December 6 - Acts 28:1-31,  Ephesians 1:1-2:22

Good morning everyone,

When we left off yesterday, Paul was prisoner on a shipwrecked vessel off the coast of Malta. God had come to him and revealed that everyone would be safe if they would stay together and head toward shore. They did and they were. We’re told, once on shore the islanders showed them unusual kindness. 

They stayed on the island for three months. Then with the winter behind them, the prisoners, soldiers and sailors hitched a ride on a ship heading toward Sicily. After a brief stop in Syracuse and Rhegium they arrived in Puteoli where they stayed for a week with some friends and then on to Rome. What a crazy long journey. Yes? What I found super cool was that when it was known that Paul was getting close, many brothers in Christ traveled some forty miles to greet and welcome him there. We’re told that at the sight of these friends Paul thanked God and was encouraged.

When in Rome, Paul called together the Jewish leaders, explained his situation and then we’re told he witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God. That from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some believed and were changed forever more, some were not.

Paul remained under Roman guard in a rented house for two years. He was able to receive visitors and was quite content to be able to continue his ministry, bringing the Gospel to all who were within ear shot. It is during this confinement Paul wrote what is now known as the “Prison Letters”, epistles to the the Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians. 

By reading the epistles Paul wrote you can get  a pretty good picture in our mind’s eye, of how things went for Paul in Rome. Somewhere along the way, he began to get the impression that he would be released from his confinement and be able to freely move about again. In Philippians he wrote, “I trust in the Lord that I myself also [as well as Timothy] shall come shortly.” He also planned to visit Philippi and Colossae, even suggesting that Philemon get “lodging” ready for him. Paul would continue to teach God’s Truth for several more years before being imprisoned again, but that’s getting ahead of the story.

Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” 

As with Paul’s ministry, what begins here on earth with you and with me, will only get bigger, continuing to grow stronger generation to generation. Paul was an unsung hero of the faith who continued to work, through the Holy Spirit for the kingdom of God. You too can be, we all can be, unsung heroes for Christ, changing the world one person at a time by simply living as an example to what a God fearing Christian looks like and sharing God’s truth. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..