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 back to our Bible study. Today we are in Acts chapter 25. Paul remains imprisoned in

Cessaria as the new governor, Festus, takes power. The Jewish leaders aim to bring Paul to Jerusalem

with plans to ambush and kill him, but Festus insists on conducting the trial in Cessaria. During the hearing, the Jews presentations they cannot substantiate,

while Paul defends himself, asserting his innocence of any wrongdoing against Jewish law, the temple, or Caesar.

When Festus, seeking to appease the Jews, proposes sending Paul to Jerusalem,

Paul appeals to Caesar, exercising his

right as a Roman citizen. Festus sees nothing deserving of death in Paul's actions, but is willing

to send him to Rome. Later, King Agrippa and his sister Bernice visit Festus. Festus discusses

Paul's case, and Agrippa expresses interest in hearing from Paul

before he is sent to Caesar. This sets up a major speech, and presentation coming in the next chapter.

God's timing and will are often beyond our understanding. Paul faces lengthy and challenging

struggles among the Jews. Even in these trials, God is using him,

and we must trust that he is doing the same with us. Paul's appeal to Caesar demonstrates that

we have the right to take defense of ourselves and seek fairness and legal protection. The key is to

remain steadfast in our faith, confident that God is in control of every situation.

Political leaders and individuals in all forms of power may be fickle and unreliable in their

support as seen in the lives of Jesus and Paul. We must continue to share Jesus with everyone,

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