THURSDAY February 1, 2024
Divine Appointments
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”
Acts 25:12
Festus met with the Jewish council, and Paul’s appeal was granted. The case was out of Festus’ hands; he would go to Caesar. God works by divine appointment––not by man’s. The Bible tells us: The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD... (Psalm 37:23). Paul’s steps were ordered by God. He was directing his life––not the Jews––not Festus.
Do you remember the young, Christian teenager, Cassie Bernall? She lived in Colorado and was one of the students killed during the Columbine school shooting. It was reported that before she died, she was asked if she was a Christian. She said, “Yes.” Then she was fatally shot. Cassie, among others, lost her life that day, but she was immediately in the presence of the Lord.
I look at the signs of the times––at Russia and what is going on in the governments around the world today. If the Lord tarries, and as it gets closer to His coming, I believe it will get tougher for Christians. Persecution will come. We already see it; political persecution is here.
If you are ever persecuted for your faith, stand with boldness and confidence. God will give you the words to speak. What does the Bible say about persecution? In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus tells us:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven....”
A well-known Scottish preacher, John Knox, had this testimony spoken at his burial; “Here lies one who feared God so much that he never feared the face of any man.” This was a direct reference to Matthew 10:28: “...do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Always remember, you are not of this world. Yours is the kingdom of heaven!
Live in Christ, die in Christ, and the flesh need not fear death.
~John Knox~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
