Acts 21. 12.25.25

SCRIPTURE :Acts‬ ‭21‬:‭35‬-‭37‬, ‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”

As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied.

Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city.

Please let me speak to the people.””

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OBSERVATION

Paul was forewarned by God and other believers that trouble awaited him in Jerusalem. Once he arrived in Jerusalem, James and the elders rejoiced over the amazing work God had done through Paul’s report.

Then, through a complicated trail of rumors, lies, and wrong assumptions, things go exactly according to the Holy Spirit’s foreknowledge and Paul is arrested several days later.

There was always only ONE purpose for Paul…finish the race Christ had Called him to  and KEEP the Faith in Jesus.

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,

and the time for my departure is near.

I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness,

which the Lord, the righteous Judge,

will award to me on that day—

and not only to me—but also to all—who have longed for His appearing.”

‭‭(2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Paul was given a brief opportunity to speak to the crowd. It didn’t go exactly as he may have planned or liked— BUT it went EXACTLY as God had Planned.

APPLICATION

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas is a Reminder of Christ’s —Great JOY!

Recently I was asked the difference between Joy and Happiness.

Happiness is reliant on earthy temporal things.

I am happy at the Beach, smelling the Ocean air, listening to the waves ebb and flow, walking in the wet sand as the waves come in.

I am happy when I bake something new and it comes out the way I had hoped, sometimes even better, and get to watch the look on other people’s faces enjoying what I have made.

I am happy seeing the utter excitement in Wolffy’s brown eyes when she knows she is about to go for a walk.

And of course I have countless memories of laughter and happiness over silly little things that come to mind with my dearest husband.

Everything on this list is entirely based on temporary circumstances.

Joy is supernatural—and a Fruit of the Holy Spirit—Coming from God—Himself.

Not temporal…not based on any circumstances—but—Eternal—

JOY in Jesus is Ours Forever—

Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope —FILL you —with all —JOY and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

James 1:2-4

“Count it as Great JOY, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, knowing that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance.

And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

Psalms 71:23

“My lips will shout for JOY —when I sing praises to YOU; And my soul, which You have redeemed.”

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Paul explains Joy in his letter to the Philippian Church:

Although he is in Rome in prison and has every reason to be unhappy—

Paul is FILLED with Supernatural, JOY.

Because Paul is seeing how God is using even his challenging circumstances—to continue to Advance the Spread of Christ’s Gospel and salvations are Happening!

Not only are people continuing to Hear the Gospel Message that Jesus Saves—but Paul rejoices that even his prison guards are being saved.

AND…Paul says, “Your Faith in Christ—Causes me to rejoice”.

(Philippians 1)

Jesus IS our—JOY!

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

Thank YOU That You Alone make my—our—JOY Complete.

I pray I can learn more and more what it means to Be genuinely FILLED with Your JOY because of The Faith that others are growing in that are near to me and because of Your Gospel Message that has the Power to Move out regardless of any circumstances we find ourselves in. Help me to fully understand the JOY in Advancing Who YOUR Gospel Message of Unmeasurable LOVE.

Thank YOU that My JOY in YOU is not based in Circumstances. It is based in the unshakable TRUTH that our eternity is SECURE in YOU!

Help me, Like Paul, to Listen to what is being said and to Listen between the lines and to Hear YOU and to Look for the common ground to Make Your message accessible to everyone around.

There is nothing comparable to Your JOY!

“Jesus said,

“Until now you have not asked for anything in MY name.

Ask—and you will receive, and your JOY will be—COMPLETE.”

‭‭(John‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

In JESUS Name, amen.

Tina L Kudelka

Acts 20 - 12.24.25

Scripture

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

Observation

Today we read a very poignant and emotional moment in Paul’s life. He was saying “Good Bye” to the church of Ephesus, and entrusting the care of the church to the elders. He was sure that he would not see them again, as the Lord was leading him to Jersualem where he would be eventually arrested.

Paul reminds the elders of the church to “keep watch over yourselves” first. We cannot minister and give to others unless we receive from God ourselves, on a daily basis. It is important for us to stay in God’s presence and be filled with his Spirit and Word so that we can pour out into the lives of others that God has brought to us. The Lord reminded us to “watch” and pray so that we don’t fall into temptation (Matthew 26:21). We need to watch over ourselves first in prayer and spending time in the Word.

“..and all the flock for which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” - Watch over the flock or the people whom God has entrusted you with. It is God’s Holy Spirit who has entrusted us with the ministry. Be faithful to the calling God has placed on your life. “Be Shepherd” (NIV) or “feed the church of God” (KJV). A shepherd takes care of the sheep, and a shepherd’s primary responsibility is feeding the sheep. Spiritual food for us is God’s word. Encourage and build each other up with the word (1 Thess 5:11). Feed the word to those who are entrusted to you. Paul reminds the elders how precious the people in the church are to God - he bought them with his own blood. 

Application

Let us watch and pray that we don’t fall into temptation. Let us build ourselves up in our most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20). And let us watch over the people God has put in our care. Yes, we are called to be our brother’s (sister’s) keeper. Let us feed the word of God to the flock entrusted to our care. 

To feed others with the Word, we need to study the Word ourselves. Let us study the Word to show ourselves approved unto God, a worker that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15, KJV).

Let us be diligent and intentional to do the work that we are called to, in ministering to the people God has placed in our sphere of influence. 

Prayer

Dear Father, You are my strength and my help. I want to please you and fulfill your will for my life. Help me to watch and pray so that I don’t fall into temptation (Matthew 26:21). Help me to build myself up by praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20). Help me to study your word, so that I will be able to rightly divide your word to your people (2 Tim 2:15).  Help me to fix my eyes on you, the author and finisher of my faith, who for the joy kept before you, endured the cross and despised the shame (Heb 12:2). Help me to set my mind on things above and not things on the earth (Col 3:2). Help me to love the people you have placed in my life, with your love. Help me to genuinely care and feed them with your word, which is the true bread of life. Lord please help me, as I can do nothing without you (John 15:5). I surrender my life once more to you. Make my life a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you (Rom 12:1). In Jesus’s name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

Psalm 122 - 12.23.25

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm 122:1-3 “I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.  Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem.” 

OBSERVATION:  This is a Davidic song of ascents.  Going up to the city of Jerusalem was an uphill climb.  (That’s where this Psalm got its title). “Faithful Jews probably sang Psalm 120 while they were still traveling out of foreign lands. They sang Psalm 121 as they caught glimpses of Jerusalem in the distance.  As they sang Psalm 122, they were actually standing inside the walls of the Holy City praying for peace”.  (Gene Getz).

David prayed for the peace of Jerusalem, “May those who love you prosper.  May there be peace within your walls, prosperity within your fortresses.”

APPLICATION:  One day we will enter the New Jerusalem!  What a glorious day that will be!  But for now, as a member of the body of Christ, do I find myself rejoicing that I have the opportunity to go to the house of the Lord?

As a Christ follower, I have the responsibility of not only praying for my church family, but for my city. What would it look like if I prayed that my city would be solidly joined together in Christ? 
Jesus prayed, “May they be one, as You Father, are in Me and I am in You.  May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me.  I have given them the glory you have given Me.  May they be one as We are one.” (John 17:21-22).

PRAYER:  Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for helping me find peace that is found by focussing on Your promises.  Another way I am able to obtain peace is by obeying You. My ultimate peace will come the day Jesus returns, but until then, I pray I will align my prayers with Yours by praying for peace and oneness.  It is Your desire that people will come to know Jesus is Lord, and that He came to earth to redeem us from our sins, and to give us new life, with the promise of inheriting eternal life. I pray I will be totally devoted to You God, and I ask that You use me to help others find You. I thank You that those who love you will prosper and receive Your peace.  Amen

- Robin Orefice