Read the Bible in a Year (23NOV19)

DAILY REMINDER – Today, November 23’s Bible reading is Acts 27-28.

NEXT DAY REMINDER – Tomorrow, November 24’s Bible reading is Romans 1-3. May God bless you with the reading of His WORD.

 

ACTS MOMENT – (23NOV19) “They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: ‘The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet: “ ‘Go to this people and say, ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; 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.’ ‘Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!’ ” (Acts 28:25-28).

Paul was taken as prisoner on a ship to sail to Rome where he was to appear before Caesar. His sail, however, was not a smooth one, and he, along with the Roman soldiers, crew, and other prisoners, only made it with their lives to the island of Malta where they stayed for three months. While there, Paul healed the father of the island’s chief official as well as the other sick people who were there. They set sail once again on a ship given to them by the islanders, and they finally arrived in Rome. Once there, Paul was placed under guard in his own rented home. He was allowed to have the Jewish leaders meet with him, and he witnessed to them from morning until evening about the kingdom of God, and about Jesus by trying to convince them that Jesus was the Messiah spoken of in the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Some believed him, while others rejected his message. Paul reminded them of Isaiah’s words regarding their inability to understand due to their hardened hearts. After he had spoken with them, he let them know that God’s salvation had been sent to the Gentiles, and they would be willing to accept it whereas many of the Jews had not.  

Many people are still rejecting the message of Salvation today. They refuse to honor God, nor do they want to serve Him as their Lord and Savior. Even in the church, many claim to be believers and yet, they reject the warnings that are going out through God’s prophets, servants, and handmaidens. The Lord is letting us know that His coming is soon. We must get our houses in order because we do not know the hour of His return, but we do know that we are in the season of it. The Bible says: “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:13). We have a job to do just as Paul did. He preached even while being a prisoner because he did not allow his circumstances to prevent him from sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. As we wait for the Lord’s return, we are to be busy about our Father’s business, and ensure that our lives are in good standing so that we will not be found wanting. Something to ponder….