Have you ever felt the sting of unfair criticism?

The whispers behind your back.

The accusations that twist your intentions.

It hurts, doesn't it?

Well, today, on Insight for Living,

Chuck Swindall continues his in-depth biographical series

on Paul, a man of grace and grit.

In this study, we'll examine several shocking stories recorded in Acts chapters 24 and 25.

Paul was repeatedly confronted with false accusations from corrupt officials, even a conspiracy to kill him.

Rather than drowning in bitterness or self-pity, let's discover Paul's response to godless attacks.

And we begin with prayer.

We thank you, Father, for the gift of life itself.

For the breath that you brought into our lungs when we were first born.

For the parenting that we received from loving moms and dads.

For our neighborhood and friends and school, for family and church, and all the things that

assisted us as we grew up, we thank you for our country.

As long as we have been alive, it has been a land of the free and a home of the brave.

It has been purchased with an enormous price.

As long as we have breath in our lungs, we will give you our praise for your presence,

sustaining us and defending us and shielding us and providing for us.

We bow before you, our Father, for you are our rock and our fortress, our refuge, our very present

help.

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