Category: Bible devotionals

How God’s mercy was exhibited through Paul

This story about Paul is challenging on several levels.

His reaction to difficult circumstance

Paul knew he had a job to do:  witness to Caesar about Jesus Christ.  He did not care what difficult circumstances he had to go through to get to Rome.  He did not care that he was going as a prisoner, instead of a first-class passenger.

His tenacity in prayer

I love the quiet prayer times my husband and I have in our living room.  I love the times we gather for prayer with others.  I have even been some all-night prayer meetings.  I have never had to pray for two weeks, amidst a terrible storm at sea – and Paul wasn’t even praying for himself – he was praying for the other people on board!  Anti-semitism, hating Jewish people just because they are Jewish, is on the rise today, but it is nothing new.  Paul was even praying for people who may not have liked him just because of his nationality.  I believe that he prayed that everyone on board would have a chance to know Christ and to see God’s glory.

His ability to get on with the job

The passengers and crew all survived the shipwreck.  Paul did not stand around to see what would happen – he helped pick up firewood so everyone would be warm.  He was willing to help meet the practical needs of others.

His ability to shake off distractions

Paul was attacked by a poisonous snake, but just shook it off into the fire.  A snake is a pretty big distraction – but Paul treated it as nothing.

His ability to handle gossip about himself

First the islanders thought he was a murderer.  Their opinion changed rapidly when Paul did not die.  Then they thought he was a god.  The gossip probably served the purpose of bringing Paul to the attention of Publius.

His ability to pray

Paul saw a need that he knew Jesus could handle.  He prayed for an older man with a fever and dysentery.  Word spread and Paul ended up praying for many people.  He brought glory to Jesus with his actions and attitudes.

All these lead me to desire more spiritual growth – so that I too can handle difficult circumstances, can pray even if my own circumstances are stormy and rocky, can do what needs to be done, can shake off distractions, can have a correct reaction to gossip about myself, and can see the needs of others and see them meet in prayer.

Prayer:  Lord, I will never be an apostle, but help me grow in all the above areas.  I want to be more like you. Amen.

God’s Mercy Overflows (Part 2)

Acts 28:5  However, he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

The “certain island” Paul said they must land upon was Malta.  Every one of the 276 people on board made it to land.  No lives were lost as God had promised Paul.

Those from the shipwreck were welcomed, with the locals building a fire.  Paul gathered wood to put it on the fire, and a poisonous snake and attached itself to his hand. He just shock it off into the fire – the viper was a minor distraction to him.  The local people expected him to die, and thought he was a murderer that the goddess of justice would not allow to live.  They watched him, but Paul continued to live.  They then thought he was a god.  How quickly they gossiped and how quickly their minds changed!

The leading man of the island, Publius, welcomed them and entertained them for three days.  His father was ill, and Paul prayed for him and laid his hands on him.  The man was healed.    Word of this spread on the island, so other people came and were healed by Paul’s prayers.

God’s mercy to Paul was overflowing to the passengers on the ship as they did not perish in the sea.  But, God did not stop there – he made the locals notice Paul by having a snake try to attack him. He also had a leader of the island be kind to everyone, and had Paul heal a sick man, so that the people of the island and those from the ship would know that God can heal. They could see the glory of God and had a chance to see Jesus as Lord.

 The two week storm had led Paul to a place in which people were open to the gospel and he could hold a healing revival.  Scripture does not say that Paul preached the gospel – just that he prayed for healing.  However, Paul’s mode of operation was always to talk of Jesus to anyone who would listen – and the healing gave him an audience. 

The trip to Rome as interrupted so that more people could know Jesus.   How merciful is our God!

Sometimes  hardships and interruptions  open doors to ministry.  My husband was very ill in our first year of marriage – at one point I wondered whether I would be a widow before our first anniversary.   One day, when my husband had recovered enough that he could sit in a room and visit with me, a man came in, with worry written all over him.  I was able to ask him if we could pray for him, saying that my husband was a minister, and that I understood how it felt to be concerned about a family member.    The man’s mother was indeed very ill – and we had a chance to minister to him.  He later talked privately with my husband.  God had used a situation that was unpleasant for us both to open a door of ministry to an individual who greatly needed encouragement.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, when interruptions and hardships come, help me be open to see the ministry opportunities that may arise with the situation.

CC: K Carswell, 2023

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

God’s grace among stormy seas

Acts 27:9b -11: Paul gave his advice and told them, :”Men, I see this voyage is headed toward damage and heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship but also of our lives.” But the centurion paid attention to the captain and the owner of the ship rather than to what Paul said. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to set sail from there, hoping somehow to reach Phoenix, a harbor on Crete open to the southwest and northwest, and to winter there.

Acts:27::21b -24 Paul stood up among them and said, “You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss. Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship. For this night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me, and said . “Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. And, look! God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.”

If you were the centurion who would you listen to: one of your prisoners or a ship’s captain? The experts in sailing were the captain and the ship’s owner — Paul was only a prisoner. Fair Havens was not a suitable port for wintering in — so they decided to chance it as soon as a favorable wind sprung up. They should have listened to Paul.

The moderate south wind was short lived and was soon replaced by a northeaster. The storm was terrible; they were doing everything they could to lighten the load — the second day of the storm they got rid of some of the cargo, the third day, the ship’s tackle was thrown overboard. The tackle was no longer needed to unload the cargo! It was eleven more days `before they began to approach land. The men were not even eating during this time.

Imagine going through a storm so severe for 14 days that you abandon all hope of being saved. You are constantly being tossed about by the waves, and even experienced sailors are giving up hope.

What were Paul and his friends doing during the storm? I believe they were praying — not only for themselves, but for everyone on the ship. I believe they asked for their lives and that those who did not know the Lord would see God’s glory. I believe Paul prayed for others, even as his own life was at risk.

The storm raged for days. Then Paul speaks. Paul had a destiny to fulfill: he must stand before Caesar. Paul would not perish in a storm before that happened. God was having mercy on Paul, and Paul would fulfill his kingdom purpose. There were other believers on board:, including Luke, as he writes these passages using ‘we’. They had purposes to fulfill as well. The ship’s 276 people also included many non-believers, but God’s mercy to Paul extended to them and they would not lose their lives.

Some sailors tried to escape the ship, by letting down a boat. However, Paul knew that everyone was to stay on the ship, so the soldiers, this time believing Paul, cut away the ropes from the ship’s boar.

The soldiers did not want to be responsible for escaped prisoners, so wanted to kill them. The centurion wanted to save Paul, so forbad it. Again, mercy extended to Paul ended up being mercy extended to a larger group.

Paul gave good advice not to sail. They sailed anyway, and came across a huge storm. This caused additional hardship for Paul and the others believers on board. The ship’s crew lost their cargo, and yet no lives were lost. God’s plan for Paul allowed him to give mercy to everyone on the ship.

God was merciful to the Jewish people by sending them a Saviour. Yet, Jesus’ sacrifice was so great that God made sure it was for all people, not just the Jewish race.

Isaiah 49:6 He says “It is not enough for you to be My Servant raising up the tribes of Jacob and restoring the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations, to be My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

God’s mercy to the Jewish people has overflowed to the gentile nations, it has became salvation to the world. Praise God — it even extends to me!

God has been so merciful to me in my life. How have I let that mercy be extended to others? I can think of times I have shared my resources with others. Yet, I feel I need to let God’s mercy flow through me even more.

Paul went through hardship even as God was being merciful to him and others. Am I willing to go through hardship, so that others might be blessed?

Prayer: Lord, Jesus, thank you for your great mercy to me. You have been very merciful to me as I went through stormy seasons in my life. Let me allow that mercy to overflow to others. Amen.

cc: K Carswell, 2023

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Acts 26: A Known Life

Acts 26:4 All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem.

Paul’s life was not hidden. It was not unknown to his accusers. He had worked with those who were accusing him for many years. He had testified about his life, and why he was serving Jesus, to them before. They had heard about how he was radically changed and had seen the results of it.

Paul was giving his testimony before Governor Festus and King Agrippa. He honored King Agrippa, saying that he knew the king believed the prophets (Acts 26:27). He gave the king the chance to become a Christian, which the king did not accept. Paul was more concerned about giving his listeners a chance to hear about Jesus, than about being set free. King Agrippa declared Paul’s innocence of any crime, telling the governor that he could be set free — if he had not appealed to Caesar.

Paul’s life was known — and the fact that he was innocent was known, too.

I am not, and never will be, famous. Yet, there are those who know my life from the beginning. They know if my testimony is true or not. They know how I have grown as a Christian and how much I still need to grow.

Prayer: Father, my life in known — not only to You, but to those close to me and to the people I regularly deal with. Father, help me life be a testimony to your glory. Amen.

CC: K Carswell 2022

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Acts 25: Innocent and Hated

Acts 25:10 But Paul said, “I am standing at Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as even you can see very well. If then I am doing wrong. or have done anything deserving of death, I do not refuse to die, but if there is nothing to what these men accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

The Jewish leaders accused Paul of many things. as they stood before Festus in Caesarea. They were not able to prove them. Paul had not done anything wrong. He had gone to many cities in which Jews lived and told people about Christ, encouraging them to repent. The Jews wanted Paul dead, and Paul knew it. Remember Paul’s nephew in Acts 23 who overheard a plot to kill Paul? They had planned to kill him before he got to Jerusalem. Paul knew the level of their hatred. He appealed to Caesar so that he would not be turned over to the Jews. He also remembered what God had said to him: “Have courage! For as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).

Paul was a travelling apostle. He knew God wanted him to speak in Rome. How nice it would be if he could travel to Rome in a first class cabin, with all the luxuries — but no, he was going to Rome as a prisoner. Paul wanted to fulfill God’s call on his life. It did not matter to him if he fulfilled it as a free man or as a prisoner. I marvel at Paul’s dedication to the Lord.

Question: Will I be that dedicated to the Lord when my trials comes? Will I still follow the Lord, even if I am hated by others for no reason?

Prayer: Lord, Help me to follow you fully. Help me to serve you even if (and when) my outside circumstances are not so pleasant. Help me to know Your call on my life and to fulfill it.

Photo credits: M or K Carswell,

CC: K Carswell 2022

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Acts 24: Felix’s Desire

Acts 24: 24-26 After some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control and the judgement to come, Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I find time I’ll call for you.: At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason he sent for him quite often and conversed with him.

The Jewish leaders had accused Paul of being an agitator among the Jews and a ringleader of the Sect of the Nazarenes. Paul had given his defense, but Felix adjourned the hearing saying that he was waiting for Claudius Lysias, a Roman commander, to come. Felix became afraid at what Paul was saying so adjourned the hearing.

He called Paul often, wanting to converse with him. Paul was telling him about Jesus, about salvation, showing him the way of eternal life. However, what Felix wanted was a bribe.

Imagine the picture: Paul a prisoner, with very limited financial means, speaking before a governor, who was wearing the robes of his office. Paul was willing to speak about Jesus to anyone, and was gladly telling the governor how to come to faith. But the governor was waiting for a bribe–more interested in a little extra cash than in the eternal salvation of his soul.

Felix, how could you be so stupid?

But wait –what kind of choices am I going to make today? Am I going to spend time with Jesus, reading his word and worshipping him, or am I going to fill all my time with work, games and hobbies? Am I concerned about others who do not know Jesus yet, or am I ignoring the reality of hell? Do my choices honor Jesus or am I just going about my day to please myself?

Prayer: Lord, help me make proper choices today — choices that bring You glory and honor. Amen.

CC: K Carswell 2022

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Acts 17: Gratitude

Acts 16:40, 17:1 After leaving the jail, they came to Lydia’s house where they saw and encouraged the brothers, and departed. Then they travelled through Amphipolis and Apollnia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.

I am grateful for the spread of the gospel. I am grateful for the missionary journeys that Paul and his group undertook.

But I am also grateful for something else: the four time in my life when God allowed me to be part of short-term missions. In February of 1986, I went to St Lucia and Barbados as a helper to an elderly missionary, In February of 1996, I was part of a church group that was ministering in Russia and Estonia and in 2001 I was a part of another church group that ministered in Guatemala. I am also thankful for the time my husband and I spent attending a church in which the senior pastors and many of the congregation grew up in Nigeria. I owned beautiful Nigerian outfits, before I owned a Scottish tartan (which is part of my own ancestry).

Question: How do I participate in missions at this time of my life?

Prayer: God, as I think about the world, and what some of your people in it our currently facing, I cry out to you for mercy. With a thankful heart, I say pour out your blessings on those that need them. Amen.

CC: K Carswell 2022

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Acts 23 A Protected Prisoner

Acts 23:23 He summoned two of his centurions and said, “Get 200 soldiers ready with 70 cavalry and 200 spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. Also provide mounts so they can put Paul on them and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”

Dusty nudged Cornie’s shoulder, thinking he may just have another carrot.

“No more treats for you right now, Dusty. We both have work to do. We have to help transport a prisoner to Caesarea tonight.” Cornie gave his horse a pat on its mane, as he mounted. It was almost time to get into formation for a night ride. Cornie rode to his place in the formation. His centurion smiled at him, and Cornie smiled back. The centurion had the same green eyes as his second oldest daughter. Cornie wanted to please the centurion — not only because he loved being a soldier but because he wanted to get to know his daughter better. He dreamed of going home to her beautiful green eyes every night. “Concentrate Cornie!”, he reminded himself as he took his place in the formation. A sense of anticipation was in the air. Night rides were not that usual, yet he knew that the commander would not have ordered one if it was unnecessary. Cornie was pleased to serve in a unit commanded by Claudius Lysias. Claudius was a fair man and only gave his soldiers necessary duties. Cornie sat up in the saddle, proud to be part of the Roman Cavalry. He noticed that the prisoner was now being brought out — a short, bald Jewish man, who was helped on to a horse. “This is about something even bigger than Rome,” thought Cornie. Then, he shook off the thought. What could be bigger than Rome, the world’s greatest empire?

Soon the command came to move forward and 70 cavalry members, 200 soldiers, 200 spearman and one prisoner left for Caesarea. The ground thundered as they moved.

The story of Cornie and his horse Dusty is of course fiction. Yet, there are so many unnamed people in scripture. It is sometimes fun for me to imagine what they may have been going through.

Paul’s life had been threatened with 40 men making a vow to kill him. The Roman commander took steps to guard his life by sending him to the governor. Paul was guarded by 470 trained soldiers, so if the men had tried to take his life, they would have been out numbered by more than 11 to one. The commander avoided the possible confrontation by having Paul leave the area before the planned attack.

God protects his own — even if he has to use Roman commanders and unnamed cavalry personnel to do it. God had promised Paul he would go to Rome, that Paul would fulfill his purpose and glorify God.

Question for myself: Am I fulfilling my purpose, and letting the consequences rest in God’s capable hands.? Am I doing what I know is God’s purpose for me: things like worshipping him, getting to know Him better and reading his Word?

Prayer: Lord, help me to follow you closely. You are my protection. Amen.

CC: K Carswell 2022

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

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Acts 22 The Protection of Citizenship

Acts 22:25 As they stretched him out for the lash, Paul said the the centurion standing by, “It is legal for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and is uncondemned?”

Paul was in Jerusalem and had just given his testimony about how he met the Lord. He had said that God was sending him to the Gentiles. That thought caused the Jewish people to put up a fuss, throwing aside their robes and throwing sand in the air. The commander wanted to know why the Jewish people were yelling at Paul, so was going to get ready to examine Paul — by having him scourged.

It is interesting that Paul faced punishment when he had done nothing wrong. He had not caused the commotion, the Jews had. Yet, because the commander planned to have Paul examined by scourging. Paul used his rights as a Roman citizen to avoid punishment. The commander was alarmed when he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and he had bound him. Paul had a right to a Roman trial as a citizen.

I am happy to be a citizen of Canada. I have enjoyed many rights and freedoms throughout my life. Responsibilities of citizenship include paying taxes and voting. Yet, in I not only a citizen of my country; I am a citizen of Christ’s Kingdom. As a citizen of the Kingdom, I have a right of access to the King. I can come before his throne at any time — what a beautiful right it is! My King has paid for my salvation, for the forgiveness of my sins and for healing for my body.

I have responsibilities as well — responsibilities to live in a way that honors my King. Paul would later write to the Philippians “Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (part of Philippians 1:27).

My challenges and questions to myself are these: Am I honoring the fact that Jesus has given me access to His throne by taking the time to be in His presence, or am I just going about my day, with Jesus in the background? (Ouch!) Am I seeking to fulfill my responsibilities in the kingdom as diligently as I can, or am I letting them slide?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for allowing me to be a citizen of your kingdom. Help me to honor you as my King as I go about my day. Amen.

CC: K Carswell 2022

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Acts 21: When Stupid Stuff Happens

Acts 21: 21-30:

When the seven-day period was almost over, a number of Jews from western Turkey who had seen him in the temple courts stirred up the whole crowd against him. Seizing him, they shouted, “Men of Israel, help us! This the the man who teaches everywhere what is contrary to our nation, our law, and this temple. And not only that, but now he brings these non-Jewish men with him into the inner courts of our temple! They have made this sacred place ritually unclean. (For Trophimus, an Ephesian, had been seen previously with him, and they assumed that he entered the inner courts with Paul). This ignited a huge riot . . .

A riot occurred, A Roman commander heard that the city was in an uproar. He ended up arresting Paul, but let him speak to the people.

Emotions were running high. So high, that no one bothered to check if Trophimus was actually in the temple courts with Paul. Sigh. Some ‘fact checking’ would have solved the problem. Paul was in Jerusalem, and had taken the advice of the elders in Jerusalem to try and prove that he was living according to the law of Moses. Paul was the apostle to the gentiles — but still an observant Jew.

Paul took the opportunity to speak to the people, to give his defense before them.

It was all he could do. He handled the situation well, even though he had just been arrested by a Roman commander and bound with chains.

How do I respond when ‘stupid stuff’ happens to me? Do I have the grace that Paul did? (Okay, I’ll admit it, usually I don’t.)

Also, have I ever contributed to ‘stupid stuff happening”, assuming I know the facts without checking them out?

Just a couple of things for me to think about . . .

Prayer: Father, when things happen that do not make sense to me, give me the grace to continue serving you. Lord Jesus, you are worthy to be served, no matter what the circumstances are. Amen.

CC: K Carswell 2022

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.