Author: admin

¹  I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— ² that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.³ For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. ⁴ They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. ⁵ To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

⁶ But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,⁷ and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” ⁸ This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. ⁹ For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁰ And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, ¹¹ though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— ¹² she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” ¹³ As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

Reflection

1. These verses illustrated clearly Paul’s love for the people of Israel.  In order for his people to have God’s salvation, he’s even willing to bear their punishment.  How deep his love for them!  This is just like Christ- willing to sacrifice Himself for others.
2. How do you care for those unbelieving people, especially your family, relatives, and good friends?  In order for them to receive salvation, are you willing to sacrifice your time, money, energy and comfortable life?
3. How do you care for your fellow people, whether they may be in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan or anywhere in the word? What about those Chinese immigrants in Toronto, Canada?
4. Ask the Lord to place the burden of a specific group of people in your heart.  (Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Toronto immigrants…)  Use this passage to pray for their salvation.  Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to respond to the burden in preaching the gospel among your fellow people.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 16:8-10

⁸ Better is a little with righteousness
    than great revenues with injustice.
⁹ The heart of man plans his way,
    but the Lord establishes his steps.
¹⁰ An oracle is on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³ And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Reflection

1. In vv18-25, Paul used a bold metaphor to illustrate the sufferings in the world, that is the pregnant woman’s labor pains, birth pangs. These are signs of an imminent and glorious birth – the “redemption of our bodies”. This is certainly a different way of understanding groans and suffering. Christians thus are able to realize that there is no comparison between the present hard time and the glorious future (v18). And they wait with eager longing(v19) and with patience(v25).
   How would this understanding help you better prepared to face the harsh situations in life at present time?
2. In vv 26-30, when we pray, we are never “on our own”. The Spirit at all times is praying in and for us. Therefore, prayer involves not just God’s listening to us; more importantly, rather it is the Holy Spirit’s active intercessory presence in our lives.
3. How do you pray? How can you experience the Holy Spirit’s active intercession for you? How would this encourage your intercession for other believers?
4. Conclude today’s time with God by singing: Consuming Fire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFPzUcQkmmg

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 16:4-7

⁴ The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
    even the wicked for the day of trouble.
⁵ Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
    be assured, he will not go unpunished.
⁶ By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
⁷ When a man’s ways please the Lord,
    he makes eve

¹³ Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. ¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. ¹⁵ For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ¹⁶ Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. ¹⁷ So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. ¹⁸ For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

²¹ So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. ²² For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, ²³ but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.²⁴ Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Reflection

1. There is no use looking for a “secret” to the spiritual life that exempts us from trouble and conflict, defeat and doubt, despair and inadequacy.  No doubt we are “at war” (v23).  There are fierce difficulties with the resurrection life.  Have you uttered the cry as Paul did: “Who will rescue me”?
2. Read slowly:
   God uses failure, sickness, breakdown, sin, personal tragedy, and sorrow to reduce His people to usefulness.  Unless the servant of God learns to depend utterly on God and to forsake self-dependence of any kind, he or she remains too strong to be of much value.  – Robert C. Girard
3. Prayer

Lord, I come humbly to you and admit that I am weak, cold and easy to fall into sin.  Depending on myself, I will only be worse and sink deeper. Thank you for your salvation and the continued deliverance that I will be able to overcome sin and temptation.  Thank you, Lord.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 16:1-3

¹ The plans of the heart belong to man,
    but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
² All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the spirit.
³ Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.

¹⁵ What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! ¹⁶ Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, ¹⁸ and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. ¹⁹ I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

²⁰ For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. ²¹ But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. ²² But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection

1. Read the passage through your life experience.  Do you identify with “we to sin because we are not under law but under grace”?  What about “now present your members as slaves to righteousness”?  Take time to identify what you do and don’t agree with.
2. Search yourself for an area where you don’t walk in freedom but continue to struggle with sin.  When do you easily give in to temptation?  What comfort, relief or pleasure does the sin give you?  What pain or discomfort does it bring?  What do you fear you would lose if you gave up the sin?
3. Pray and ask God to take over your struggle and unresolved problems.  As you determine to obey God’s command, ask God for freedom from these bondages.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 15:30-33

³⁰ The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and good news refreshes the bones.
³¹ The ear that listens to life-giving reproof
    will dwell among the wise.
³² Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,
    but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
³³ The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
    and humility comes before honor.

¹ Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.² Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

⁶ For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— ⁸ but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.⁹ Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. ¹⁰ For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.¹¹ More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Reflection

1. Now Paul becomes exuberant as he continues this justified-by-faith life. He mentioned three “rejoices” (vv2, 3, 11).
2. What does a Christian see if he looks back? If he looks ahead?  If he looks around?  – Reconciliation.
   Looking back, we rejoice in God’s salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ that we have been saved and reconciled to God (v10, 11).Looking ahead, we rejoice in the glory of God and the hope that we will stand by God throughout eternity (v2, 9).

   Looking around, we rejoice in our suffering as we are being saved continually.  Jesus is even now at work within us to give us the power to live a holy life.

   Our past, our present and our future are all transformed because of Him.  And when we are reconciled with God, it paves the way for us to be reconciled with ourselves and with others. This is a great cause for our constant rejoicing and praising.

3. Thank God for this Reconciliation Gospel.  Pray that God will help you to live always in reconciliation with God, with yourself and with others.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 15:26-29

²⁶ The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
    but gracious words are pure.
²⁷ Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household,
    but he who hates bribes will live.
²⁸ The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
²⁹ The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

¹ What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? ² For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, butnot before God. ³ For what does the Scripture say?“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” ⁴ Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. ⁵ And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, ⁶ just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

⁷ “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
⁸ blessed is the man against whom the Lord will notcount his sin.”

⁹ Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. ¹⁰ How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. ¹¹ He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, ¹² and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Reflection

1. Paul explained here that even people like Abraham were counted as righteousness because of his faith in God and not his good works, not his circumcision – obeying the law. It is purely God’s grace.
2. In verse 3, the term “counted to him as righteousness” literally means “to make an entry in the account book.” It’s like the person who has a huge credit card debt. One day he receives a notice from the credit card company saying that all his debts have been cleared. He no longer needs to worry about his debts.
3. We, as sinners, have no righteousness that would be acceptable to God. But God has given His promise that when we believe in His Son; against our name in His account book, He makes an entry that says in effect, “This person is righteous in My sight!” Our faith has been credited to us as righteousness. What relief! What joy!
4. It’s easy to feel that God accepts us only when we are good. How can the examples of Abraham and David give us hope?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 15:23-25

²³ To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and a word in season, how good it is!
²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the prudent,
    that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of the proud
    but maintains the widow’s boundaries.

²¹ But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— ²² the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. ²⁶ It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

²⁷ Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. ²⁸ For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. ²⁹ Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,³⁰ since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. ³¹ Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

Reflection

1. V23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Like prisoners on death row, all people are guilty, condemned and awaiting the execution of God’s wrath. They sit silently in the miserable darkness of their cell, all hope extinguished.  Then abruptly, the door swings open and darkness becomes light, death becomes life, and bondage becomes freedom. “You are pardoned,” a voice tells them.  But how? Why?
   This passage tells us that this is exactly our situation.  But how did you get pardoned?  Why would it happen?
2. When did the message of God’s grace become real to you?  What impact is it having on your life right now?
3. End this time with God with a song of worship: Worthy is the Lamb  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMvdUnl5ndk

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 15:19-22

¹⁹ The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns,
but the path of the upright is a level highway.
²⁰ A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
²¹ Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
²² Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.

¹⁷ But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God ¹⁸ and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; ¹⁹ and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— ²¹ you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? ²² You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? ²³ You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. ²⁴ For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

²⁵ For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. ²⁶ So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? ²⁷ Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law.²⁸ For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. ²⁹ But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Reflection

1. In this passage, Paul is pointing his fingers at the hypocritical Jews.  The Jews bragged about their being in God’s covenant.  They knew God’s will and even approved of it.  But the issue is they didn’t do God’s will. How does this kind of person view himself and others?
2. How has religious hypocrisy hurt the cause of Christ in our day?
3. What about you?  When was the last time you said or taught one thing yet acted quite differently? Could Paul also be pointing fingers at you?  How does this realization affect you?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 15:15-18

¹⁵ All the days of the afflicted are evil,
    but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
¹⁶ Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.
¹⁷ Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
    than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
¹⁸ A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
    but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

¹ Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, ² which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,³ concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh ⁴ and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,⁵ through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, ⁶ including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

⁷ To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. ⁹ For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you ¹⁰ always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. ¹¹ For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— ¹² that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.¹³ I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. ¹⁴ I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. ¹⁵ So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Reflection

1. Read this passage a couple of times slowly. Imagine you were Paul writing this letter.  What was Paul’s feeling toward the believers in Rome? And his attitude about spreading the gospel?
2. Pause and reflect.  How did the Holy Spirit touch you through this passage?
3. Do you share Paul’s excitement and passion about the gospel? Whom among your friends do you have the greatest opportunity of reaching with the gospel? What steps can you take to reach them?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 15:12-14

¹² A scoffer does not like to be reproved;
    he will not go to the wise.
¹³ A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
¹⁴ The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

¹⁷ After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.¹⁸ When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. ¹⁹ But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. ²⁰ For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” ²¹ And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.²² But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

²³They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. ²⁴Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. ²⁵They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said 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.”  ²⁷For 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.’ ²⁸“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” ³⁰For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. ³¹Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Meditation

1. Paul spent two years of imprisonment in Rome welcoming everyone who came to his house.  Acts began with a crucifixion turned into a resurrection.  There had been imprisonments, beatings, martyrdoms – not just for Paul but for many members of the early church.  There had been open threats and secret intrigues.  And there had been the more subtle danger of compromise – the pressure to be drawn back into Jewish ritual, absorbed into the old rule keeping.  Through it all, the gospel of Christ was spread to the world.  Every attempt to confine it, to compromise it, to muffle it, to reject it was finally ineffective.  It spread from the center of the world in Rome through the far reaches of the globe.
2. Acts closes with this image: Paul, opening his home and his heart, preaches boldly and without hindrance to all comers without.  As he has received hospitality, he offers it to “all who came to him.”  As “God shows no partiality” (10:34), God’s messengers must be similarly inclusive.
3. Pray that God will help me to offer hospitality to all who came to me and to show no partiality just as God does.

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Paul had an open door policy when he was under house arrest in Rome.  He welcomed all who came to see him and shared the gospel with them.  Discuss: Do you like to welcome people to your home?  How can your family show kindness and generosity to those visitors?  Write them in your Family Devotional Journal.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 15:8-11

⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.  ⁹ The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.  ¹⁰ There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.  ¹¹ Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man!

⁹ Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, ¹⁰ saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” ¹¹ But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. ¹² And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.

¹³When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. ¹⁴Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the “northeaster,” swept down from the island. ¹⁵The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. ¹⁶As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure. ¹⁷When the men had hoisted it aboard, they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. ¹⁸We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. ¹⁹On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. ²⁰When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.  ²¹After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. ²²But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. ²³Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me ²⁴and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ ²⁵So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. ²⁶Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

Meditation

1. In spite of the terrible conditions, Paul spoke hopefully that an angel of God had appeared to him in the night and assured him that he would arrive in Rome and stand trial before Caesar; and all who were with him would get there, too.  He said, “Don’t give up… take heart” (the Message vv24-25).  God would strip them of what had obscured their awareness of him – the ship, the job, and the mad rush to Rome.  But their lives would be preserved.
2. God is also out to get us.  Everything we consider a loss can be a chance to discover God at the center, to realize the preciousness of life itself, of love unencumbered by lust and pride and greed.  The Voice keeps arriving in the midst of terror, disaster and hopelessness: “Don’t give up… take heart.”
3. Tell God your fear and helplessness.  Find God in the midst of your problem and His presence.  Listen to Him telling you: “Don’t give up… take heart.”

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Talk about one incident when anyone or the whole family was on a boat.  Remember another time when Jesus was on a boat?  What happened?  Sing: “With Christ in the vessel I can smile at the storm”.  Thank God for His protection in dangerous situations.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 15:4-7

⁴ A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.  ⁵ A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.  ⁶ In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.  ⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

¹ So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:

² “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, ……

²⁴ And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.”²⁵ But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. ²⁶ For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” ²⁸ And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” ²⁹ And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

³⁰ Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. ³¹ And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” ³² And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Meditation

1. Though his innocence has been clearly stated many times, Paul remains a prisoner. He repeatedly has to face the unfair charges of the Jewish leaders. He has made his defense with integrity and power, and in return he gets only threats of death. In it all Paul’s witness remains consistent. His greatest desire is that his accusers and those in judgment over him will become Christians.
2. How do you respond to the unfairness in the world around you—poverty, homelessness, the unfairness in your own life? It is difficult to assume an attitude like Paul’s in the face of injustice. But God sees and knows what is right, and he understands the anger we feel. Express your thoughts and feelings to him. Let him calm the stirring in your heart with his gentle words.

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

When Paul spoke before Agrippa, he shared his testimony clearly.  It can be outlines as follows:  what your life was like before you met Christ; how you came to know Christ; how your life has been different as a Christian.  Encourage family members to write out their testimony using this outline as a guide.  Record them in your Family Devotional Journal.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 15:1-3

¹ A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  ² The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.  ³ The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. 

¹Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, ²where the chief priests and Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. ³They urgently requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. ⁴Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. ⁵Let some of your leaders come with me and press charges against the man there, if he has done anything wrong.”  ⁶After spending eight or ten days with them, he went down to Caesarea, and the next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him. ⁷When Paul appeared, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges against him, which they could not prove.  ⁸Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”  ⁹Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”  ¹⁰Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. ¹¹If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”  ¹²After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Meditation

1. Paul has kept his identity as a Roman, a Jew, and a Christian.  He diligently laboured for the Lord, he obeyed the Roman’s law, and he didn’t defy the Temple.  Therefore, Festus and King Agrippa knew he was innocent.
2. Everyone has different identities, a citizen of a country, an employee of a company, a student of a school, a friend to someone, a member of a family.   How am I keeping my various identities?  In trying to maintain one identity, am I overlooking the others?  Who am I at the core of my identity?
3. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show me where I need to change and improve.  Ask God for the needed strength.

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Ask everyone to ask this question:  Who Are You?  Discuss some of the roles/identities each mentions.  What are the responsibilities and privileges of such role?  Are you a good …….?  How can we become better ……?  Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help each one to be better ………  Record this in your Family Devotional Journal.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 14:33-35

³³ Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.  ³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.  ³⁵ A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

¹ And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. ² And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:

“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, ³ in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. ⁴ But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. ⁵ For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. ⁶ He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. ⁸ By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”

⁹ The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

¹⁰ And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. ¹¹ You can verify that ……

²² But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” ²³ Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

²⁴ After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” ²⁶ At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.²⁷ When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

Meditation

1. The high priest Ananias brought some elders and a spokesman before the Roman governor Felix. Paul made a compelling defense and showed how weak the chief priest’s case against him was.  But Felix waffled, and refused to decide the case.  Paul was put under house arrest, and kept there for two years.   Later Felix and his third wife heard Paul’s discourse on “righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come”.  Felix was frightened and sent Paul away.  Only his hope that Paul would offer him a bribe moved Felix to talk with Paul from time to time.  It seems this is a defeat for Paul.  But in fact it was success!  For Paul, and the Gospel, had a hearing.
2. We shouldn’t expect to be popular, or that the majority of folks will experience instant conversion.  But at least we must have a chance to be heard.
3. To follow up on #4 of Ch 22’s meditation; was there an opportunity foryou to share your story with someone?  Did you have a hearing?  How was it received?  What did you learn from this experience?

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Review your Family Devotional Journal to chapter 17 and 18.  Ask:  Has your family or anyone shared the gospel with someone on the list?  How did it go?  Was he/she willing to accept Christ?  What did you learn from this experience?  If you haven’t shared, decide when to do it.  Write it in the Journal and pray that you will indeed do it this time.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 14:29-32

²⁹ Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.  ³⁰ A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.  ³¹ Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.  ³² The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death.