Today’s reading is a little lengthy, due to the details of Paul’s defenses and the shipwreck report. The story is exciting, though you’ll be able to use a map to figure a few things out

I wish — Acts 26:29

After all the imprisonments, after all the persecution, after all the trials and temptations Paul still considered Christianity the very best of all possibly situations to be in. Sometimes people avoid discipleship to Jesus because there’s too much to give up, it “kills all your fun”, you can’t just do whatever you want to do, you gotta go to church, etc. But Paul — and other devoted Christians — would beg to differ, greatly! Sometimes we hesitate to share the Gospel, because “it is so hard”. Hogwash! Living in the world is so much harder! And its eternity is really, really bad! Jesus brings abundant life! I can’t think of any better way for anyone to live: forgiven, guided, loved, cared for, blessed, and with a solid hope against death! Come on! You gotta hate someone to keep that from them!

I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told — Acts 27:25

Do you believe that what God has said will turn out just that way? That He’ll provide for you? That He’ll hear you prayers? That He’ll really forgive ALL your sins? That death is not the end? That “all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:33)? That stepping out on faith will not let you down? That sin will kill you? That disobedience will keep you from Heaven?

Still preaching after all these years — Acts 28:31

You’d think Paul would have worn out by now. Why not just retire, Paul? Aren’t you in enough trouble already? Why not just wait until after the trial to start up again? But instead, he was “welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.” Would you? Do you?

See you tomorrow, Lord willing.