A Devotional Study of the Living Word of God

Psalm 119:75 Even while we serve the LORD we walk with filthy feet, the LORD is righteous to bring discipline into our way. Like the apostle Peter we need to let Jesus wash our feet from time to time, otherwise we have no part in His ministry.                  John 13:6-10

Good Morning

When a sailor reports to his first submarine he has enough knowledge about submarine duty to earn the title given to him by graduating Submarine School. The designation attached to his rate, if he were a Third Class Quarter-Master would look like this; QM3(su). Before completing Submarine School he would wear the rating, QM3. The (su) stands for “Submarines Unqualified” The QM3 has one year from the time he reports on board his first submarine to become qualified, or to change the designation from (su) to (ss). Along with what the sailor has learned from submarine school, the on the job training on the submarine and the final testing by qualified men on the submarine the sailor will be justified to wear silver dolphins. It is hard work, most make it, but not all people who try do. To be qualified or justified for eternity with God is just the opposite. The work of being with God in eternity is already completed, Jesus is the end the Law for righteousness to all who believe. Romans 10:4 There is no work, no study, no long nights trying to learn by hands on training. Jesus has completed all the necessary work for you. When you believe this truth, God will give you the gift of salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9. Before knowing this truth the Word of God calls you an “unbeliever” 1 Corinthians 6:6. So salvation then is qualified or justified at the point of changing your mind from unbelief to belief. This is what the word repentance is all about. Unbelief is a system of dead works that mankind does. Belief is accepting by faith the once for all completed work by Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:1-8. Many fail to believe, thus they remain unqualified or unjustified and only a few have faith to enter His rest.

Acts 24

Due to having to re-certify for EMS, Acts 23:24-30 is repeated. We will start fresh in Chapter 24 on Monday, March 02, 2009.

Acts 23:24-30 Claudius sends the apostle to the governor; Felix. He states that he came to Paul's rescue because he had heard that the man was a Roman. Lier, lier, pants on fire. Claudius did not find this out until he was about to have Paul scourged. For career minded people a little lie here or there is normal. In today's world it is always the easiest thing to do. As long as you have the cart and the horse, it does not matter whether the horse is in the front or the back as long as it is believable.

Acts 23:31-34 Paul's journey to Caesarea was uneventful, the only question that Felix is requiring is that of Paul's citizenship and birth place. Tarsus, of Cilicia – Roman occupied or controlled land about three hundred miles North from where Felix is in Caesarea. The Roman barracks at Antripatris is but a small trip to Caesarea and being satisfied with this information, Felix went back to bed.

Acts 23:35 Herod's headquarters, or Herod's Palace. This is the very place that Felix was living in Herod's Palace. The Praetorium is one of the outer buildings on the palace compound. Could have been a holding place for prisoners who's cases were waiting to be heard, or it could have been a reasonable accommodation setup for people who had business or appointments with Felix. Matthew Henry's commentary states that God always provides the best accommodations for persecuted saints.