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Acts 25:23 So the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came with much pageantry; they entered the audience room accompanied by military commanders and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Sha’ul was brought in. 24 Festus said, “King Agrippa and all of you here with us, do you see this man? The whole Judean community has complained to me about him both in Yerushalayim and here, crying that he shouldn’t be allowed to remain alive. 25 But I discovered that he had done nothing that deserves a death sentence. Now when he himself appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. 26 However, I have nothing specific to write to His Majesty about him. This is why I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa — so that after we have examined him, I might have something to write. 27 It seems irrational to me to send a prisoner without also indicating what the charges against him are.”
26:1 Agrippa said to Sha’ul, “You have permission to speak on your own behalf.” Then Sha’ul motioned with his hand and began his defense:
2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that it is before you today that I am defending myself against all the charges made against me by Jews, 3 because you are so well informed about all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.4 “So then! All Jews know how I lived my life from my youth on, both in my own country and in Yerushalayim. 5 They have known me for a long time; and if they are willing, they can testify that I have followed the strictest party in our religion — that is, I have lived as a Parush. 6 How ironic it is that I stand on trial here because of my hope in the promise made to our fathers! 7 It is the fulfillment of this very promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they resolutely carry on their acts of worship night and day; yet it is in connection with this hope, your Majesty, that I am being accused by Jews! 8 Why do you people consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
9 “I used to think it was my duty to do all I could to combat the name of Yeshua from Natzeret;
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As Messianics, we should always live in the hope of knowing that what YHWH wills, He fulfills. Paul's life and ministry stood firm in hope through the YHWH who always fulfills His promises.
When troubles and trials fall on us, what is our answer? If asked, what is the essence of our faith? What will our answer be? Is our life a living answer that honors and glorifies the Messiah as Lord and Savior? One day we will account for the life we have lived.
Paul's defense before King Agrippa in Acts 25-26 rests on Yeshua as the fulfillment of YHWH's promise to His chosen people. Added to this is the beautiful truth that YHWH has now chosen the Gentiles as well. All who accept the hope found in Yeshua the Messiah as Lord and Savior have the answer to life's deepest struggles.
The answer we give to the hopeless world is Yeshua. He is the hope for our troubles. Yeshua is the hope for today and tomorrow. All that we commit to Yeshua brings hope and purpose to our lives. Our ready defense and answer: We live for Yeshua in every moment of every day into eternity.
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"I Know Whom I Have Believed" by Daniel W. Whittle
1. I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.
Refrain:
But I know whom I have believèd,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.
2. I know not how this saving faithAnd am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.
Refrain:
But I know whom I have believèd,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.
3. I know not how the Spirit moves,And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.
Convincing us of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.
Refrain:
But I know whom I have believèd,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.
4. I know not what of good or illAnd am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.
Refrain:
But I know whom I have believèd,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.
5. I know not when my Lord may come,And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.
Refrain:
But I know whom I have believèd,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.
-------And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.
but treat the Messiah as holy, as Lord in your hearts;[1 Peter 3:15 Isaiah 8:12-13]while remaining always ready to give a reasoned answer to anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you — yet with humility and fear, [1 Peter 3:15]
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Please pray:
For faculty and students as they prepare for Christian ministry in Peru.
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Acts 26:19 “So, King Agrippa, I did not disobey the vision from heaven! 20 On the contrary, I announced first in Dammesek, then in Yerushalayim and throughout Y’hudah, and also to the Goyim, that they should turn from their sins to God and then do deeds consistent with that repentance. 21 It was because of these things that Jews seized me in the Temple and tried to kill me. 22 However, I have had God’s help; so to this day, I stand testifying to both small and great, saying nothing but what both the prophets and Moshe said would happen — 23 that the Messiah would die, and that he, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to both the People and the Goyim.”
24 But just as he reached this point in his defense, Festus shouted at the top of his voice, “Sha’ul, you’re out of your mind! So much learning is driving you crazy!”
25 But Sha’ul said, “No, I am not ‘crazy,’ Festus, your Excellency; on the contrary, I am speaking words of truth and sanity. 26 For the king understands these matters, so to him I express myself freely, because I am sure that none of these things have been hidden from him. After all, they didn’t happen in some back alley. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe!”
28 Agrippa said to Sha’ul, “In this short time, you’re trying to convince me to become Messianic?” 29 Sha’ul replied, “Whether it takes a short time or a long time, I wish to God that not only you, but also everyone hearing me today, might become just like me except for these chains!”
30 Then the king got up, and with him the governor and Bernice and the others sitting with them. 31 After they had left, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing that deserves either death or prison.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “If he hadn’t appealed to the Emperor, he could have been released.”
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In Acts 26, the apostle Paul stood boldly before King Agrippa and the gathered audience to proclaim Yeshua as the promised Messiah. Agrippa reacted to the gospel by calling Paul insane.
How often do people think we are out of our minds for believing and preaching Yeshua? Paul responded that what he was saying was "true and reasonable" (verse 25). Today, more than ever, we need to speak the true and reasonable gospel. We need to pray for revival to sweep over our lands. We should challenge sinners to repent and find new life in Yeshua.
People need true freedom in the Messiah, not affirmation of their sins. May God burden our hearts and open our eyes to the lost around us. Our greatest need today as the Messiah's disciples is to seek the salvation of those who need to turn to YHWH. Although many do not want to hear of repentance, it is the door to a new life and a new mind-set in the Messiah.
Perhaps it is we who need to turn to God first and repent. If so, let it begin with us. Let us share the glorious and complete freedom found only in the sanctified new life in the Messiah.
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"Glorious Freedom" by Haldor Lillenas
1. Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters,
Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain;
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.
Refrain:
Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom,
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator,
Now and forever He shall be mine.
2. Freedom from all the carnal affections,
Freedom from envy, hatred and strife;
Freedom from vain and worldly ambitions,
Freedom from all that saddened my life.
Refrain: Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom,
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator,
Now and forever He shall be mine.
3. Freedom from pride and all sinful follies,
Freedom from love and glitter of gold;
Freedom from evil, temper, and anger,
Glorious freedom, rapture untold.
Refrain: Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom,
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator,
Now and forever He shall be mine.
4. Freedom from fear with all of its torments,
Freedom from care with all of its pain;
Freedom in Christ, my blessed Redeemer,
He who has rent my fetters in twain.
Refrain: Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom,
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator,
Now and forever He shall be mine.
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Pain handled in God’s way produces a turning from sin to God which leads to salvation, and there is nothing to regret in that! But pain handled in the world’s way produces only death. [ 2 Corinthians 7:10]
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Please pray:
That many people in Uruguay will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh.
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