Acts 25
The Ripple Effect of Faith!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, August 5.
Have you ever thrown a tiny pebble in a pond and then watched the ripples go out from that small action? It’s called a “ripple effect” and how we respond to our situations does the same thing.
In Acts 25 Paul is caught in a very difficult situation. Listen to Paul in verses 10-11, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
The historical situation is complex, but Paul’s response is faithful to God’s mission for His life: to be Christ’s witness to the Roman Empire.
Paul models for us three ways we can put courage into our hearts when in hard situations to remain faithful to God, even the stress of our own suffering and death.
- Paul anchors himself in the Word of God. We, too, can memorize and meditate upon the Word of God to focus our courage and strength on faithful living.
- Paul believed in the power of prayer. We, too, can pray for one another and ask others to pray for us. There is a deep comfort and peace that comes from knowing others are praying for you.
- Paul knew there was a bigger purpose for what he was going through. Jesus told him that he was “a chosen instrument” We, too, are chosen instruments… we are called ambassadors for Christ.
Seize the moment and send out a ripple effect in your stressful situations today.