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But he who trusts in Me shall possess the land and inherit My Holy Mountain" (Isaiah 57:13). |
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Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Thursday, February 13, 2025
Today's Passage : Today's Passage :Agrippa and Bernice Bible Verse:Acts 25:13-22 (ESV) "Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. “ “When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.“ Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.“ “Tomorrow,“ said Festus, “you will hear him.“ " Message:
Much of Acts touches the history of the Middle East, and today we encounter two new figures, Agrippa and Bernice. I hate to say this, but Agrippa is yet another Herod, “Herod Agrippa II,” the son of Herod Agrippa I. Fortunately (for our sanity), the son who we encounter today is known simply as Agrippa. He was the last king of the Herodian dynasty.
Donkey from Book of Hours
French Book of Hours
ca. 1054
Bernice, Agrippa’s sister, had an interesting life. She reigned as a client queen of Rome over various areas, particularly Syria, and had almost as much power as her brother. Although she was married three times to three different kings, the marriages did not last long and she spent most of her life in Agrippa’s court. There were constant rumors of an incestuous relationship between the two. Indeed, Agrippa never married.
Festus outranked them in most important respects. His deference to them stems from their lifelong involvement in Roman politics. Agrippa would one day become a “praetor,“ one of the most powerful political titles in Rome. Bernice would become the mistress of Emperor Titus and almost managed to become the Empress. Historians have called her “the Little Cleopatra.“
Festus must send Paul to Rome for trial; Agrippa and Bernice have no authority over him at this point. Due to their high status in Rome, however, Festus diplomatically allows them to interfere. So Paul will have to undergo another meaningless trial.
Meditation : Prayer : Good shepherd, seek me out, and bring me home to your fold again. Deal favourably with me according to your good pleasure, until I may dwell in your house all the days of my life, and praise you forever and ever with them that are there............Amen |
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