Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

Father God, help me to quiet my spirit, to hear Your voice from Your Word, and to respond as You desire.

When you hear the word “showtime,” what do you think? For me, I’m embarrassed to say, it triggers memories of a show I stayed up late to watch on the weekends in Junior High, “Showtime at the Apollo.” If you are familiar with it, you are probably smiling. Another acceptable answer would be, “Acts Chapter 26.” For me, this feels like Paul’s showtime.

We started the week talking about the power of the story. And we will finish the week with the same. Verse 1 says, "Agrippa said to Paul, 'You have permission to speak for yourself.’ Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense.” Soak up the account he gives, and think of the stage God has placed him on at this time, i.e. SHOWTIME.

“Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.” Was Paul ready for this? Would you be ready to tell your story? Would you beg the King to listen patiently?

In verse 24, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind.”

Would that detour you? It might rattle me. Paul fires back, I’m speaking true and rational.

In closing, Paul asked, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets?” Agrippa responded, “Would you want me to be persuaded in a short time?”

The chapter closes with Agrippa saying to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Yet through this time, the King hears the gospel of the Risen Savior and Paul authored a majority of the New Testament.

Are you ready for your showtime? Can you speak of your life before Christ? I know you can, but are you willing and able? Can you speak of your conversion and encounter with Christ? Will you share your story or part of your story with someone today? It takes courage and dependence for most of us but can be so rewarding.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Prayer: God, we love You and are so very grateful for how You love us, the fact that You loved us first. May we always remember. Lord, embolden us to take account of Your great love for us and enable us to share it with others. Thank You for saving me, from me.

Family Devo: Paul’s Life Proves His Innocence

By: Scott Strahan

Paul was given the opportunity to defend himself against the charges the Jewish leaders had claimed. Knowing that King Agrippa was extremely knowledgeable of Jewish history, teachings, and customs, he described his life and how he had lived according to all the Jewish customs and teachings. He went on to explain how his belief in Jesus was in keeping with Jewish teaching, although the Jewish leaders claimed that by teaching about Jesus, he violated the law and caused division among the Jewish people. The Jewish leaders had no proof of their claims against Paul, but Paul’s entire life was proof of his defense that he had lived according to Jewish teachings and that his encounter with, and belief in, Jesus was consistent with what the Bible teaches. Our lives should always be an example of what we say we believe.

As Paul describes his life to King Agrippa, he talks about when he met Jesus and how Jesus had called him to teach others about Him. So, in defending himself, Paul also shares Jesus with someone who needs Jesus. As Paul talked with King Agrippa, Governor Festus, who had never taken time to know or understand the Jews, thought Paul had lost his mind. He said this because he simply didn’t understand. This is what the Bible is talking about in 1 Corinthians 1:18 when it says the Gospel of Christ is foolish to those who don’t believe. We don’t have to get mad or aggravated when someone laughs about Jesus or makes fun of us for believing in Him; they simply don’t understand and need to learn about Him. In fact, Acts 26:28 tells us that King Agrippa was very close to believing in Jesus based on what Paul had shared.

Remember that King Agrippa was supposed to help Governor Festus write a creative letter to communicate to Caesar the dispute between Paul and the Jewish leaders and why it was so complicated that Paul was being sent to him to be heard. King Agrippa was not much help, though, because he too thought it was obvious that Paul had done nothing worthy of severe punishment and death.

• Prayer: God, thank You for using Paul’s life as an example of how we should live our lives for Jesus. Help us to live according to God’s word, the Bible. Remind us to share with others about our life with Christ. Amen