Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 26:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 26:3

"Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently."

Paul is speaking to king Agrippa and ask that he be patient with him. Paul tell his conversion story in a manner that king Agrippa could understand. What stood out to me was patience. How important it is to have patience so we can come to a full understanding with someone. Patience truly is a Christlike attribute.

Day 3204

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 27:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 27:9-10

"Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives."

When he mentions the fast is already past the footnote tells us it's the tenth day of the seventh month. The seventh month is October and after Oct 5th you no longer sail because winter is approaching. It's to dangerous to sail. It was not the right season. Paul wasn't just prophesying to them, he was aware of the laws of nature, and God works with them. Sometimes we're told to carry on, but in this case the spirit told Paul what would happen and that is why he warned them not to sail. It made me ponder on how if we are observant and wise to the times and seasons we will stay on safe ground. We do not need to be counseled in all things. But, it's even more important to heed the warnings of prophets and apostles when given.

Day 3203

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 25:26

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 25:26

"Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write."

I learned something new in my study. King Agrippa was Jewish. I thought it was a curiosity that he wanted to hear Paul. Now I understand he had a more knowledge about the issue surrounding Paul, the Jews and Christians.

"Herod Agrippa II (also called Marcus Julius Agrippa) was the seventh and last king in the Jewish Herodian dynasty. He ruled the territory northeast of the Sea of Galilee from about A.D. 55 to 93. He was the son of Herod Agrippa I, who ordered the death of James and imprisoned Peter (see Acts 12:1–4); the grandson of Herod Antipas, who had John the Baptist beheaded (see Matthew 14:1–12); and the great-grandson of Herod the Great, who ordered the slaughter of the infants of Bethlehem (see Matthew 2:16).Agrippa’s kingdom lay to the north of Festus’s territory. Agrippa and his sister Bernice (whom some believed he was having an incestuous affair with) visited Festus in Caesarea while Paul was imprisoned there. Because Agrippa was a Jew and was therefore more familiar with Jewish affairs than Festus, who was a Roman, Festus hoped that Agrippa could help him understand the accusations against Paul and also help draft his letter to Caesar (see Acts 25:24–27; 26:3).."

(New Testament Study Manual, "Herod Agrippa II", Chapter 34: Acts 21-28)

Day 3202

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 24:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 24:27

"But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound."

This made me think of the environment we are in now. How people do things according to their pleasure. Their pleasure can be motivated by revenge, entitlement, and pride. I'm sure there are other motivators but this is something I have run across in the last couple of days. I do not hold out hope that society will get any better in these things. The only thing I need to do is work really, really hard to not become like them.

"Rather than release Paul, Felix courted the favor of the Jews by leaving Paul in prison for two years (see Acts 24:27). Felix’s successor, Porcius Festus, acted with similar political interest when he proposed to send Paul to Jerusalem, where Paul’s enemies hoped to kill him (see Acts 25:3, 9). President James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the First Presidency spoke against acting solely to gain the approval of others: “Men and women often attempt to gain notice and approval of the group from whom they seek acceptance. Such peer pressure may cause them to do things they would not otherwise do. This is acting out of weakness, not strength” (“The Power of Self-Mastery,” Ensign, May 2000, 43–44)."

(New Testament Student Manual, "Willing to Shew the Jews a Pleasure" "Chapter 34: Acts 21-28)

Day 3201