“I consider myself fortunate.” – Acts 26:2 (Acts 26:1-32)

After two years in Caesarea, held in ah Roman prison, Saul Paul whar at last called upon ter testify be fer King Agrippa. Tha king assumed tha throne when he whar around seventeen, so by tha time Saul Paul stood be fer him, King Agrippa be near ’bout thirty-three.

“Listen to me patiently,” said Saul Paul. “For a long time I lived according to the strictest sect of our religion and now my hope is in what God promised our fathers. This is why I am on trial. I too opposed the name of Jesus. I too put many in prison for following Jesus. I too put many to death for following Jesus. I cast my vote against them. I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession, I went to foreign cities to persecute them.”

Right off we kin see how Saul Paul come clean and confessed that he understood why others be seeking ter take his life: that he himself could sympathize with ’em, fer at one time he be jest like ’em. This ought ter be tha attitude of all us. Be fer tha Son saved us with his blood, we were his enemies. We stood with tha persecutors. But praise be, tha Son done saved us from all our filthy living.

Saul Paul continued by saying, “I was sent to open the eyes of those in darkness, to bring them into the light. I was sent to turn them from the power of Satan to God. I was sent that they may receive forgiveness of sins. I was sent that they might have a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus. I preach that all should repent, turn to God, and prove their repentance by their deeds. For this purpose I have had God’s help to this very day. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said.”

At this point Festus, the governor, piped up. “You are out of your mind, Paul! Your great learning is driving you insane.”

Saul Paul replied, “I am not insane. What I am saying is true and reasonable. King Agrippa is familiar with these things.” Turning ter tha king he said, “Do you believe the prophets?”

At this King Agrippa shot back, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

“Short or long,” Saul Paul said, “I pray to God that not only you, but all who are listening to me today may become what I am.”

Time be short. Ever day we move one step closer ter tha end of us. Lubbers ‘ill go down in ter tha grave; sailors ‘ill go down ter Davy Jones. Kings and common folk, free and slave, princes and paupers, all end as food fer worms. Question be, whar ya going after ya go down?

This also be tha question posed ter tha young king. Agrippa might ‘ave thought he had ah grip on matters, only tha deep questions of life whar beyond his learning, his pedigree, his perspective.

“Do you think that you can persuade me to be a Christian?” This be tha question others might ask us.

When they do, doth not seek ter argue with ’em. Ya ‘ill only be wasting yer breath. Instead listen carefully ter thar excuses, thar account of past grievances, thar reasons fer thinking they know better than Skipper ’bout life and death and heaven and hell. If tha Holy Ghost of Truth prompts ya with a word, if ya spot an opening that seems welcoming, engage with a wee bit more kindness. But if no opening comes, take note of thar name, thar story, tha wounds they revealed.

Then pray fer ’em. This be tha example of Saul Paul. “I pray to God that not only you, but all who are listening to me today may become what I am.”

Long ago someone most likely prayed fer ya ter fall at tha feet of tha Son. If ya consider yerself fortunate ter be in tha Son, return tha favor. 

Join in their purification rites. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you. – Acts 21:24  (Acts 21:17-25)

Once Saul Paul reached Jerusalem, tha “brothers” welcomed him, Silas, Luke, and tha rest with claps on tha back and hugs. Next day Saul Paul and Silas met with James and tha elders and reported all Skipper achieved among tha Gentiles during tha pair’s second trek among tha churches in Asia and Greece.

After hearing Saul Paul’s report, James and tha others said, “Brother, see how many thousands of Jews have believed and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”

Think on this a wee little bit: James and tha other brothers laid this charge on Saul Paul: “Join in purification rites. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.” Now James knew good and well that tha Son called Saul Paul ter preach and teach ter tha Gentiles. James even admitted that tha council of brothers laid no other charge on tha Gentiles except ter abstain from food sacrificed ter idols, from blood, from tha meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. Only now James and tha rest want Saul Paul ter be washed with ceremonial water so as not ter offend them who live by tha traditions of men and ways of tha old covenant.

This right here be what ya might call an arithmetic problem: according ter James, tha Son + 1 more thing = holiness. If Saul Paul whar required to join in “purification rites” in order ter be clean of his sins, then that means tha Son not be enough. And if tha Son not be enough ter wash Saul Paul clean of his sins, then we all be doomed, fer no feller or lass kin wash away thar sins with water, even if it be of a ceremonial kind. So that be problem one.

Problem two seems ter be tha motive behind James’ charge ter Saul Paul. James claimed, “Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.” James ought ter ‘ave known that Saul Paul whar upright in all he done and testified ter tha zealous Jews ’bout this fact. Instead James seems ter shrink and slink away, siding with them who wished ter heap guilt upon Saul Paul. James even seems ter be boasting ’bout tha, “thousands of Jews who believed.”

Once tha Son warned, “Out of the mouth come things from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean’ “(Matthew 15:18). It seems James whar still clinging ter tha old covenant, his old ways, and preferred tha favor of others ter tha saving mercy that comes from tha Son. Now it may be that James thought himself special, seeing as how he be tha Son’s earthly brother. If so, that reveals a heart filled with pride.

Even with all this, Saul Paul obliged and did all James asks so as not ter ’cause friction among James, tha brothers, and them zealous Jews who demanded that all must abide by tha law of circumcision, purification rites, and tha old covenant.

As ya might guess, none of this mattered ter them zealous Jews, fer when tha seven days of purification be near ’bout over, some Jews from tha province of Asia seen Paul at the temple and stirred up tha whole crowd. Things got so out of hand that tha crowd seized Saul Paul with the idear of killing him.

Thar only be one right answer ter this arithmetic problem: you + tha Son = salvation. Should a feller or lass demand ya add something ter tha Son in order ter be holy, be on yer way, fer ya kin be sure thar accounting be off. Should a feller or lass demand ya subtract from the moral code of Skipper in order ter affirm and love ah feller or lass, be on yer way, fer ya kin be sure thar accounting be off.

All ya need is tha Son. He be enough. Keep Skipper’s moral Code of Conduct—not ter be saved, fer tha Code cannot save a feller—but ter show yer love fer Skip and his Son. Do this and ya ‘ill please Skipper and his boy, of this ya kin be certain.

“The Lord’s will be done.” Acts 21:14 (Acts 21:1-16)

After leaving Ephesus, Saul Paul and his crew sailed ter Caesarea. When they arrived they stayed at tha home of Philip tha evangelist, one of tha Seven who whar set apart ter minister ter tha body of believers. Once tha crew got squared away, ah prophet named Agabus came down from Judea and taking Saul Paul’s belt, Agabus tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

When all heard this, they pleaded with Saul Paul ter spare himself this trouble and skip his planned trip ter Jerusalem.

Saul Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, ever feller and lass gave up trying ter talk sense in ter him, and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

“The Lord’s will be done . . . ” How many times doth we throw up our hands, sigh, surrender, and spout this line?

When we get ter tha end of our will and it be clear that Skip’s plans be greater than ours, we ‘ill often reluctantly accept that we not be in control: that whatever happens, be it good or bad — and a good many times we be near ’bout sure tha stuff ‘ll be bad — we ‘ill say, “There, now. Ya deal with it, Skipper. I’m washing my hands of tha matter.”

Only this not be tha way Saul Paul approached Skip’s will. He seen tha lay of things more clearly than his mates and in his spirit he knowed he whar ter go back ter Jerusalem in order ter give account of all he done while in Asia. Though squalls and storms lay jest over tha horizon fer him, he sailed on expecting tha worst and preparing fer it.

Question be, doth we sail tha course Skip plots fer us with tha same eagerness. Doth we show our starch by standing firm and holding tha course regardless of how violent tha tempest?

Now ter be sure, tha Son made plain ter Saul Paul what troubles he would face, but knowing ’bout storms ter come not be tha same as sailing in ’em. Not by ah long shot.

When Skipper warns of squalls, persecution, beatings, imprisonment, take such warnings ter heart. Batten down tha hatches. Send away those in yer crew who kin not endure ter tha end and ‘ill fill yer ears with doubts and be constantly begging ya ter fall off and run be fer following seas.

Tha Son promises each of us we ‘ill go through heavy weather. Prudent sailors ‘ill set out with proper gear, proper training, and dogged determination ter hold ter tha course marked out fer ’em: even if it means going down with tha ship.

Make it yer task ter pray that with Skip’s strength and stamina, ya ‘ill stand yer watch ter tha very end.

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Acts 20:28 (Acts 20:19-32)

As he prepared ter leave Asia fer tha last time and head off ter Jerusalem and then Rome, Saul Paul wrote words of gratefulness ter them who helped him along his journey. Those in Saul Paul’s crew included:

• Soapter of Berea
• Secundus of Thessalonica
• Gaius of Derbe
• Timothy of Derbe
• Tychicus of Macedonia
• Trophimus of Asia
• Apollos of Alexandria
• Priscilla and Aquila of Rome who settled in Corinth
• Dionysius of Athens
• Damaris of Athens
• Silas of Jerusalem
• Jason of Thessalonica
• Lydia of Thyatira
• Judas Barasbaus of Jerusalem
• Simeon Niger of Antioch
• Lucius of Cyrene
• Manaen of Antioch
• Epaphras, founder of the church in Colossi who may have also assisted in planting and serving the churches in Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea.

By tha time Saul Paul set sail fer Jerusalem, ne’er ter return ter tha churches in Asia agin, tha Son whar shinning on churches and growing disciples fer him in Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe, Ephesus, Corinth, Athens, Lystra, Iconium, provinces of Syria and Cilcia, Pisidian Antioch, Colossi, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

At tha conclusion of his work in Asia, Saul Paul said, “I am innocent of the blood of all men. I have boldly proclaimed to you the whole will of God. I have completed the task. I have declared to both Jews and Gentiles, to all men, that they must turn to God in repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus. I am compelled by the Spirit. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears. I have not hesitated  to preach anything that would be helpful to you. Therefore keep watch over yourselves. Keep watch over all those in your care. Be good shepherds of the church of our Lord which he bought with his own blood.”

This be tha conclusion of tha matter fer Saul Paul and that task laid upon all who would dare ter proclaim tha good spiel and disciple others.

Complete tha task laid upon ya. In humility declare that all must turn ter Skipper in repentance and faith in our Lord, tha Son. Serve tha Lord with great humility by demonstrating love ter all, joy in all circumstances, tha peace of Skipper, patience in trials, kindness in times of praise and in response ter opposition, goodness ter all, gentleness ter all, faithfulness in all circumstances, and self-control over yer tongue, thoughts, heart, and flesh.

Do this and ah righteous crew ‘ill be those who sail in yer wake, ya may lay ter that.

Because some Jews had plotted against Paul just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. Acts 20:1-6 (Acts 20:3)

After tha riot and ruckus in Ephesus, Saul Paul, Silas, and Luke bid tha disciples good-bye and set off fer Macedonia. Thar Saul Paul went through tha area spouting many words of encouragement ter tha believers until at last he arrived in Corinth whar he stayed three months. During this time in Corinth Saul Paul penned these words:

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7).

Thus, while he waited fer tha winter weather ter abate, Saul Paul wrote words of encouragement ter tha believers in Rome.

When tha three months be up and jest as they whar about ter set sail fer Syria and head on up ter Jerusalem, some Jews made plans ter kill Saul Paul. Most likely they wanted Saul Paul dead fer tha message he spake, but also ’cause he had gathered a good deal of wealth from tha churches fer tha believers in Judea suffering persecution.

This be Saul Paul’s way: encouraging and gathering funds fer those believers who be oppressed. Ah good many times we think we got a hard go of it, that tha rowing we do be back-breaking work. And often times that be tha case. Only back in those days in Judea and Samaria near ’bout all believers faced hardship and peril ever day. Economic persecution agin tha church be fierce. Jealous Jews continued to round up believers and toss ’em in ter prison.

Tha Son warned such hardship would come ter believers:

“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also (John 15:19-20).

Encouragement, admonishment, assistance: those be tha resources Saul Paul brung ter believers. Kin we say we deliver tha same ter feller believers? Doth we pray fer, write ter, send funds ter, offer words of hope, encouragement, and correction? Of doth we jest let folks drift along with wind and currents on whatever course they sail without any regard fer thar safety? 

Sensing this band of pirates meant them harm, Saul Paul, Silas, and Luke left tha port of Cenchrea and back-tracked through Macedonia. Thar crew of Sopater from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Tim, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia, went on ahead and waited for ’em at Troas. Once Saul Paul, Silas, and Luke reached Philippi, tha three went aboard ah ship bound fer Troas.

What began with ah riot in Ephesus devolved in ter ah murderous plot ter kill Saul Paul and rob believers of assistance. Only, think on this ah wee little bit: Saul Paul, through tha nudging of tha Holy Ghost of Truth, left fer Jerusalem by ah nudder way. Years earlier, some wise fellers, ‘aving been warned in ah dream not ter go back ter Herod, returned ter thar country by ah nudder route (Matthew 2:12). Soon after tha wise fellers took off, Joseph, tha earthly step-dad of tha Son, got ah divine warning.

An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” (Matthew 2:13)

Be fer that, Skipper instructed Moses on which direction ter head off.

“Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” (Exodus 14:1-4)

In all ways and at all times Skipper be seeking ter bring glory ter himself — ter draw all folks ter himself. Sometimes he ‘ill warn his own of trouble and advise that we take another route. It be on us ter pay attention and obey.

By listening ter tha Holy Ghost of Truth, Saul Paul spared his life and preserved tha funds meant fer tha believers.

Make it yer task ter keep year ears close ter tha ground and near ’bout always right next ter tha feet of tha Son. Do this and ya ‘ill know fer certain that tha course ya sail be one marked out fer ya by Skipper. Might not always be a pleasant passage, but if ya be sailing with tha Son, yer soul ‘ill be in good hands, ya may lay ter that.

If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. Acts 19:39 (Acts 19:12-41)

After Saul Paul decided ter gather gifts fer tha brothers and sisters in Judea, he passed through Ephesus. While thar ah great disturbance broke out agin tha Way.

Ah silversmith named Demetrius made silver shrines ter tha little god Artemis and that chap made ah good deal of money off’n his work. He called tergether all workers in tha idol-making trade and warned ’em that if they whar not careful, Saul Paul would put ’em out of business, fer he promoted only one god, Skipper.  “Also the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited if this Paul fellow keeps this up,” he said, “and the goddess herself will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

Now as ya well know, thar be no divine dignity or magic power in little gods, fer all man-made gods simply be idols ter tha Devil himself. Ever god ever crafted by man come from tha mind of man and tha mind of man be perverted by tha thoughts from tha Devil.

When tha workers of tha idol trade heard Demetrius spreading such talk, they became furious and started shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Soon tha whole city be in an uproar. Folks rushed ter seize Gaius and Aristarchus, Saul Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. Saul Paul himself wanted ter appear befer tha crowd but tha disciples forbade him. Even some of tha officials of the province, friends of Saul Paul, sent him a message begging him not ter venture near tha theater whar tha mob be gathered.

Inside tha theater tha rabble whar in great confusion. Some shouted one thing, some another. Most didn’ even know why they whar thar: they simply showed up due ter all tha commotion. All shouted in unison fer about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

Such be tha behavior of them led astray by tha lies of tha Devil. Thar blood boils hot, tongues flap, fists fly. They ‘ill make all manner of demands ter be heard and claim they be aggrieved by one party or ah nudder. Only most kin not cite evidence of why they hate and lash out. They kin only say other folks aggrieved ’em.

Tha city clerk, fearing Roman soldiers might take matters in ter thar own hands, quieted tha crowd with these words: “If Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.”

Now think on this a wee little bit: when tha man of lawlessness comes, rioting and shouting, looting and shooting, ‘ill be ah normal day fer most folks. All ‘ill live in fear of thar neighbor. All ‘ill be estranged from family and friends, fer tha power of tha Devil be great over folks when they give themselves over ter hate, lies, and wickedness.

Tha fruit of Skip’s Holy Ghost of Truth be love, joy, peace, tolerance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Agin this tha Devil stands no chance. 

Tha end of tha rioting in Ephesus be this: Saul Paul sent fer tha disciples and after encouraging ’em, he bid ’em good-bye and set out fer Macedonia. He traveled through that area speaking many words of encouragement ter folks, finally arriving in Greece whar he stayed three months in Corinth.

Make it yer task ter avoid taking yer grievances ter tha street and becoming mixed up with rabble rousers whose only goal be ter cause mischief. Instead, seek ter offer kind words, restore relationships, and above all, listen intently ter folks while they pour out thar heart. Who knows but in doing so ya ‘ill draw others ter tha light of tha Son.

“Jesus I Know, and Paul I Know About, but Who Are You?” Acts 19:15 (Acts 19:8-16)

While in Ephesus, Saul Paul spake boldly fer three months in tha synagogue. Thar he carefully explained how tha Son be Skip’s boy and how all who repent of thar sins and believe in tha Son ‘ill be saved. Only some obstinate fellers refused ter believe. Worse they publicly maligned tha Way, spouting all sorts of lies ’bout Saul Paul’s message and his teachings.

Fer this reason Saul Paul moved ter tha lecture hall of Tyrannus. Thar he spent two years preaching and teaching tha words of Skip. During such time as this Saul Paul worked many extraordinary miracles and cast out a whole passel of evil spirits: so much so that even tha handkerchiefs and aprons that brushed agin him whar taken ter tha sick and they whar healed.

In tha midst of all this some fellers who be tha sons of Sceva happened by. Seeing as how Saul Paul wielded such power by simply invoking tha name of tha Son, tha Seven sought ter grab a wee bit of fame fer themselves and practice exorcism in tha Son’s name. They would spout, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.”

Only one time while they tried this, an evil spirit answered ’em. “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Right then tha poor feller who had tha evil spirit in him pounced on tha Seven. Tha evil spirit gave tha Seven such ah beating that they ran out of tha house naked and bleeding.

As a result, tha name of tha Son became held in high honor, as it should be. Many folks openly confessed thar evil deeds. Ah goodly number who practiced sorcery and demonic divination brought thar scrolls tergether and burned ’em in public. More and more after this tha word of tha Son spread.

Think on this ah wee little bit: tha power ter cast out evil spirits, heal folks, and perform miracles doth not reside in ah name but a person — and that chap be tha Son. Simply saying his name like it be a magic chant ‘ill no more bring down his power than mumbling senseless words. No, if ya seek tha power of tha Son ya ‘ill need his Holy Ghost of Truth. Even then, ya need ter make sure that tha prayer ya praying and task ya seeking ter do be in Skip’s will. While on earth tha Son doth not heal ever feller, but only them who Skip authorized, fer tha Son always and only did his father’s business.

Tha warning we kin take from this short tale be this: dealing in magic, chants, sorcery, and messing around with evil spirits kin lead ter a beating and worse: tha sort of death that ne’er ends.

Tha encouragement we kin take from this short tale be this: if Skip calls ya ter do his business and ya obey, his power through tha Holy Ghost of Truth ‘ill flow through ya inter others.

Start with prayer. Start with seeking Skip’s will. Avoid showy signs meant ter bring attention ter yesrself. In all things point back ter tha Son fer he alone be worth honor and glory.

Finally, ne’er ferget this: evil spirits know tha Son. Question be, doth ya know tha Son? And if an evil spirit whar asked ’bout ya, would they know ya ter be a follower of tha Son?