and back and forth on the churning sea.

around the ship to keep it from breaking into pieces as the winds and waves pounded the ship. They tried everything to save the ship. They knew they were nearing sand bars and worried that they might crash on one. The winds continued to howl. They lightened the ship as much as they could, so they would ride higher in the water.

The waves crashed against the boat. They cast the ships tackling into the furious ocean. The violent storm continued. The thick, black clouds covered the sky day and night. For days no one had seen the light of day or even a star twinkling in the sky.

They were much too sea sick to stomach anything. Yet their stomachs ached with emptiness. Everyone feared that they would die in the terrible storm.

Everyone except Paul, that is.

he yelled above the roar of the seas to his shipmates.

"Fellows, you should have listened to me. We should have never left Crete.

Although we will lose the ship, we will suffer no loss of life.

An angel of God,

TO WHOM I BELONG AND WHOM I SERVE CONTINUALLY,

stood by me last night.

He said `Fear not Paul;

thou must be brought before Caesar.

Oh dear friend there are benefits that come with belonging to God. There are benefits for those that serve HIM continually! Please don't forget that. Let that confidence fill you when you are tempted to grumble, when you are tempted to skip reading the Word or obeying it.

There is no degree of self-confidence

that compares to

the confidence that comes

when you KNOW

YOU BELONG TO THE KING OF KINGS!

"God hath given you all that sail with you.'

Now, I want you fellows to cheer up.

I BELIEVE GOD

it will happen just like the angel told me it would.

This ship is gonna crash, but we're going to be cast onto an

island."

I BELIEVE GOD!

those 3 little words really are!

Paul's confidence wasn't in His sailing skills. His confidence wasn't in the ship. It's so important for you to see Paul's confidence came from knowing one thing:

I belong to God.

And because he belonged to God, he could say:

I BELIEVE GOD.

But PAUL HAD PEACE.

Peace while the storm was raging around him.

I mean raging, this is the kind of storm that people die in, but Paul knew the outcome of this story...of this storm.

This storm was bigger than the boat

they cowered in,

but it was NOT BIGGER

than the God that Paul trusted in!

Dear Father, thank you for the promise in Scripture that because we have been born into your family, we belong to you!!! Help us to serve you continually and trust you, really trust you so we can say and it really be true, I BELIEVE GOD. Thank you, Almighty God, you are bigger than any storm that rages around us. In the Precious Name of Jesus! Amen.

Acts 26: The Testimony That Almost Persuaded a King

Have you ever wished you could sit in the room and listen as Paul shared his testimony?

Acts 26 gives us that opportunity.

After years of false accusations, imprisonment, and delays, Paul finally stands before King Agrippa just like God told him! He is a prisoner in chains, yet he is not defeated. Instead of focusing on his hardships, Paul seizes the opportunity to tell the story of what Jesus has done in his life.

This chapter is much more than a courtroom defense. It is a powerful testimony of God's grace, redemption, and calling. Paul recounts his dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and explains the mission that has guided every step of his life since.

As I read Paul's open, heartfelt story, my heart is stirred. Paul speaks with confidence and boldness, revealing far more than facts and details to King Agrippa. He opens the deepest places of his heart. He shares his past, his failures, his encounter with Jesus, and the mission that changed his life forever.

As we walk through Acts 26 together, I hope you'll notice something important: Paul never lost sight of his purpose. His circumstances changed. His audience changed. His freedom was taken away. But his calling remained the same.

Let's listen carefully. Paul's testimony still has the power to challenge, encourage, and inspire us today.

Look with me.

Acts 25:13 After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.

Since they were going to be there for several days, Festus told King Agrippa about Paul's case and asked for his opinion. King Agrippa was intrigued and wanted to hear what Paul had to say. Festus told him that he would arrange that for the next day.

King Agrippa and his sister Bernice entered the auditorium with a stately grandeur that gave the room a sense of heightened importance.

Acts 26:1 Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself."

Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:

2 "King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today to defend myself against all the accusations of the Jews,

3 especially since you are acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen to me patiently.

4 Surely all the Jews know how I have lived from my earliest childhood among my own people, and also in Jerusalem.

5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.

6 And now I stand on trial because of my hope in the promise that God made to our fathers,

7 the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by the Jews.

Look at Paul's powerful, soul-searching question:

8 Why would any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

Paul does more than tell us what he did. He unfolds the recesses of his soul as he describes the depth of his rage and anger against Jesus.

9 So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

10 And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them.

11 I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

12 In this pursuit I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.

13 About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions.

14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'

15 'Who are You, Lord?' I asked.

'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied.

16 'But get up and stand on your feet.

For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant

and as a witness of what you have seen from Me

and what I will show you.

17 I will rescue you

from your own people

and from the Gentiles.

I am sending you to them

18 to open their eyes,

so that they may turn from darkness to light

and from the power of Satan to God,

that they may receive forgiveness of sins

and an inheritance among those

sanctified by faith in Me.'

19 So then, King Agrippa,

I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.

Wow! Can you say that?

Just as Saul saw the great light, when you were saved you responded to the light of the revelation of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Have you been obedient to that heavenly vision?

20 First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles,

I declared that they should repent and turn to God,

performing deeds worthy of their repentance.

Repentance is turning to God and away from sin.

But Paul didn't stop with heartfelt repentance. He continues by saying your actions, behaviors, and the way you live need to be different. The word worthy here is related to a scale—the old-fashioned metal T-bar balance scale with cups hanging from each end of the crossbar.

Paul is saying you need to weigh your actions. Does this action balance with what God has done in your heart? Does this action fall short of the way God wants you to live according to Scripture? Is this action congruent with God's plan for your life as revealed in His Word?

Your actions matter. Guard your thoughts and your heart because they affect your actions. Your actions affect your testimony.

21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.

22 But I have had God's help to this day,

and I stand here to testify to small and great alike.

I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen:

23 that the Christ would suffer,

and as the first to rise from the dead,

would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles."

Festus accused Paul of being insane.

25 But Paul answered, "I am not insane, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and sobriety.

26 For the king knows about these matters, and I can speak freely to him. I am confident that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do."

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Can you persuade me in such a short time to become a Christian?"

29 "Short time or long," Paul replied, "I wish to God that not only you but all who hear me this day may become what I am, except for these chains."

30 Then the king and the governor rose, along with Bernice and those seated with them.

31 On their way out, they said to one another, "This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment."

Acts 25: Paul Preached the Power of the Resurrection

In Acts 25, Paul is brought before the new Roman governor Festus. King Agrippa comes for a polite welcoming visit. Festus asks for King Agrippa's advice concerning Paul.

It's only a single sentence, perhaps Festus, the new governor of Caesarea, hardly felt it worth mentioning, but he was processing his thoughts and asking for King Agrippa's advice on Paul's case. While it might have seemed insignificant to Festus, it was and continues to be a foundational truth that every believer embraces.

Let me show you what Festus said to King Agrippa about Paul's accusers. Acts 25:18 But when his accusers rose to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.

19They only

had some contentions

with him regarding their own religion

and a certain Jesus

who had died,

but whom Paul

affirmed to be alive.

Oh, Festus, if you only knew the power of that truth! JESUS IS ALIVE. You saw the problem correctly, the religious leaders didn't want what Paul believed and preached, the resurrection of Jesus, to be true. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, angels or an afterlife, while the Pharisees believed in the resurrection, angels and an afterlife. They didn't get along with each very well, but both the Pharisees and Sadducees agreed on one thing, they wanted to kill Jesus. BUT, when they succeeded at killing him, they couldn't keep Him dead.

Listen to what Peter says about Jesus' resurrection in

Acts 2:24 But God raised Him from the dead,

releasing Him from the agony of death,

because it was impossible

for death to keep Him in its grip.

Keeping Jesus dead was impossible!

The Resurrection is God's way of saying:

"Yes. Everything Jesus said is true."

It's like God was stamping Jesus' life and words with a divine AMEN.

Because of the deep-rooted belief of the Sadducees concerning the resurrection, their teachings influenced some believers. Paul addressed the need for solid biblical teaching on the resurrection, which he covered at length, in his first letter to the Corinthians.

He made it abundantly clear that the resurrection was not a whispered rumor, instead Jesus was seen by over 500 people after his resurrection.

Paul preached the resurrection as a foundational truth.

1 Corinthians 15: 12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith.

The tomb was empty! It's more than an Easter story. It's true!

The reality of the resurrection changes everything.

Because the tomb is empty, anything is possible!

Because Jesus is alive, we have a new covenant.

Hebrews 12:24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

If the cross is the signing of the covenant,

the Resurrection is God's signature of approval.

The Resurrection says:

• The sacrifice was accepted

• The covenant is valid

• Jesus is the eternal, living Mediator of the New Covenant

Hebrews 13: 20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

• His blood established the covenant

• His Resurrection activates and sustains it

The cross established the covenant, but the Resurrection guarantees it.

The "new covenant" means:

• forgiveness of sins

• a new heart

• God's Spirit living within us

• a restored relationship with God

• access to God without barriers

Because Jesus is alive, sin is defeated.

Romans 4:25 BSB He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification.

In other words:

• The cross deals with sin

• The Resurrection proves the deal is done

Because Jesus is alive, we have access to God.

Ephesians 3:12 BSB

In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God's presence with boldness and confidence.

I don't reiterate these things because I don't think you know them, I state them so you will access them, testify of them and walk them out in your everyday life.

Dear Father, I pray the words of Hebrews 13 20, 21 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

If you've ever waited impatiently at the microwave or wished it would hurry up, then Acts 24 is for you. (And by the way, if you do that, you and I are on the same "wavelength". Snicker. Snicker.")

Five days later Ananias the high priest, the elders and Tertullus a lawyer and skilled orator arrived in Caesarea. First, he flatters Felix, then makes 3 charges against Paul.

stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world.

He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,

6and he even tried to desecrate the temple;

so we seized him.

10When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: "Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.

I arrived in Jerusalem to worship in the temple no more than 12 days ago. They never saw me arguing in the temple or stirring up trouble on the streets. They cannot prove I committed any of these accusations.

18 At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia

19 who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.

22 Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, "When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case."

to keep Paul under guard,

but to allow him some freedom

and permit his friends to minister to his needs.

Felix continued to call for Paul to speak with him, hoping for a bribe (Acts 24:26). Felix was deeply affected but never publicly acted on the gospel that Paul shared.

His political delay stretched Paul's detention to two full years.

WAIT is a hard four-lettered word.

It can fill days with…

· Uncertainty

· Impatience

· Fear

· Doubt

· Pressure

· Restlessness

· Lack of Control

· Silence

· Delay

so I believe Paul learned to roll that HARD WORD "wait" over on Jesus.

at his very core, Paul trusted God.

His…

· timing.

· ability.

· love.

He believed God could use delays for His purposes (Romans 8:28)

a detailed emotional diary of his two‑year confinement under Felix, but he does write about his feelings, pressures, fears, and inner battles during a season of suffering.

brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia.

We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure,

so that we despaired even of life.

9 Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death,

in order that we would not trust in ourselves,

but in God, who raises the dead.

10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril,

and He will deliver us.

In Him we have placed our hope

that He will yet again deliver us,

11 as you help us by your prayers.

Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the favor

shown us in answer to their prayers.

it was way beyond spilling your coffee on yourself as you're coming out of the drive thru!

Look at his list of hardships.

23 …in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death.

24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.

26 In my frequent journeys, I have been in danger from rivers and from bandits, in danger from my countrymen and from the Gentiles, in danger in the city and in the country, in danger on the sea and among false brothers,

27 in labor and toil and often without sleep, in hunger and thirst and often without food, in cold and exposure.

28 Apart from these external trials, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with grief?

But he didn't!

How did he do it? Really, how did he do it?

I know the overarching truth is Paul simply walked with God--day by day, minute by minute and when he did, God did. Almighty God walked with Paul. He met Paul right where he was--day by day, minute by minute!

that I believe helped Paul to stand firm when life got incredibly hard.

that God uses to shape you, not an enemy to avoid.

Romans 5:2–5 BSB …And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,

because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5 And hope does not disappoint us,

because God has poured out His love into our hearts

through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

2 Cor 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Philippians 4:6–7 NIV Don't worry about anything;

instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need,

and thank him for all he has done.

7 Then you will experience God's peace,

which exceeds anything we can understand.

His peace will guard your hearts and minds

as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:12 I know how to live humbly,

and I know how to abound.

I am accustomed to any and every situation—

to being filled and being hungry,

to having plenty and having need.

13 I can do all things through

Christ who gives me strength

Father, help us to be strong believers that dare to believe you when troubles and trials come. Remind us that you have given us weapons that work, that you have already defeated satan and that we are overcomers through the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony. In the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.

Suddenly when the sound of one word, a single word hit their ears, rage filled the very atmosphere as they screamed "Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!" That one word that exploded the whole place into an uproar was "gentile".

We are starting in Acts 22, but we'll end up in chapter 23.

23 As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air,

24 the commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. He directed that Paul be flogged and interrogated to determine the reason for this outcry against him.

25 But as they stretched him out to strap him down, Paul said to the centurion standing there, "Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen without a trial?"

When they were realized that Paul was a Roman, they were frightened.

29 At once those who were about to interrogate Paul stepped back, and the commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put a Roman citizen in chains.

No beating this time.

The next morning the commander ordered the chief priests and Sanhedrin to assemble to find out why the Jews were accusing Paul. That interrogation quickly turned into a violent quarrel between the Sadducees and the Pharisees.

Acts 23:10 The dispute grew so violent that the commander was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the soldiers to go down and remove him by force and bring him into the barracks.

11The following night

the Lord

stood near Paul

and said, "Take courage!

As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem,

so also you must testify in Rome."

Take courage.

The cruelty of a savage mob cannot overpower the COURAGE OF GOD in the heart of a believer.

I want to say to you…

TAKE COURAGE, dear child of God. You may not have seen the Lord, or a vision, (Or maybe God has given you a vision. God still gives people visions.) But if you haven't had a vision, you have promises in SCRIPTURE that God has given you. NEVER underestimate the power of the Word of God. Take that promise, that nugget from Scripture, that God has quickened in your spirit. Stand on it. Grip it. Celebrate it! Voice it!

If you don't have one that comes to mind right this second, let me share this one with you.

2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong;

do not be discouraged,

for your work will be rewarded."

You may feel like it's too late, but I want to remind you…

It's not over until it's over. And it's not over until God says it's over.

God was preparing Paul for what would come next.

Paul's enemies gathered early the next morning. "I'm not going to eat a bite of food until Paul is dead," one man determined. The others agreed. They vowed with a curse that they wouldn't eat a bite of food until Paul was dead.

"Hey, I have an idea," another suggested. "We'll, get the council to ask the chief captain to bring Paul down for questioning. We'll be waiting for him. When he passes by, we'll jump him and kill him."

16 But when the son of Paul's sister heard about the plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.

Right time, right place to hear their diabolical plan. There are no coincidences, when you are a child of God!

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him."

18 So the centurion took him to the commander and said, "Paul the prisoner sent and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you."

19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside, and asked, "What do you need to tell me?"

20 He answered, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of acquiring more information about him.

21 Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent."

22 So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, "Do not tell anyone that you have reported this to me."

Quickly, the commander called for two centurions.

With hurried instructions, he ordered 200 soldiers to prepare to go to Caesarea. They would be guarded by 70 horsemen and 200 spear men. "Put Paul on a mount and guard him carefully until he reaches Felix, the governor. You are to leave at 9:00."

I get so happy when I see how lavishly God takes care of situations. Those 40 men thought they had a big group ready to kill Paul the next morning, while the commander had 470 seasoned military men rescuing Paul before they ever woke up!

It was a brilliant plan, but before Paul was even born,

God was orchestrating a piece of His divine protection plan for Paul. Paul's parents, were living in Tarsus when Paul was born. In Acts 22:28 Paul told the commander, "But I was born a citizen". Because Paul was a Roman citizen he could not be flogged or executed without a trial, which explains the extreme security measures that were taken to get Paul to Caesarea.

Oh, what a big, BIG God we serve! God loved Paul, but I want to remind you that He loves and cares for you too! He knew all about you before you were ever born! He knows the number of hairs on your head. If you only realized how much He tenderly loves you, you wouldn't be worried about anything right now. He's bigger than your biggest problems.

2 Chronicles 15:7 BSB "But as for you, be strong; do not be discouraged, for your work will be rewarded."

Dear Father, thank you for showing us your amazing protection plan that you designed precisely for Paul. Thank you that you are our shepherd. You protect us. You guide us in paths of righteousness for YOUR NAME'S SAKE. Help us to be aware of your tender love and constant presence. In the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.

We are beginning with Acts 21 and continuing the story into Acts 22.

I love Scripture, but so often I wonder how the person in the story felt when they walked through the events that Scripture unfolds. In this story, I wonder…

Jerusalem! Oh Jerusalem! Such a SPECIAL place! The temple was here. Jesus walked here. He had precious relationships here. Paul had so much to tell them.

He was excited to share that thousands of people had been saved. He told them about the miracles, the healings and the spiritual growth that had taken place. Paul's friends were thrilled to hear how quickly the gospel was spreading throughout the world.

Their excitement was not shared by everyone.

Paul wasn't in Jerusalem very long before he was recognized in the temple by people that believed he was teaching against Moses and the law. Some yelled, "This is the man that is teaching people everywhere beliefs that are against our law. He has brought Greeks into our holy temple. They have polluted our holy place of worship."

Their fury ignited a mob that drug Paul out of the temple into the streets.

They had only one intention, getting rid of this trouble maker once and for all. They were going to kill Paul.

The whole city was stirred up.

When the chief captain received the report of the turmoil, he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When the Jewish people saw the chief captain and the soldiers coming, they stopped beating Paul.

The chief captain arrested Paul. Paul was chained between two soldiers. "Tell me, The chief captain yelled, "Who are you? What have you done?"

The crowd answered for Paul. Some yelled one thing. Others yelled something else. When the captain couldn't understand anyone, he ordered the soldiers to bring Paul to the barracks.

Acts 21:35 When Paul reached the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.

36 For the crowd that followed him kept shouting, "Away with him!"

37 As they were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, "May I say something to you?"

"Do you speak Greek?" he replied.

39 But Paul answered, "I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people."

40 Having received permission, Paul stood on the steps

Here I go interrupting another verse!

Put yourself into the scene. Now look at Paul and all that has just happened to him. Describe Paul for me. What do you see?

I see…

A man aching with pain! Bloody. Dirty. Clothes torn.

More important, does Paul really believe he can defuse this crowd with his words?

But why would he even try?

He is literally steps away from quiet and safety…why bother with the mob that is trying to kill him? Why?

There could be dozens of reasons, but I believe his choices were fueled by Holy Spirit inspired purpose and not comfort. (Acts 20:24)

God had warned him that he would experience trouble in Jerusalem. His inner prompting of the Holy Spirit was confirmed by numerous prophecies. But Paul didn't run from the trouble.

I am convinced that the same Holy Spirit that warned him, strengthen him, empowered him to face it with wisdom and courage. Isn't that what Jesus was saying in Mark

Mark 13:11 But when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand what to say. Instead, speak whatever you are given at that time, for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

Acts 21:40 Having received permission, Paul stood on the steps

and motioned to the crowd.

A great hush

came over the crowd,

and he addressed them in Hebrew:

Wow! I see Paul's wisdom and God's goodness here.

God saw beyond the angry mob to see each person standing as an individual with a name, with their own story. Individuals that needed to experience the saving grace of Jesus.

I am inclined to look for God in every story, so I believe the great hush was a holy hush, God was with Paul. God didn't just warn Paul, He was with Paul to help him, regardless of why they grew so quiet.

Acts 22:1 BSB the story continues..."Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you."

2 When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more quiet.

Then Paul declared,

3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.

(He is establishing himself as one of them.)

4 I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison,

5 as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.

6 About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.

7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?'

8 'Who are You, Lord?' I asked.

'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' He replied.

Wait a minute!! Do you hear what Paul is doing?

He is preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to these people.

He is sharing his testimony of the transforming power of faith in Jesus Christ. He understood the power of sharing what God had done for him.

Let me ask you,

do you realize the intrinsic power of God's Word when it is shared with wisdom and love? Why did God inspire Luke to share this story with all the painful details- the beating-the pulling-chains?

Do you think maybe God is allowing us a glimpse into Paul's story so we can see Spirit filled living modeled for us?

Do you come to Scripture with that kind of bold faith? Listening, looking and searching to hear God's voice speaking to you in a personal way so that it shapes your beliefs, but also shapes the way you think and live. What does Spirit filled living look like?

Are you reading your Bible with Precious Holy Spirit? Ask Him to speak to you.

For Paul it meant preaching the gospel to an angry mob when he was steps away from safety…what does it look like in your life.

What is God saying to you? Get quiet and listen.

When you open your Bible to the Book of Acts, the title likely reads, The Acts of the Apostles. While the apostles certainly played a vital role, I am convinced Acts tells a much bigger story.

From the opening pages, the book pulses with the life, power, guidance, and activity of Precious Holy Spirit. He is the One empowering ordinary men and women to do extraordinary things. He directs, speaks, comforts, warns, fills, sends, and works miracles through believers who are yielded to Him.

The same Holy Spirit who hovered over the waters at Creation now hovers over the Church, bringing life, power, and purpose to God's people. Acts is not simply a record of what happened long ago; it is a living testimony of what happens when people partner with the Spirit of God.

As we journey through Acts, let's resist the temptation to place these stories in a museum of church history. The Holy Spirit has not changed. God's plan for His Church has not changed. The invitation remains the same: to live Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, and Spirit-empowered lives that continue the ministry of Jesus in the earth.

Acts is vibrating with the life and power of Precious Holy Spirit which resulted in the Acts of Precious Holy Spirit! Again and again, we see His gifts, the gifts of the Holy Spirit in operation. Gifts that must be plugged into His Presence and power to operate. We see that the glorious activities of the Holy Spirit were a normal, active and essential overflow of the Spirit-filled church. We see His power, guidance and influence woven into the very fabric of how the early church operated as they fulfilled the great commission of Jesus.

We see Holy Spirit throughout Scripture, but the first time we see Him is at Creation.

Gen 1: 2Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

The KJV says "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

The Topical Lexicon rachaph " רָחַף appears three times in the Old Testament, each occurrence portraying divine activity that is both protective and powerful. Whether describing the Spirit at creation, the faithful care of the covenant God, or the overwhelming impact of prophetic revelation, the verb underscores God's nearness in decisive moments."

We see Precious Holy Spirit brooding over the believers that make up the church, teaching them, guiding them and empowering them.

Because Holy Spirit hasn't changed and God's plan for the church hasn't changed, we shouldn't try to function without His active influence, power and guidance.

Galatians 3:3 Berean Standard Bible Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit,

are you now finishing in the flesh?

You remember Philip

8Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and

stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, (Eph 4:11 One of the Five-fold ministry gifts)

who was one of the Seven. (Acts 6 Philip was an elder before Samaria)

Miracles and Healings were taking place throughout the book of Acts.

5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them.

6The crowds gave their undivided attention to Philip's message

and to the signs they saw him perform.

7With loud shrieks, unclean spirits

came out of many who were possessed,

and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed.

8So there was great joy in that city.

The miracles that happened in Acts is the work of the Spirit continuing the ministry of Jesus through believers. These signs show that the same power that was in Jesus is now in the church.

Throughout Acts the Holy Spirit operating not only through the leaders but also ordinary people. It was normal Spirit led, Spirit filled living. The #1 way that God speaks to believers is through the Word of God. God's Word is the foundation of our faith. We see some ways in Acts that God speaks to believers.

Look how the Holy Spirit talked to Philip.

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza."

In this case God spoke to him through an angel. But look at verse 29.

29 The Spirit said to Philip, "Go over to that chariot and stay by it."

The Holy Spirit spoke to him. My dear reader, if you are a born-again believer God speaks to you! Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me."

Look with me in just a few of the times that we see God speaking to believers in Acts.

· In Acts, the Holy Spirit speaks through:

• Direct voice
• Prophets
• Visions and dreams
• Inner promptings
• Scripture
• Community discernment
• Spirit‑directed circumstances

The Spirit was not silent — He was an active communicator of the early church, guiding, warning, encouraging, empowering, and sending. He hasn't changed, but His church has.

Look at this verse.

It's one of those amazing miracles that makes you scratch your head and wonder. WOW!

Acts 8:39When they came up out of the water,

the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away,

and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.

Look at this verse; it makes me so happy! It is what Joel prophesied.

Joel 2:28 And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

your old men will dream dreams,

your young men will see visions.

29 Even on My menservants and maidservants,

I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Did you see that He included the women? I am so thankful!!!

Acts 21:9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

It thrills me to see the Holy Spirit working in the next generation and women!

Acts shows us a Spirit‑filled, Spirit‑led, and Spirit‑empowered church that acted like Jesus did; they did the works of Jesus, because it was the Holy Spirit at work, not the person. Yet Holy Spirit worked through the people in a beautiful and holy collaboration. God-breathed. God inspired. God-empowered, holy partnership.

Father, forgive us for thinking we can have the fullness of life that you planned without including Precious Holy Spirit. We need His inspiration, His infilling, His Power and His guidance. We need His presence in our homes, in our families and in our churches. Open our eyes, cause our hearts to be tender and responsive to Your voice and your ways so that we can do what You called us to do. In the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.