The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 26 April 2025 — Paul’s Defense Before Agrippa
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TOPIC: Paul’s Defense Before Agrippa
READ: Acts 26:19-26 (NKJV)
- ” Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
- “but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and [then] to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
- “For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill [me.]
- “Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come —
- “that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the [Jewish] people and to the Gentiles.”
- Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
- But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.
- “For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.
THE MESSAGE:
Paul testified before Agrippa how he became obedient to his heavenly vision by preaching Christ in Damascus. The Jews at one occasion, seized Paul in the temple and tried to kill him because of his evangelistic activities. However, God helped him and kept him alive to preach the Gospel to all and sundry concerning Christ’s suffering, death, resurrection, and bringing light to both the Jews and Gentiles. During Paul’s defense, Governor Festus accused him of being mad due to his much learning but Paul gently rejected that accusation and said he was speaking words of truth and reason as he knew that King Agrippa understood what he had said.
Some people are shy, fearful or intimidated when asked to speak before dignitaries like kings, governors, presidents, bishops and very influential people. However, Paul was very bold, articulate, and logical in his defense before the king. Have you ever boldly preached the Gospel before your superiors or those in authority? When someone distracts you while you are speaking, do you get distracted and attack the person, or do you quietly address what is said and continue with what you are saying? Ask God to grant you boldness as you witness for Christ (Proverbs 28:1b; 2 Timothy 1:7).
PRAYER: Dear Lord, may Your Spirit grant me utterance whenever I witness for Christ, Amen!
PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY’S DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025
TOPIC: PAUL’S DEFENSE BEFORE AGRIPPA
- Father in the name of Jesus, thank You for the grace to see this new day, the one hundred and sixteenth day in the year 2025 in good health, sound mind and in joy
- Father, thank You for the special gift of life, many wished to see this month, but they couldn’t.
- Thank You Jesus for being there for us, Your children.
- Thank You Lord for Your plans for me this year. They are plans of good, not of evil, to give me a good and successful end.
- Father, please forgive me all my known and unknown sins, and let no sin reign over my life this year, in Jesus’ name
- Holy Spirit, help me to be obedient to heavenly vision by preaching Christ always, in Jesus’ name.
- Father, in time of trials and persecution, please help me and keep me alive for the sake of the Gospel, in Jesus’ name.
- Father, grant me boldness to speak the words of truth as I witness for Christ, in Jesus’ name.
- Father Lord, may Your Spirit grant me ulterance whenever I witness for Christ, in Jesus’ name.
- Holy Spirit, help me to have a deep, flourishing and an unbroken relationship with God, in Jesus name
- LORD, help me to get my life right this year, and let Your perfect will be enforced on me, in Jesus name
- LORD, help us to get it right in Nigeria, and let Your perfect will be enforced on us in Jesus’ name.
- Heavenly Father, let Your peace continue to reign in every part of this country,
- Whether the devil likes it or not, I will make heaven and receive my eternal rewards in Jesus’ Name.
- This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
- Personal and family prayer requests.
- Confession: God bless the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), God bless the Universal Church, and bless our country Nigeria -1 Chronicles 17:27.
- Thank You Lord for answered prayers, in Jesus’ Mighty Name we pray. Amen.
