Note for 2024/06/25

‭Acts 24:1-27 KJV‬

[1] And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. [2] And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, [3] we accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. [4] Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. [5] For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: [6] who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. [7] But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, [8] commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. [9] And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. [10] Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: [11] because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. [12] And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: [13] neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. [14] But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: [15] and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. [16] And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. [17] Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. [18] Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. [19] Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. [20] Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, [21] except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. [22] And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. [23] And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. [24] And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. [25] And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. [26] He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. [27] But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.24.1-27.KJV

False accusations, legal and pleasant speech; brought by a prosecutor. To find favor with a group and the hand open for a bribe, the judge, Felix, kept Paul restrained from his freedom. There is something familiar about this, isn't it? I think of how long our courts today can drag a matter out.

Is this why man behaves himself in our time, fearing to transgress the laws of man? And have we not seen man depart from the law of GOD, and adopt laws and articles drafted by the heart and mind of man? Permitting abominable things, while restricting that which is righteous. Just yesterday I heard of a case in Germany, where a woman received a longer jail sentence for hate speech against illegal immigrants, than the illegal immigrant that forced himself upon her daughter. We have seen how the judicial system has been weaponized against a political rival. We have heard of the innocent being detained, while the criminal is set free, and this dates back even to the trial of Jesus Christ before Pilate. But, these things we can expect from those who do not fear GOD, especially among the people that cannot consent on who their GOD is. Look and see how godless and lawless this world has become. What of the farmers in America that are threatened with fines per acre if they should water their crops, while foreigners may irrigate their crops and export the produce back to their own countries. Oh! There is much more, remember I live in South Africa; and shall I mention the destruction of crops, the culling of livestock and the theft of land by means of legal practice and government decrees? The system has become corrupt, and as we just read here, maybe the system has always been corrupt; then I wonder, who always stands for corruption and murderous ways? Oh! There is much more to be said, but what then do we expect from people that have lost their way? These things are common, for it is the practice of the broad way.

The question that turns within me, is how long GOD will still permit man to escape His judgment? Even as we see a mingling of man with technology, not to speak of gene editing practices, corrupting GOD'S creation. I am afraid for mankind, because of all they have gotten themselves involved in. And just as Jerusalem fell in 70 AD, are we about to witness the fall of human civilization? Look! Do you see the revolt on the city streets, just recently the people revolted in Tel Aviv. Is there peace in France? What of all the shootings and campus riots in the US? People flee from their own countries for the sake of peace, only to find trouble where they fled to too.

Yes, friends, the world is in a sad state and the spirit of offense is rampant all over. Each is shouting for his own will to be done, as the masses cannot come to agreement on anything but violence and revolt. I could say that Satan is having his way with the inhabitants of the earth.

The remarkable part is that the Word of GOD foretold all of this precisely. So... I am not surprised. As believers, should we partake in this decay? Are we not called to the righteous way? How do we then protest like the godless, should we not bring all matters before the Lord in prayer? Are we not to do intercession? Are we then standing for a man to rise from among the people so we can have our way? Should we bring matters of contention before the godless to judge? Shall we assign our own prosecutors, when we ourselves still stand in error? Who shall cast a stone to land upon the pile of stones that have been thrown already? No!

I will pray...

Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us our daily Bread and forgive our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Church, we are to bring the message of Christ Jesus into this world. We are to be the peacemakers. We should not walk in offenses, we should show this world what the Love of GOD is, not join with them in their rebellion. God is our Judge. What then is self control, but to establish peace within by aligning with the Will of GOD.

If then compared to today's reading, in which role do we stand? Are we to be the prosecutors, or the judge? Or are we like Paul?

Shalom

YouVersion Bible Verse of the Day

(Expanded from Verse 6)

‭Isaiah 53:4-12 KJV‬

[4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. [7] He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. [8] He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. [9] And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. [10] Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. [11] He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. [12] Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.53.4-12.KJV

Listen to:

06 24 2024 The Final Push - New Season To Begin

By Mike from around the world of COT

https://soundcloud.com/ouncil1archive/06-24-2024-the-final-push-new-season-to-begin

Duration: 1 hour 55 minutes and 10 seconds

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