Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started.

Welcome to our study today. We are in Acts chapter 23. Paul defends himself before the Jewish

counsel after his arrest. He proclaims his clear conscience and sparks a dispute between the Pharisees

and Sadducees when he mentions his belief in the resurrection. The argument escalates leading Roman

soldiers to remove Paul for his safety.

That night, the Lord appears to Paul, encouraging him to take heart and assuring him that he will

testify in Rome. Meanwhile, a group of over 40 Jews plot to kill him, vowing to fast until they

succeed. Paul's nephew learns of the scheme and informs the Roman commander,

who arranges for Paul to be escorted to Cesarea under heavy guard. This chapter emphasizes

God's protection, his sovereign plan for Paul, and the courage required to stand for the gospel

in the face of opposition. God's sovereign power and protection

are ever present, even in the face of faithless opposition. Trusting in God's presence is crucial

for standing up for the truth about Jesus. Just as Paul faced the council, even religious people

and parties can be aggressive and threatening. But the

resurrection of the dead transforms us, offering hope and promises that transcend this world. While

Paul's journey was not always pleasant, the challenges he faced led him to share Jesus with

unexpected people like Felix, the governor. We should seek ways to discern how God is

guiding us into new environments and unplanned places, creating significant opportunities to share

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