July 8

1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81, Acts 26:1-32, Psalm 6:1-10, Proverbs 18:20-21



Pray: Today we are looking at Israel in exile and the Apostle Paul who is willing to reside in prison where he is, but fully realize that Paul is living in more of a state of freedom than anyone else. Pray for the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds.

Read: Paul is ready to let go of the pettiness in the life of the Roman guard and reminding the local government that many people will not stay at their new jobs very long. Paul is passionate about people being free in the love of Christ. Notice how Paul feels, that in spite of his own life bring threatened, that God was still in control and working within the circumstance.

Edify: Paul speaks clearly about his own conversion to Jesus Christ. He speaks of how Jesus blinded him so that he could see. Often we think that being blind will impede our ability to see, but in Jesus Christ we find that our ability to see will empower our ability to spiritually lead beyond ourselves.

Practice: The word from Proverbs is that the right words, wise words, bring satisfaction. Too often we may speak before we think instead of thinking, taking a deep breath, then speaking after we have taken a moment to pause and reflect. Words can bring death and life says Proverbs. Thus, it is vital to bring life where we can and death only under severe circumstances. Bring life, encouragement, wherever and whenever you can.