SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 24:27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
OBSERVATION: Two years in prison would seem like a very long time to a man who liked to move around from city to city, preaching and visiting believers. But being in prison could not stop Paul from being faithful to God. Circumstances did not affect Paul’s faithfulness.
It was Paul’s faithfulness, especially in prison, that resulted in writing letters to encourage the churches he had planted. Some of his letters from prison are now included in our Bibles. We recognize them as inspired by the Holy Spirit.
APPLICATION: God can use me/us today as He used Paul. Paul’s faithfulness in prison resulted in fruitfulness! It was not his surroundings that inspired him to write, it was the presence of the Holy Spirit moving in his heart and mind. He was faithful to do what he could do. We can all give thanks that Paul did not have a telephone to call his friends. He was limited to writing them a letter. His limitations enabled his ministry to spread throughout the world, even into the 22nd century!
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, in times when I feel boxed in and not able to accomplish very much, remind me of Paul’s ministry. Show me what I can do in writing a note, or in prayer, or in giving, or in a small deed of kindness… Help me to never let my lack of provision or opportunity keep me from being fruitful. Show me a large tree that started as a small seed. Make me a seed planter. Amen
Pastor Leon
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