Dear Lord God, I wrestle with myself, the lion roams and the wolves snap at me, trying to scare and distract me. But I come to You to bolster my courage and sharpen my focus. For I know that in You and through You I can do all, but without You I can do nothing. So Lord God reach down and take my hand, lift me up and place my feet on solid ground, ready to walk a lone if that is what it takes; prepared to practice Your presence in all I do. Not to frightened back into sinful ways by the roar of lion, not to trip and fall at the sound of the wolves howling in the night. But walking firmly with eyes of faith in what ever You will for me. So Lord God see my commitment, hear my thoughts, I will not allow myself to go back, I will force myself to get up each time I fall, and most of all I will continue to die to myself so I may rise with You. This I say with love for My Lord Jesus Christ for because of His sorrowful passion I am able to sit with You now and share these things, and ask in His name Your help, blessings and forgiveness, Amen.
We must acknowledge that God is happiness itself!
— St. Severvinus
16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him. 17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, "Brethren, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar — though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain." 30 And he lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered.
Bible Study: [17-22] Paul’s first act in Rome is to learn from the leaders of the Jewish community whether the Jews of Jerusalem plan to pursue their case against him before the Roman jurisdiction. He is informed that no such plan is afoot, but that the Jews of Rome have heard the Christian teaching denounced. Paul’s offer to explain it to them is readily accepted. [30-31] Although the ending of Acts may seem to be abrupt, Luke has now completed his story with the establishment of Paul and the proclamation of Christianity in Rome. Paul’s confident and unhindered proclamation of the gospel in Rome forms the climax to the story whose outline was provided in Acts 1:8–"You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem . . . and to the ends of the earth."
4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes behold, his eyelids test, the children of men. 5 The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates him that loves violence. 7 For the LORD is righteous, he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.
Bible Study: [Psalm 11] Of David – A song of trust. Though friends counsel flight to the mountain country (a traditional hideout) to escape trouble (Psalm 11:1-3), the innocent psalmist reaffirms confidence in God, who protects those who seek asylum in the temple (Psalm 11:4-7).
20 Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" 22 Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" 23 The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" 24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. 25 But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Bible Study: [1-23 There are many non-Johannine peculiarities in this chapter, some suggesting Lucan Greek style; yet this passage is closer to John than John 7:53-8:11. There are many Johannine features as well. Its closest parallels in the synoptic gospels are found in Luke 5:1-11 and Matthew 14:28-31. Perhaps the tradition was ultimately derived from John but preserved by some disciple other than the writer of the rest of the gospel. The appearances narrated seem to be independent of those in John 20. Even if a later addition, the chapter was added before publication of the gospel, for it appears in all manuscripts. [22] Until I come: a reference to the parousia. 13 [23] This whole scene takes on more significance if the disciple is already dead. The death of the apostolic generation caused problems in the church because of a belief that Jesus was to have returned first. Loss of faith sometimes resulted; cf 2 Peter 3:4. 14 [24] Who . . . has written them: this does not necessarily mean he wrote them with his own hand. The same expression is used in John 19:22 of Pilate, who certainly would not have written the inscription himself. We know: i.e., the Christian community; cf John 1:14, 16.
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