Acts 24
An Invitation to Intimacy with God!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, August 4.
Does it ever feel like life is going off course?
As we turn to the final chapters of the book of Acts, we find Paul making his way to Rome, just as God promised, but in the least likely of ways—as a prisoner!
In Acts 24:27 we see just how long Paul stayed in Caesarea alone, “When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.” That’s over two years in a prison cell…waiting! Ruler by ruler would examine Paul, and like with Jesus, the rulers find nothing wrong or at fault with him. But in the name of politics and self-preservation, Paul would be kept in prison and on the slow winding path to Rome.
Where was God? Where was His promise?
The great people of God have always been formed in their faith and character through seasons of waiting and wandering: Abraham and the patriarchs, Joseph, Moses, King David… The list of faithful people forged in the fires of life’s circumstances is long and all encompassing!
This is the way of God and this is the way of maturing in faith and character. What appears to be a long, slow, drawn-out, twisted journey from our perspective, is really a straight line to the heart of God.
God is not focused on efficiency; rather, God’s aim is on intimacy!
So what are you to do right now as COVID-19, national politics, community unrest, and international instability is wearing everyone thin and causing people to act out of fear and anxiety?
TRUST GOD! God is calling you to press into your relationship with Him. How will you see the events of this season of your life as an invitation to intimacy with God?
Seize the moment and grow closer to Jesus today. He is inviting you personally!