Time with Abba, Singing Praising 親親爸父，唱詩歌頌

        

Bible Study

      Today's passage gives us a picture of what the best defence can be. Paul made his defence to all charges the barristers and the Jews made. He did not cause a disturbance trying to defile the Temple. He did not abandon the faith of his ancestors but resurrection is the heart of their faith and the great hope of Israel. His whole Gentile mission was for him to bring alms and offerings to his own nation and it all ended up with Paul back in the Temple, purified and worshipping. Therefore, Paul concluded that the accusation did not have any ground.

Bishop N.T. Wright's says (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N._T._Wright):

     The speech is stunning, rhetorically, historically, theologically, politically, personally.  It ranks with anything Paul himself wrote in his letters...It gives, not just a series of glittering themes, but a full picture of the man.  It stands as a testimony, an example, a promise. 

N.T. Wright. Acts for Everyone, Part 2. Louisville,KY:Westminster John Knox Press, 2008, p.189-190.

     If you are being accused of what you have been doing for Jesus, do you think you can follow Paul's example to give the best defence? 

               

Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmax47l2hLU

Spiritual Journal

    What I heard from Jesus today is: The best defence

   

    What I received from Jesus is wonderful. Jesus reminds me of what He says in Luke 12: 11-12:

    

    "And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

    

     This is a perfect example of what could happen. It is the Holy Spirit to lead Paul to have the best defence. We should be prepared that this kind of accusation will happen when we do the Kingdom ministry for Jesus. But, don't be afraid, because the Holy Spirit will lead you through and you will know what to say and what to do. The only thing you need to worry about is whether you are being filled with the Holy Spirit each day. 

Dear Holy Spirit,

Fill us each day that we know what to say and what to do in the midst of accusation and suffering. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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