- Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” Acts 23:3 – I had someone this week ask me how to talk with someone they know that has begun allowing some certain sins to be in their life. They wanted to know how to approach them and what to say to help them back on the right path. I loved the question, but my first response back to them was to check yourself first. We need to make sure that we ourselves are following Jesus well before we begin telling other people how to live. So check your life and see if any sort of sin has been allowed to stay. We are called to help those enslaved by sin see their way out. Let’s make sure though the chains were are telling others to drop we’ve dropped ourselves first. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 652
- Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” Acts 23:23-24 – A plot was made to ambush and kill Paul. More than 40 men came together to murder Paul, and they even agreed no one was to eat or drink till the task was accomplished. What a scary message to hear if you’re Paul! Yet look at the response from the Roman leader over Paul when he heard about these 40+ guys in ambush. Get 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen and get Paul safety to where he needs to be. The ambush of the enemy was nothing to them, and they were able to easily take care of Paul. While that flex of power from Rome was impressive, this is nothing compared to the power our God can flex. Our enemy can threaten, accuse, ambush, and attack, but our God is not compromised by any of it. Satan can bring the whole of his evil forces against us, and our God simply can lift a finger and their forces are brought to nothing. This is why so many times in scripture we are told to fear not and to trust our God. While the enemy is present and powerful, our God is omnipresent and all-powerful. Next time the enemy begins to flex his power look up to our God who is ready to save. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2549
Daily DEVO 