Felix – Judy in the Sky

Read Acts 24 – Some people are so open-minded their brains fall out!

I don’t know where I heard that expression, but it certainly applies to Governor Felix. Through his time with Paul, he learned about Jesus. His heart had a curiosity. He kept Paul safe and permitted his friends to visit and care for him for two years. He, himself, sent for Paul frequently.

Doesn’t Governor Felix sound like a nice person? Doesn’t he sound like an open-minded, worldly person? Yet in the end he did not act on the information given. He did not accept Christ. He simply left Paul in prison for another to decide – all for the favor of men.

Felix’s life was stuck in this world. He heard the Good News. He heard wisdom and logic, and yet he rejected Jesus by his inactivity. Beloved, we all know people like Felix. Polite people who ask good questions and seem to listen, but in the end, simply turn away. We know that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (see Philippians 2:10-11) There is one road to heaven and it is narrow (See Matthew 7 and Luke 13). Beloved, don’t let these people discourage you. Answer their questions, God’s Word never returns void… It could be the timing, and your “Felix” will process your answers years later, perhaps someone on the periphery is hearing, or perhaps God is building you up with the sharing of your faith. Keep the good faith, my beloved. 📖🗨🧏‍♀️☝🧏‍♂️💬📖

Read Acts 23 – See God’s hand of protection beyond the detail.

The details are bad. Paul is on trial. The Jews are against him. The Politicians are curious, but don’t want the responsibility. Discouragement would be understandable, but for God’s hand of protection…

Beloved, as you read, try to imagine being in Paul’s shoes, there was no earthly reason for him to have hope, but for Jesus, there was hope. See Paul hold his ground when the High Priest wants him slapped, :3. Yet when he is informed that he was speaking to the High Priest, he honors the Word of God and apologizes, :5. Paul is sharp to recognize the division between his accusers, and use it to his advantage. The commander sees the escalation and the soldiers are once again called in to rescue him, :10. The Lord appeared to Paul that very night with encouragement! (:11). The Jews form a plot to kill Paul, and bind themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until he is dead. I wonder how they justified themselves when they failed? Paul’s nephew overheard the plan and tipped the commander, who then sent Paul to Caesarea to meet with Governor Felix.

Beloved, rest in the fact that God’s love is unfailing. You may be up against humanly insurmountable odds, but Jesus’s plan and purpose will always prevail.