NT: Epistle of Paul to the Romans, Chapter 3

Epistle of Paul to the Romans 3:1-31

3:1-2 This first verse asks: what are the benefits of living according to God's philosophy. And the second answers: God becomes committed to you, to your achievement, to your happiness, to your protection and strength.

3:3 Your relationship with God is independent of others' opinion. The love and support, guidance and protection He offers to you is abundant, agile and resilient, unencumbered by agnosticism or atheism. So the benefit of having Him continues: He's committed to you and His ability is not diminished or dependent on humanity's belief in Him. 

3:4 "Men" meaning "humans" go back and forth and their minds change and they sometimes even deceive; but God is in a constant state of truth and stability. He is Who you can entrust your life with and nobody else. Nobody else is capable of ensuring guidance so absolute as His. Compared to Him, we're quite flimsy. It's not an insult to humanity it's just a truth: we are not as selflessly motivated as He is and therefore we make mistakes.

This verse references Psalm 51:4 which explains to us that only God understands and can examine our thoughts and actions without bias or partiality. He's sees us for exactly who we are. His analyzation of us is fair and complete. It's important for us to know this because 1) it's a massive relief to know that there is an entity who understands and empathizes with the emotions we experience and 2) it's a comfort to us to know that we do not have to worry about being misrepresented or unfairly judged.

3:5-6 It's unfair that so many blame God for the actions humans are responsible for: injustice, violence, chaos, unkindness. He has given us complete freedom and some people abuse their freedom. How can He be guilty for being generous with us? For letting us express ourselves how we wish to, without being controlled.

Always remember this before you blame God for something 1) humanity was given complete freedom, this has both good and bad consequences according to how people use their freedom and 2) God allows us to experience the repercussions of our own decisions; He wants us to be informed and in order to teach us, He allows us to experience the lessons our actions create.

God's judgement is largely misunderstood. We categorize ourselves by our actions. One road leads to Him and spiritual-prosperity and the other leads nowhere. He does not turn anybody away; people turn themselves away. These verses help us to understand that God continues to allow our freedom; if our actions are deconstructing our path to God, we can trust that He was fair and available to that person. He ensures that His children find His path and He wants us to understand that He perfectly recognizes and acknowledges His children.

3:7-8 This verse is a rhetorical argument: Do not play mind games, or live deceptively. Don't constantly excuse yourself (or others) for bad behavior, cruel actions, unkind thoughts. You are not supposed to judge but you are encouraged to be perceptive of and truthful to yourself and others. Identify things, ideas and people as they are; utilize your ability to see logic and sense. You can only create yourself, only grow in wisdom and strength if you are fair and accurate in perceiving yourself and the world. Examine the world and people, but don't judge them in the way of determining them inferior to you just because they're different.

Don't wait for God to correct everything: that is lazy. We are capable of so much and it's a privilege, it's fulfilling to contribute to justice and compassion in the world. Don't expect Him to cut you a bunch of slack, to excuse your laziness, because He knows what you are capable of and He holds you to a high standard. Don't be lethargic; don't be apathetic. Care and but your compassion in action. Be an instrument in the world, a vessel through which so much good can be inspired and established on our earth.

Don't get stuck in the attitude that you feel like you don't have to try because you're incapable or inadequate compared to Him. You are quite able to make an impact on the world. Don't just accept that there are "sinners" and "liars" and shrug your shoulders. Better yourself and your world through your actions, thoughts and temperament.

3:9 No culture of people or group of people (or any other categorization of people humans insist on creating) is better than the other. We are all deeply valued by God. Likewise, are all susceptible to making mistakes; none of us are perfect.

3:10-18 Several books of the Bible are referenced here: Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Isaiah. It is unfortunate that there have been and are, people who are culpable of these offenses. These verses represent disparate groups of people over the course of time who have lost or never developed their compassion, wisdom, or logic. God wants us to understand that greed, selfishness, deception and chaos are detrimental to our health: mental, emotional and physical.

Our relationship with our creator is so important because our spirit is of Him. He understands us and therefore knows intimately how to protect, guide and strengthen us. He knows how to give us, each individually, the comfort and love we need.

3:19-20 All of the wicked in the world will be stopped. No unkindness or injustice will escape through. At the same time, He is our purest peace and knowledge and encourages us not to look at any other person or ideology for comfort; He cares about you so much more. He is capable of so much more.

3:21-23 Paul is addressing the arrogant. God does not want us to be boastful of ourselves. As humans, we are flawed. He does not want us to focus on our flaw or to be tethered to the acknowledgement of it, but He wants us to remain humble. In our humility we fairly live and work and express.

3:24-26 Our ability to live and breathe and express has come from our creator. He never wants us to forget that we have been created and encouraged; the entirety of nature and the universe has been our home. Paul is reminding the recipients of His letter that the entirety of nature and the universe has been created and given to us by our creator. Paul's message came through Jesus; the apostles work came from and through Jesus and Paul wishes that everyone remember this compassion and wisdom's origin. To not become too inflated with themselves.

3:27-28 Paul explains that there is no point to arrogance or boasting; you cannot buy your way into heaven with a wicked heart. Your true nature is what identifies you as a member of God's family. You can't sneak in there based on how you pretend to be here. God knows you by your faith; develop your relationship with Him. It is through your faith that you live, spiritually, eternally, in compassion and wisdom.

3:29-30 This life and universe is not a "Game of Thrones" so to speak. There aren't multiple gods or authoritarians competing for power and control. We have one God, who is the father of all of humanity... He is the Father and creator of all life and space and time and wisdom. People come to know and understand Him through different faith and types of spirituality but He never changes. He is our constant, though learned of in different ways.

3:31 God identifies you by your faith and the nature of your character, and arrogance and scheming cannot and will not give you access to truly knowing Him. Though He knows us by our faith: He still has given us this great instruction on how to be compassionate, wise spirits and it's imperative that we follow and fulfill our purposes; this is the corroboration of our faith.

NT: Epistle of Paul to the Romans, Chapter 2

Epistle of Paul to the Romans 2:1-29

2:1 This is the reason why we must not condemn another with our judgement: we do not have the perception to understand each other well enough to glean the whole, unbiased facts. Determining that a person is inferior based on their short-comings condemns us to being determined based on ours.

Being free of judgement does not mean to be free of order; it does not mean anarchy. This judgement being spoken of references our everyday encounters with people from disparate places and ideologies. If we are labeling our acquaintances as only and nothing more than their weaknesses and mistakes, we label ourselves as the same through that unfair and unkind action. 

2:2 Conversely, when God analyzes character, He both knows and understands the reasoning and though process behind our actions, inaction, reactions, thoughts and words. His omniscience allows him to glean the whole, unbiased facts. Jeremiah 17:10, God is privy to the nature of our true hearts.

Oddly, I can best explain this using a Harry Potter reference. In the films, there is a waterfall called the "Thief's Downfall." When one passes through this waterfall, all of their disguises and deceptions, costumes, enchantments, concealment: everything that is not true to themselves is washed away. Humans do not have this cleansing device, on earth it's a fairy-tale, but God actually does. Whatever we are trying to get away with, He can tell. He sees straight through whatever outward appearance we pretend to have and instead sees right into the core of who we truly are.

So, sometimes, something/someone appears bad (to us, from our limited perspective) but God can accurately perceive that there is good-intention at its core. Other times, something/someone might appear to be good, but God can accurately perceive that at its core, it is not.

The upshot of this is: do not be prejudiced; do not discriminate.

2:3 This message is written directly to hypocrites and people with superiority complexes. Refer back to The Book of Matthew 7:5 and Luke 6:42: you cannot logically accuse someone of something you are also guilty of. For various reasons a person might label another inferior, but the very act of doing that, makes the accuser inferior. Inferior to compassion, and respect. Guilty of being cruel.

2:4 We never want to be jealous or envious of another's happiness. If they are truly, spiritually happy, they have worked really hard to have it. God has lead them through their mistakes and adversity but they traversed the path he laid out.

2:5-6 The way we treat others is the way we communicate to God how we wish to be treated. However much respect and compassion we give out is what rebounds back into ourselves. What we receive is dependent on what we give.

2:7 We must live this way: patiently continuing in doing good. Those are the bricks which lay our path toward spiritual life.

2:8-9 Conversely, aggressively continuing in wrong-doing earns us bleak repercussions. When a person is greedy, unjust and evil, the suffer the consequences of those actions: a life deprived of contentment, love, compassion, hope, and truth.

2:10  Live well, live, think and act with empathy; enable your own peace.

2:11 Both the good and the bad are analyzed by God in the same manner: what they have done in their life equates with who they are as a person, and what the quality of their soul is.

2:12 A person who has lived without order will consequently arrive at disorder as their destination. Having not lived without the laws of kindness, they have un-tethered themselves from the laws of kindness. And if a person has lived imposing harsh law through corrupt authority or arrogance, they too will have the law harshly imposed upon them. Sound foreboding? What all of this means is that the way you live your life exemplifies to God what you believe is fair and just. If you do not protect and promote life, He perceives that you do not want your own live protected or promoted. Therefore, such a person is extinguished, gone from the spiritual (eternal) life which exists beyond this one.

And really, even if you're a person who does not believe in life after earth, your priority should still be to be kind and a promoter and protector of others' well-being. Our mental and emotional peace here on earth is derived from our kindness. 

2:13 Do you WALK in faith or do you just talk of faith? Here is one of the most important verses of the bible: "For not the hearers of the law (God's philosophy) are just in the sight of God, but the DOERS of the law will be justified."

It does not matter how familiar your butt is with the church pew, if you stand up and walk out those church doors and do not live according to what you say you believe, the compassionate and purposeful philosophy of God, you are hypocrite and your faith is false and nonexistent. 

Work! Faith without works is dead: James 2:17. Work is done through our temperament, through our action, through our compassion, through out reaction, through our thoughts and words. Be a worker; be a DOER. 

2:14-15 The nature of our hearts is revelatory of whether of how aligned we are with this philosophy of God. Even a person who has never heard of the bible or of Jesus or of God is still aligned with them if their hearts are good, if they naturally express and work in compassion. God knows our thoughts and if they are good, we are excused of any repercussions and if they are bad, we accuse ourselves of our own unkindness.

2:16 God will analyze our true selves according to how well we align with this philosophy of life He gave to us.

2:17-20 This chapter directly targets hypocrisy. Paul is speaking specifically about people who pretend that they are supremely innocent and helpful, faithful and capable but are not because their actions and internal thoughts are unkind. He speaks about people who have a superiority complex (and we find these people in all arenas in life: church, home, work, school, etc.) and look down on other people or feel that they are better than others. There are ways to be a hypocrite that are both subtle and bold; we must ensure that in all moments, we live and work and interact with others with humility.

2:21-24 Paul gives us the upshot in these verses: Don't say one thing and do the opposite. Not only would you be wasting everyone's time, but you would also be ruining it. You are employing disorder and contradiction in your life and others' lives.

2:25 This circumcision is symbolic: when you remove from yourself unkindness, greed, and deception. Some people believe that actual circumcision determines a faithful person... incorrect. If you are not a kind person, all of your efforts identify you as unfaithful.

2:26-28 Paul clears it right up for us: No matter how religiously you follow the customs of tradition, culture or religion, if you haven't had unkindness removed from you, your efforts are fruitless. A kind person who has never picked up a religious text, never contemplated spiritually, never thought about God or a god can still be a faithful child of God without realizing: kindness tethers us to Him rather than religious customs.

2:29 What characterizes you is the quality of your spirit. God recognizes you based on your core. It's not wrong to have cultural or religious traditions and customs but neither do they identify who you really are. How you interact with others, your actions, your thoughts, your compassion and promotion of justice and truth is the only custom you must consistently follow.

NT: Epistle of Paul to the Romans, Chapter 1

The Epistle of Paul to the Romans 1:1-32

This epistle, or letter, was written by Paul to the Romans. It begins a series of letters written by Paul to various peoples during his travels doing spiritual work. Paul was devoted to spreading his spiritual knowledge, the philosophy of God, and he ensured that he reached all people: whether by foot or by letter. The Epistle to the Romans is followed by Corinthians, II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, I Timothy, II Timothy, Titus, and Hebrews and are each considered to be of Pauline authorship.

1:1 Paul's greeting is a faithful proclamation of his humble service to God. It is salient to examine that word used: bond-servant. We know that Paul humbly serves God because he does so without wages, without material profit. And yet, God's fellow-workers receive so much from Him: purpose, compassion, guidance, perseverance and wisdom. The preceding are the truth wealth, the divine wealth.

It is both unfortunately and commonly taught that a person can have faith without works. This is 1) wrong, refer to: James 2:17, and 2) contradictory to everything God tells us. It isn't that we must work to earn God's love, true enough He loves His children. However, a person cannot have faith and simultaneously not work. True faith is our admission, agreement and absorption of understanding that our God is purposeful in compassion and that we must be also. For example: you cannot believe in compassion and simultaneously not be compassionate. It simply does not compute. Therefore, true faith must be corroborated with effort. After all, it is through our faith that God can enter our lives. If our faith is untrue, meager or weak, we do not give Him enough space to enter.

Remember that our "works" are our thoughts, behavior, reactions, temperament, words and actions throughout our lives. We are "working" when we are being purposeful in compassion: when we are contributing to justice, truth, the well-being of others, friendship and love. In this way, Paul certainly was a grateful, blessed, and most importantly: productive, bond-servant of God.

1:2-3 An identification of Jesus, foretold of in the Old Testament through various of God's prophets.

1:4 Jesus' identification as the "Son of God" is a proclamation of Himself as a manifestation of the purity and qualities of our creator. We are all children of God, made of His spiritual DNA, and yet Jesus came to earth without flaw or temptation, with devout focus and selfless compassion as an illustration of the spiritual purity of Where and Who we came from. His illustration allowed us to accurately perceive ourselves as integral and intimately loved vessels through which goodness could come into the earth.

1:5 Through Him, the apostles (and all people) are able to receive grace and spiritual purpose. Meaning that, through the philosophy of God Jesus taught, we are able to receive grace and spiritual purpose. Any person who lives according to the philosophy of God, whether they realize or label their lives lived as such or not, is a recipient of grace and purpose. A person need not be a Christian to be good, kind, truthful and compassionate. Through having those qualities we receive grace and purpose. Jesus is a vessel through which a person can learn the philosophy of God, but there are other avenues. Some people find their spirituality through art, or nature, or another ideology. There are many ways to arrive at the same place (spiritually), but compassion must be the mode of transportation to get there.

Be careful to identify your mode of transportation, there is much deception and hypocrisy in the world.* Be careful also not to denounce people who seem to believe differently than you do; they are on their own journey; God's respects them and so should you.

*Read and discover for yourself. The ability to do so is a gift! Never let anyone tell you what to believe or what to feel. You are equip with perception and private, individual thought: utilize it!

1:6-7 Paul formally greets the recipients of this letter, welcomes them as children proffered the love and philosophy of God, and wishes them grace and peace. Paul's greeting is heartfelt, thoughtful and faithful: a further exemplification of how to have grace and peace without our own lives.

1:8 This truly is a family. We are thankful for each other's laughter and kindness; the components of our world which make it a joyful place to be. Goodness is inspiring; it is the light of the world and the more it is spread, the better cared for we all are.

1:9 Paul is so eloquently articulate in expressing himself; we are able to clearly feel and understand the depth and purity of his compassion. There is so much in this verse that is instructive to us! Let it be that the following are true: that we,

• ...allow God as the witness of our lives.

He knows us, deeply. He's fully informed and invested in every aspect and moment of our lives, since before our birth and continued after our life here on earth. Allow Him to be an active participant, knowing you, spiritually and intimately. When we allow His hands, His wisdom, His love to become entrenched in our lives, we thrive and are guided purposefully.

•  ...serve with our spirit the gospel generously and perfectly exemplified by Jesus.

Our devotion, our passion, our determination strengthen us, enable us to fulfill all that we are capable of. And we are capable of so much when we are spiritually aligned with purpose and compassionate productivity.

• ...without ceasing pray, always, for one another.

Our selflessness, our humility, our empathy are expressions of our spiritual DNA. When we accept humanity and nature as extensions of ourselves, as extensions of the same creator, the same family, we are better able to understand how it integral it is that we promote, inspire and contribute. Goodness, justice, freedom, love and compassion is beneficial to all, individually and collectively. Compassion abounds, rebounds and reverberates around the world. Every kindness is a brick in the foundation and the kingdom is infinite.

Our trust and faith in prayer is our connection with our creator. It is the tunnel through which He is able to reach us. The more trust, the more faith we have the more we are able to receive. When we are asking for others, they receive, and we receive as well. Our humility and empathy earn us so many blessings.

1:10 "A way in the will of God..." It is beneficial to us to always ask that God's Will supersede our own. God's Will is omniscient, nimbly responsive to the conditions, experiences, turbulence and joys of our lives. It cannot be hindered, halted or stumped. His will is wise and divinely arranges our greatest strength, wisdom and happiness.

Paul expresses that if it be God's will, he might someday visit with the Romans, the recipients of this letter. The reason Paul requires God's will in order to visit is because Paul trusts and understands that God will ensure that he, always, is guided and placed where he can do and receive the most good. It might have been good for Paul to be in Rome, but it might have been better for him to be else-place. Similarly, we are unable properly, fully orchestrate our greatest happiness, our greatest productivity because we are short-sighted. There are so many factors we cannot anticipate, therefore we are quite blessed to trust God to do that work on our behalf. He will wait for our permission to do so.

1:11-12 When we are encouraged together by faith, our ability and influence in the world becomes doubly effective, multifaceted and capable. Paul expresses a hope to someday work together, being encouraged by mutual faith, many spirits joined in effort toward the same message.

1:13 Paul had been busy preaching to the gentiles, (simply a name for people of the regions and nations he had been travelling through). Also, as we remember, he spent a lot of time in captivity. Even imprisoned, God had an itinerary for Paul to accomplish so much.

1:14 Without partiality or calculation, without discrimination, Paul feels inclined to and responsible for sharing the spiritual philosophy that has been given to him. He feels it is his duty, his life's work to offer to fill others with the wisdom he has been given.

1:15 "As much as is in me, I am ready to preach." This is a beautiful verse. When our spiritual faith becomes all-consuming, illuminating our lives from the inside of our souls and outward into our entire world, we crave expression. We desire to share and spread and sing of all that God's love and wisdom has done for us. We could burst, an explosion of light, from all of the strength, courage, perception, understand and love that has established and renewed our spirits. We wish to give everything we have received.

1:16-17 Paul is proud to speak and give his testimony of the truth of God's philosophy. He is confident in it, awed by it. The power of God is the fuel with which our spirits operate, expand, accomplish, create, inspire, breathe. It is our salvation from chaos, injustice, death and untruth. The people of Judea were the first to receive it but it was proffered to the rest of the nations of the world equally in their individual time. Similarly, we are each on our own individual journeys and the time in which we receive what is and has always been offered is unique to ourselves.

Your faith is wiser than you are without it, more resilient, better prepared, more agile, completely fair. Paul is proud and joyful to speak and stand for this philosophy, this trust in God.

1:18 We can take massive comfort in this verse that God is disgusted in unrighteousness. Meaning that He finds violence, hatred, injustice, evil and greed to be abhorrent and subsequently, He does not tolerate it.

1:19 God is equally horrified by people who manipulate others away from their best interests. Hypocrisy and deception are tools often used by the evil. Those who know better and yet still harm others are doubly guilty. Remember that our God is a loving God and so it is unsurprising that He becomes furious when someone or some ideology threatens our saftey and happiness. He's invested in our lives, He feels our pain as if it were His own.

1:20 The natural earth and universe around us are guides, examples of the manner in which God has created and expected life to thrive. Selflessly, resiliently, symbiotically. Even without the physical, tangible, readable copy of scripture to read for instruction, our surroundings teach us the same lessons of compassion. The earth naturally, selflessly supports our health and our life. It has been tailored to our specific needs despite that we have not paid it to. It does not deceive us; its patterns and conditions are scientifically accurate and constant. There is no deception, no unpredictability.

In many ways, God has shown Himself. The problem is, some people are not looking, not perceiving the wisdom and spirit around them, sustaining their lives (and disbelieving, contradicting hearts).

God has no secrets; nothing is kept from us by Him. Our very existence speaks of Him. He is present in our lives, He has given us life. We breathe the breath given by Him, our hearts beat according to the rhythm He enabled for us.

1:21 "Futile in their hearts... foolish hearts were darkened." Meaning that when we become selfish, we become unproductive, we shade and then smother the light we are capable of lighting the earth and humanity with. Selfishness, greed and violence are futile. There are no measurable gains. It is a foolish heart which darkens itself with futility because it is foolish to reject wisdom and light of living compassionately, humbly.

1:22 Arrogance is the bold confirmation of a person's foolishness. A wise person understands and is made humble by the realization that they are always a student, always dependent on receiving life from a creator. Our lives exist on the whim of an external being, we have no control until we acknowledge God as our life, as the true wisdom and intelligence.

1:23 It is disheartened to God that many of His children have drifted away and then forgotten Him. Instead giving glory and reverence to inanimate objects, material possessions and other meager things, ideologies and people which could never even exist without Him. It's important to Him that you recognize and acknowledge Him not because He's prideful but because only He has your best interest at heart. No other thing or person can care for you life He can; no other thing or person can give or sustain your life, which He so values. He wishes to never see any of us diminished or destroyed, corrupted or led astray by manipulative impostors.

1:24 It is reiterated throughout the bible that we are given complete freedom. God allows us to walk away from Him because He respects our freedom of choice. Uncleanness, lust, and dishonor are frequently chosen: lies are unclean, greed for money and things and people is lustful, and we dishonor ourselves when we devote ourselves to such things. There is no spiritual gain, no health, no promotion of life, no productivity, no compassion in the quest these things.

When God establishes us in His love, He ensures that we know how to take care of ourselves, internally and externally. Our minds become be focused and optimistic, our bodies strong and healthily fed and cared for, our homes and hearts clear from toxins, literally and metaphorically.

1:25-26 God allows us to make our own decisions, to utilize our freedom and He allows for the repercussions of our own decisions. He does not punish us; He is kind and loving. He allows that we choose to punish ourselves.

1:27-31 In so many ways, humans disrespect themselves and others. Of that fact, we are all aware. Ignorance, greediness, hatred, violence, injustice, deceitfulness, these are the components of death. We cannot exist spirituality made of these qualities, and even here on earth, they deplete our spirits, bodies.

1:32 Death is not a sentence God imposes on a person. Death is a sentence a person imposes on themselves when they divest themselves of the qualities which create light. Only kindness can exist in the spiritual life which follows this one. For example: a fish cannot swim on land without water. It is physically, scientifically, wholly impossible. A bird cannot flutter through the sea without air. Evil cannot exist in our spiritual life, the elements it is made of cannot sustain it.

This life is our chance to grow the necessary parts and components we will need to survive the elements of the life beyond this one. Darkness is extinguished by the brilliant light, poof! Gone are the unkindness which attempt to enter. What is darkness in the Light?

NT: The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 28

The Acts of the Apostles 28:1-31

We arrive now at the finish of the book of The Acts of the Apostles. In the best way, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the expression of love and wisdom it has professed. These chapters have instilled within us: faith, courage, perseverance and trust in God's leadership and protection over our lives. It has reaffirmed the promises we read of in the Gospel chapters: We are deeply loved, intricately guided, boldly protected. We are souls who, when we chose to be, are tethered to the spiritual foundation of God and His compassionate philosophy. We are not victims we are soldiers, a divinely arranged army defending and promoting life rather than taking it.

We have examined the life, character and faith of Paul, who is representative of many of us. We do not always or often begin our journey through life with focused, good-intention but we are not bound by our mistakes. Even for the most unlikely, there is opportunity to be good, to be purposeful, even instrumental in the course of humanity. We were taught the road to our transition from chaos to order: patience, listening, working, persisting.

God's impartial love was emphasized. Opening His heart and His wisdom to the entire world, to each culture, region and peoples. For although humanity divides itself, God recognizes and embraces His entire, one-family. The sheer, precise order and intention of God was brought to us, comforting us with the knowledge that none of this is random, or aimless, or unseen by Him. He is directly involved and invested in our individual and collective well-being... and finally, we learned that when we become involved and invested with Him, His blessings are enabled to be delivered. We are the vessels through which light and healing come. He is our source but we are not meaningless; our participation is highly valued and effective. Light, love and life exists and ultimately triumphs because of Him and yet, it is all the more vibrant, lovely, and sweet when we elect to become the instruments through which those things are upheld, especially now on earth, in places and people who so require it.

28:1-2 The crew, prisoners and other members of the ship arrive in Malta, where they are treated kindly.

28:3 This and these next verses are highly metaphorical: here was Paul, contributing to the light and warm (of the fire) but also of life. Despite his innocent, selfless and faithful attempts of compassion and work ethic, he is bitten, challenged by evil and injustice. The creature fastened to his hand; similarly with the intention of halting the work that he is doing, symbolized by his hand, injustice fastened its teeth on him.

28:4 Ignorance's first glance, assumes and accuses Paul of being wrong. Paul's testimonies through the regions were often met with similar assumptions and accusations. Without being informed of the entire situation, the wrong conclusions were jumped to. Paul was not in the wrong, rather, those around him were wrong.

28:5-6 For Paul easily rids himself, harm-free of the creature (representative of adversity). God's children are not hindered or halted by injustice or adversity. God's children shake the injustice and continue on, unharmed, untainted by the attempts of adversaries.

In observing the ease with which Paul escapes harm (in ridding himself of the poisonous snake, but also in ridding himself of the chains and evil plots planned against him) Paul's life becomes a testimony for his goodness but more importantly, for the ability and goodness of his, our God.

Paul's persistence, the life and faith and passion within him endured consistently and allowed people the opportunity to see the truth and strength within and being exuded by him. They expected him to fail, to become a victim of hatred, injustice, poison, but he never did. Paul was so blessed that people even began to think that he was a god. That is how much God blesses his children. Of course, Paul was quick to correct their thoughts.

28:7-8 God, through faithful and devoted Paul, is able to heal this man's ailing father.

28:9-10 Paul has reciprocated their kindness but has also worked selflessly to ensure that he did all that he could to promote their well-being. Ironically, Paul is still a prisoner and is about the ship off yet again.

28:11-15 After many months of travel, the ship finally arrives at its destination: Rome. Some disciples and apostles meet with Paul and he is thankful and encouraged by the reassurance of their love and support. We also hope to have and be this type of friend... you do, you always have Him, your friend, your creator, your God who loves  and supports you so.

28:16 It has been made quite clear by now that Paul is not a danger. Still, it's been God's planning that has allowed for his just treatment. Got places the right people and opportunities on our path when we give our trust to Him and allow Him to plan and orchestrate the events of our life.

28:17-20 Paul's ultimate proclamation of his innocence and good-intention. He explains that he has been wrongly held in chains and that he has arrived in front of this counsel in Rome to once and for all be judged.

28:21-22 The counsel explains that they have no received a single message that Paul has acted violently or behaved inappropriately. Yet before they dismiss him as innocent, they request his testimony because this particular group of people (who have captured him and plotted and demanded his death) despises him.

28:23 Paul "explained and solemnly testified" God's philosophy and his devotion to it. Paul was not impatient, or exacerbated, even though it would have been justified considering the length of his unjust imprisonment. Paul is aware and focused on God's plan; he understands that each testimony he has delivered, even in chains, has been deliberately orchestrated by God who has planned for all people to hear His word. It's imperative that Paul deliver this message, explain himself with patience and intelligence, otherwise he would taint the message. Paul gladly delivers the message and does so without impatience or anxiety. God has filled him, through Paul's faith, with courage, composure and wisdom.

28:24 As is normal, some listened and absorbed, some did not. Here on earth we are given that opportunity: the freedom to make our own decisions.

28:25 In a faithful attempt to dispel the chaos and disagreement between the two groups, Paul refers to scripture: Isaiah 6:9-10.

28:26 God has acknowledged and anticipated that some people would be presented with His philosophy but would not actually hear it. Meaning, they would not devote themselves to understanding it and absorbing it. Such circumstances still occur today.

28:27 Most unfortunately, people cannot awaken to truth and light until the acknowledge it. God can do so much for us when we allow Him to, when we trust Him. Until we devote ourselves, become passionate in being compassionate, we are unable to turn from chaos and injustice, turbulence and dejection. He the balm for all of our ailments, but He cannot heal us until we trust and allow Him. Why? Because He gives us the freedom to reject Him, and He will not overstep our decisions. He is respectful of our freedom.

28:28-29 The dispute continued, but many listened. Truly listened. Sometimes you do your best for a person and what you have done doesn't "click" for them immediately but does sometimes at a different point the journey of the lives.

28:30-31 With his freedom, Paul continues to devote his life to promoting, inspiring and healing others through God's love, compassion and ability. With his freedom, Paul did not "punch-out" of work; he continued on, passionately. With confidence, provided by God's support, Paul was able to be one of the most instrumental people in the world. No one could forbid him to be himself, to work faithfully, because God cleared and protected his spiritual path on earth. 

NT: The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 27

The Acts of the Apostles 27:1-44

27:1-2 Deciding to begin the journey, they boarded a ship and put a man named Julius in charge of Paul and the other prisoners.

27:3 Paul's companions (like Luke who wrote this book) were made allowed to care for Paul during the journey. Julius trusted Paul; at this point, several are aware of Paul's innocence but more than that, God is ensuring that Paul is cared for.

27:4-8 It was a rough sea-journey. Metaphorically speaking, the sea is rough living away from or in opposition to God. The difference between human's planned journey and God's is entirely different: where our lone attempts are often chaotic and turbulent, God's is elaborate in anticipating and correcting issue before it is even met.

27:9-10 They were travelling in the winter and the journey became increasingly difficult; Paul perceived that imminent danger awaited them. God has worked with Paul to make him wise and observant.

27:11-12 Paul's advisory is ignored and the captain, owner and operators of the ship decide to continue on into the stormy sea. The instruction in this verse is that we need to heed our surroundings, and we must be patient enough to hear them speaking to us.

27:13-19 The conditions grow worse and worse. The health of the ship is declining, they're jettisoning supplies and none of their efforts are producing any productive results. It's so important that we do not miss the wisdom presented to us in the verse through metaphor. When our minds, souls, and bodies are not healthy, are declining because of our fruitless, selfish, unproductive efforts, we accomplish and produce nothing. When we are impatient, ignorant, unobservant, there are disastrous results.

The ship, and all of the people aboard are floating aimlessly on the whim of the ocean. You do not want to float aimlessly on the whim of anything. This world is large, there are many nations, ideologies, cultures, beliefs... there are so many waves which can sweep you up and determine your path for you. You do not want this world to be a turbulent ocean, tossing you around without intention, ill-intention or care. God can provide a sturdy foundation and a charted, protected course. He will enable you to be present and also a participant in your own journey. Let Him be your ship.

27:20 The people aboard the ship lost all hope. Keeping with the metaphor, how horrible a way to live that would be: to have no hope, to let chaos deplete you. They gave their whim to chaos when they ignored and then neglected the wise counsel of God, through Paul. Wise counsel is around you if you are being perceptive, observant, patient and if you grasp onto it, hope forever uplifts your outlook on life.

27:21 Paul had been praying for their well-being. Paul had asked God for assistance, even though His help had been rejected at onset by them. And as He always does when He hears His children fervently ask for and trust in His help, He gives it.

27:22 Paul gives them hope and encouragement, there was a way to survive the strife. There is a way to survive this strife, and The Way is through God. We must let the useless things we allowed to become our vessel which carries us through the world break up. We must reestablish our home, our vessel as our indestructible God. What do I mean? Well, when we rely on things and people other than God, we rely on destructible things. Let those things go, they do not work compassionately for your well-being.

27:23 Paul's prayers for their well-being were heard and answered.

27:24 God always supplies protection and encouragement, but you must be aware of his offering and you must recognize His hand. A lot of people will offer you their assistance, their hand, you'll want to ensure you grasp the right one: God's. You must recognize Him to do so.

When God has a child who has elected to work with Him purposefully, when they have passionately dedicated their lives to being compassionately-purposeful in His name, God is going to ensure that that child is able to fulfill their purpose, their potential. God does not waste such a selfless gift as that: a child who gives their effort, their compassion to others. He's going to utilize that brilliant soul because He recognizes how abundantly and efficiently that person can deliver His blessings to humanity. He is overjoyed to work with that soul. There is so much work to be done and finding a faithful, compassionate child is a blessing given to Him, that He may accomplish with them so much.

God is going to answer their prayers because He knows that their prayers are made with the wholehearted intention of arranging and delivering blessings to others.

Paul's prayers have saved this crew. God waits for us to believe in Him, to trust in His help and then, and only then, He is able to deliver what we have asked for. He delivers in many ways, given us the perception and strength to save ourselves, the knowledge and the opportunity to ensure our survival and success. 

27:25 Believe that it, life, will be just as it was told by God. Believe that He is, and that He is with you, always. He's going to orchestrate your purest, most magnificent happiness if you trust and believe and work with Him to accomplish it.

27:26-29 Their safety, (which could have been secured before the journey had they listened) was then contingent upon running aground into an island. God will secure their saftey, they need not worry. You need not worry, your saftey is arranged and secured too.

27:30 Some of the crew were anxious and planning to jump from the ship meaning, they had no faith. It is so frequent that I hear and observe people question and even lose their faith at signs of turbulence. You cannot be protected and guided if you jump off of the path. If you do not actually trust God, He's going to respect that and He's going to let you navigate on your own. Trust me, you do not want to navigate turbulence on your own! God is not responsible for turbulence in the world, humans create that. Do not blame Him or lose faith in Him when a person is responsible for the pain or anger that you are experiencing. He will guide you out of it and you'll come out wiser and stronger.

27:31 You must stay on the ship, God's ship. When you stray from truth, from wisdom, from love and compassion, you will not find safety.

27:32 This time, they listen to Paul, who has listened to God.

27:33-34 Paul encourages them to build their strength. Metaphorically, to begin to receive their nourishment from God. Their spiritual nourishment: courage and solemnity, wisdom and truth. God builds us up to be strong and healthy in spirit and when we are strong and healthy in spirit, we are agile, ready, prepared and equipped to handle anything, all things (adversity in any form, even perhaps ironically, physical ailment).

27:35-36 Paul consistently, lovingly, derives his wisdom and strength from God. Our true nourishment, our true bread. Paul is always thankful to and focused on God. As His children, receiving so many blessings from Him, we cannot help but be grateful to Him for how abundantly, selflessly He gives.

27:37-38 Another reminder that God can fill and feed and protect and ensure the safety and health of all of His children. He and everything He has to offer is boundless. Even in completely filling all people, there is more, there is leftover. Consider what that means: He can give to you, individually, more than it seems can even fit into your life, heart, soul and body.

27:39-41 As predicted, the ship is ruined. Man's ship is ruined. God's children are safe.

27:42-44 Paul's safety is again orchestrated by God and instead of being killed before even leaving the ship, his life is secured. As promised, none on the ship lost their lives.

NT: The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 26

The Acts of the Apostles 26:1-32

26:1 It is Paul's opportunity to speak. Although these officials believe that it is on their generosity and arrangement that Paul is given the chance to speak, it has actually been arranged by God. When we ask Him for the opportunity to bring a change to a broken situation or a light to a darkness, God enables that we are given the chance. It requires our faith, passion, compassion and courage.

26:2 Paul is not intimidated or scared, he is glad for this chance to speak. Paul is able to calmly and collectively recount the events of his life because God has stabilized him, given him support and clarity. Paul, through his faith, has become perceptive, able to analyze his life and his journey both as a spiritual child of God and as a human.

26:3 Paul requests that his message is received fairly and attentively. Paul is speaking to a man who regularly judges matters concerning the Jews, (a group of which are) Paul's accusers and therefore Paul is hopeful that this man, understanding the context, will be able to properly judge him.

26:4-5 Paul's account is complete, leaving nothing out. Paul explains that he was born in Jerusalem and is therefore not an outsider, ignorant or neglecting of the culture and religion of the region. Moreover, he was a strict Pharisee; since birth, he had been very directly against the disciples, apostles and Jesus. Paul was widely known for his opposition against them, which many, if not all, of his accusers and attest to.

26:6 Paul summarizes the absurdity of the accusations against him: all he has done is put his faith and hope in God, hurting no one.

26:7 Paul is accused as evil for simply hoping to attain the promises made by God in their very scripture.

26:8 As we can recall from this book, Paul fervently worked against Jesus. Paul asks that his accusers listen to the reasoning behind his transition. After all, if not for truth, what reason would he have to change the complete way and thought of his entire life since birth?

We each have a testimony to give to the world. The way we give our testimony is the way we live our lives despite tribulation, opposition or weakness. There are so many particular features that make up who are are and our lives that become a message to the world.

28:9-11 Although it is painful now for Paul to admit and talk about how he behaved against his now-family, he leaves nothing out of his story. Our journey is our testimony and our testimony must be complete to have an effect. Paul was successful and calculated in hindering and killing the very people he now works alongside. Paul was not apathetic or lethargic against them, he was boldly, violently against him. With this opportunity, Paul is working to inform them of how he switched ends of the spectrum.

28:12-13 Paul beings the story of his conversion, which we well remember. Paul was confronted by God. Less theatrically, we also are confronted. Yet we must be listening and willing to employ our attention and effort to listening in order to realize.

28:14-15 Paul remembers the time when God injected logic into his life. What is the point? What is your intention? You must always be able to answer these questions in your own life. What is your intention while you are here on earth? Have a purpose and a plan for your life, for your soul, for your impact on the world and the people around you. God was able to make Paul realize that he lived aimlessly, violently, accomplishing and contributing to nothing of substance.

28:16 Rise and stand on your feet, meaning: become purposeful, being intentional, be meaningful.

28:17-18 God's intention with Paul was to free people from the qualities "Satan" possesses: lethargy, greed, chaos, apathy, evil, lethargy, meaninglessness, manipulation. God wants His children awake to their capabilities, to the life inside of them. God's intentions have never changed. Even now He is overjoyed to receive soldiers of compassion, those of us willing to devote ourselves to the greater purposes we are capable of fulfilling. He enables us to forgive ourselves, to receive forgiveness for being inactive in a world with requires us to be alert and hard-working. Even when we are not actively contributing to detriment, lethargy allows so much injustice. 

26:19 Paul was not disobedient: when truth enters your life, you must be perceptive and receptive enough to retain it. When we become aware of our purpose on this earth, we become quite responsible for fulfilling it. Once you realize you have important work to do, you cannot neglect it and remain guiltless. If you know better, be better.

26:20-21 It has been for this reason: Paul's awakening to his purpose, that he has been accused and captured. Imprisoned for impartially spreading God's compassion and wisdom to every breathing soul.

26:22-23 I love that Paul always references and stands firmly in his faith: "having obtained help from God." Although Paul is not speaking directly to us, he subtly does speak to us: when you seek God's help, you receive it and accomplish many things.

Meanwhile, Paul reminds his accusers and proclaims to his accusers that he has never said a single word contradictory to their own religious text. Paul's intention and work was never to reject or change the Old Testament, but to add to it, to enhance it and to give us more opportunity to be free, wise, and purposeful. Paul's mission in life has been to teach (now, many millions) of people how much their creator loves them. Jesus is foretold of in the Old Testament: Isaiah 7:14, Psalms 22, therefore these believers in the Old Testament must not have actually read the book they claim to believe in.

26:24-25 Paul finishes his testimony and Festus' reaction is violent, aggressive and very much not collected. God's children are never so disorderly and chaotic; He enables us to gather our thoughts with wisdom and express them with patience...

26:26 ... Which is exactly what Paul does in the continued defense against himself and all that God has taught him: truth and reason.

26:27-28 Paul's perception enables him to see that the king as heard his truth and has absorbed it.

26:29 Paul's hope is that he is heard by many and therefore that God's philosophy might be absorbed by them as deeply as it has been by him. Paul's hope is that they become like him exactly in faith, though not in chains for it.

26:30-32 The judgement is that Paul is innocent. Yet Paul has elected to speak to King Caesar and therefore will be judged again rather than let go. Paul does not mind, he understands that his is free, and is actually working intently with God to preach to as many as he can: both to high officials and to the citizens.

NT: The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 25

The Acts of the Apostles 25:1-27

25:1-3 Paul's adversaries continue to falsely testify against him. It's imperative that compassion and justice are as tirelessly persistent as evil and injustice for this reason.

25:4-6 It is not time for Paul to die and therefore his adversaries arrangements to have him killed on the road do not come into fruition. Instead, it is arranged that Paul will be brought to Caesarea. 

25:7 Nothing new occurs, their greed and evil nature continue to proclaim lies against Paul despite his innocence. 

25:8 Paul, meanwhile, continues to proclaim his truth, the truth and thereby, his innocence.

25:9-10 Paul is more than willing to proclaim his truth in any place and on any stage; he is even willing to proclaim his truth to the leader, the king at the time. Paul is not afraid or intimidated, he is confident in his truth and more importantly, of the truth of our creator.

25:11-12 It is arranged that Paul will be brought to Caesarea after he informs his accusers that if he were guilty, he would readily accept punishment, even death.

25:13-16 Festus explains Paul's situation and accusations to the king, the events which led up to his accusation, capture and imprisonment. 

25:17-21 Festus explains that the case against Paul was unique, in that it pertained to religion, a subject not commonly decided in the justice system. Therefore, Festus almost arranged for Paul to be judged in Jerusalem, where the case was more relevant. Instead, Paul was brought directly to the king instead.

We can understand from these events that God arranged for Paul to speak his truth in as many places as possible, reaching the ears of every tier of society.

25:22-27 Festus seeks the judgement of a higher official than himself, the king, in order to properly judge Paul. It's quite a ridiculous scramble on humanity's part: Paul is clearly innocent, but they will not free him. 

NT: The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 24

The Acts of the Apostles 24:1-27

24:1 With dogged persistence, Paul's adversaries seek and follow him to ensure his demise. Paul endured. The apostles were not without enemy, as by now, you well know; rather than being without adversity, they endured an abundance of it. Opposition did not thrive in their physical periphery's, it confronted them face to face consistently. Yet opposition did exist in the the periphery of their spirits, meaning that they were uninfluenced by it. Their strength of faith enabled them to persevere through and in the midst of turbulence.  

This is instructive to us because we must learn that our strength is in action. Allow ourselves to be hindered or even halted by adversity is a debilitating weakness we impose on ourselves. God has shown and told us that if we are willing to walk, He will always provide the path; a path not without barrier but constructed with avenues with which to overcome barrier. Our walk is symbolic of our life's journey and experience and we have to be active participants in it, constantly creating ourselves to be better, stronger, more faithful, more compassionate, more perceptive, more wise. We cannot make progress if we wallow as self-decided victims. Paul is unconcerned that many with authority are plotting against him because he knows that their "authority" is child's-play compared to God's authority over all things, people, ideas and universes. 

24:2-4 They "butter-up" this high priest. They boast of his "greatness" hoping and calculating that their flattery will earn them the outcome they are salivating for: Paul's demise. Manipulation is all around us, people telling us or pretending to us that they are more than they actually are. It is our job to become observant and perceptive thereby impenetrable. Be humble, your pride might secure you to people and circumstances that are toxic beneath their veneer. 

24:5 They twist Paul's actions in order to shift people's perception of Paul's work. This is why we must always employ common-sense, common-logic, our own logic to any situation. It is clear to observe that these men hate Paul but their hatred is not equal to the crimes he is committed of. Moreover, disagreement is inevitable but not deserving of death. Therefore, we must be able to discern ulterior motives. Think: Why would a person work so hard to make me believe something rather than allow me the time and opportunity to create my own beliefs? They have an ulterior motive.

25:6-9 And always, there comes a point when we are responsible for our own reactions, our own beliefs, and determinations. These men have laid out their accusations against Paul's character and actions and have thereby coated the perspective of his judges. By the judge in this matter must be able to (and you must be able to) disentangle ulterior motives from truth. You must be able to examine people's actions and character without the added context of other people. 

24:10 This is Paul's opportunity to speak for himself. You must be able to articulate yourself well enough to proclaim your truth. In order to be articulate, you must be organized and purposeful. When you are organized and purposeful, your thoughts and your actions are ordered and familiar to you. You know precisely why you do or believe things and therefore you can defend and promote them with clarity and confidence, with peace of mind.

24:11-12 Paul calls his accusers out on their bulls... lies. That is why we must always examine all sides of people, arguments, and ideas. Even if one side seems blatantly wrong, we must hear it to know for sure, to determine for ourselves, informed and fair. 

24:13 Paul reminds those about to judge him that his supposed crimes cannot be proven, and therefore he casts a shadow of doubt that they were ever true at all.

24:14 Moreover, Paul explains that rather than denying their beliefs, he derives his faith from the same scripture. Yet Paul's construction of the meaning within those beliefs is clear, focused and divinely guided by God. Jesus' ministry and the apostles work had enhanced rather than rejected the Old Testament. Those who are against the apostles work are quite simply, hypocritical against the scripture they claim to believe in. The message had not changed, violence and deception were never acceptable, yet they commit both.

24:15 Paul expresses his faith in God that each individual soul will ultimately and intimately be confronted, through God's masterful hand, with their thoughts and actions on the earth. Any punishment we will face will be delivered both by and to ourselves. The unjust will be ashamed and the just joyful.

24:16 Therefore, Paul explains, he lives and works with good conscious: with compassion, purposefulness, truth and justice. Paul knows that he is responsible for himself and reminds each of the crowd that they also are responsible for themselves. This life is not a game; our actions directly affect the world and humanity. Paul's words encourage us to be meaningful as well as logical and compassionate. The end of our lives on earth are a culmination; we enter this planet un-molded but we leave very much defined. We are responsible for our definition. 

24:17-18 Paul explains that he traveled and arrived places with goodness, rather than tumult or negative intention.

24:19-20 Again injecting logic into the situation, Paul inquires why his accusers did not immediately seek officials when he was supposedly doing all of the wrong they claim he was doing. Why did they wait? If Paul came in violently and aggressively, why was there no word of it? No commotion? There is no evidence to corroborate their argument, not surprising to us: we know they are lying. Nevertheless, we don't know now whether someone is speaking the truth or lies until we examine it for ourselves, use of perception in listening to each side.

24:21 Paul explains the the only reason he can think of that might have angered them in this time-frame of his being captured is that he spoke of resurrection. If that is the accusation against him, surely it does not warrant all of this commotion.

24:22-26 Felix has his own ulterior motives. Felix has determined that likely Paul is not actually guilty of his crimes but before releasing him for nothing, Felix tries to manipulate Paul into paying for his freedom. This is ironic because money dirt to God, less than dirt and He does not deal with, through or because of it. God grants freedom without price. We are each freely given freedom. Recognize these schemers in the world and remember that your most pure, humble, and just friend is your creator, who grants all and many gifts to you without price or ulterior motive.

24:27 Felix is replaced, never having gotten any money from Paul. Paul did not need to pay for freedom, he was already free (yet he was one of the only ones to realize this). God does not negotiate with terrorists. As we have read multiple times in this book, God releases the apostles from the chains men impose on them when there is another place they are meant and needing to be. Although we are not privy to it yet, there was reason for every moment in Paul's life, including this time of imprisonment. There is reason in every moment of our lives when we give God control and when we devote ourselves to purposefulness and compassion.

The freedom God gives us supersedes anything that any person could give us, no matter how much authority they have. Paul did not need to pay for something he already had. Paul was at God's mercy, always, and our God is so merciful; protecting and filling our minds with resilience and wisdom no matter what exists around us. Paul's imprisonment makes the statement that God is freedom and is truly free. Paul makes it clear where we should place our trust and simultaneously teaches us that dealings with money is greedy and calculated, chaotic and unjust. He shows us what freedom truly means; never have to purchase it.

NT: The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 23

The Acts of the Apostles 23:1-35

23:1 Paul confesses the truth of his life: his devotion and love, his faith in God. No matter what evil or circumstance Paul faced, he gripped onto his truth, this truth that God was the passion and creator of his life. Paul knew that with that truth as the foundation of his life and the core of his heart and soul, nothing these adversaries could do against him that could take him from underneath God's protective wing. Children of God remain and return to God no matter where their enemies try to send them.

23:2 This "high priest"* is arrogant, closed-minded and violent. This man refuses to acknowledge Paul's truth and innocence. Remember that the adversaries of the apostles are against them because they fear losing their corrupt power. Paul was gathering (healing, leading, teaching!) the people these evil ones had been oppressing and they wanted their authority back.

*Be careful not to automatically revere people in religious positions and institutions. No person is superior over another. They are not better than you because they stand in positions of religious authority or impressive, expensive churches. Remember, God values humility and modesty and you should search for those qualities in all people you encounter. Just because a person attends or works in a church does not make them "good." Their actions as a human being determine who they are and no matter where a person works, they can still be hypocritical, arrogant and/or deceptive. In this case, Paul is being beaten by someone who pretends to be a person of God. Do not revere anyone but God, and do not trust in anyone as fully as you can trust God.

23:3 Paul accuses and subsequently identifies the truth of this man, so-called "high priest"; he's a fraud and not a person of God at all. This man has no substance, his position and his character is built on greed and lies.

23:4 This verse compliments verse two which we previously covered. People were shocked that Paul would speak against this church official. They should not have been shocked! The only divine-being deserving of our respect is our creator, who is compassionate, truthful and wise. No human has the authority to lord over another and every human should be chastised when they attempt to lord over others. Paul, as an apostles and faithful child of God, is a blessed, privileged vessel through which God's wisdom could come into the world and that is just what Paul is doing: he is cutting this corrupt man down to size, revealing to everyone that he is merely a flawed man, without any authority or superiority over anyone else. Paul is continuing to teach people: do not let another person control you or tell you what is right from wrong. God gave us freedom and no human has the authority to take it away. 

You have the freedom to observe and to identify and perceive truth from lie and right from wrong. Use your gift, your ability to never let anyone else define the world for you. 

23:5 Paul could get himself into trouble by going against the high priest. These people read the scripture of the Old Testament at face value, without delving deeper in the metaphors and logic within it. You should not speak badly of a good leader; but you should always identify a bad one.

23:6-7 Identified as the son of a Pharisee, Paul receives a backing from half the crowd.

23:8 Paul came and taught of Jesus' resurrection and of life after death on earth; the Sadducees did not believe in either. So, the Pharisees were a bit more keen to listen to Paul.

23:9-10 Paul receives some support and he's taken from the violent crowd.

23:11 The spirit of God remains with Paul, as it will remain with you when you put your faith in it, true, unwavering faith. You must develop your faith so that it does not sway. Thanking God on the good days does not absolve you of blaming Him on the bad ones. Likewise, consulting God on the bad days does not absolve you of forgetting Him on the good days. Paul stood and worked firmly in faith and he therefore received firm love and support. God awaits your permission and He only enters your life in the measure you trust Him to. If you only trust Him a little, He won't overstep the limits you imposed on Him. If you trust Him a lot, you give Him a lot of space and opportunity and joy to do a lot.

Think of it this way: if you only allow a pinprick of light into your life (limited faith), due to the tiny hole, it cannot create much light in your life. If you burst down the walls, God can soak you in His light.

If your faith is the size of a pinprick, how can the light enter?

Faith is effort. Trust is not a decision but an action. God is perceptive, He is perception, He knows when your faith is real and when your trust is true. Life your life dutifully to show and develop your faith and your trust. By trusting Him, you are agreeing that His way is the best way. Meaning you agree that compassion is the core of everything. Meaning you accept your purpose on this earth to become purposeful, rather than self-absorbed. You must live your life in accordance with His will in order to show Him that you give your faith and trust to His will. Be kind, be perceptive, be honest, be fair in every moment of your life and your devotion will show Him that your spirit is aligned with His. By doing these things, you burst down those walls that are ignorance, chaos, selfishness and greed. His spirit cannot co-exist with those things, it is too compassionate, too pure. Remove those things from your life, create space for Him to enter.

God encourages Paul: be happy. You are fulfilling your purpose and you have nothing to fear, evil cannot take away your spiritual life, it cannot take away God's love for you.

23:12 This is the lunacy of evil. They vow not to eat or drink until they kill an innocent man. Even if they disagree with Paul, they do not need to devote their lives to killing him. This is why God so values His faithful children, they accept their purpose as advocates for justice and compassion against these absolute lunatics of evil and greed.

God lets us become whoever and whatever we want to become; unfortunately, some people use this opportunity on earth to become... horrible.

23:13-14 No matter how many people bind together against you, they do not beat the majority that is you and God. Even if they kill you, they simply enable you to escape them forever, in the spiritual home of God. Let God make you strong and clever, invulnerable to their deception and evil conspiracies. No matter how committed they are, they will inevitably fail against God.

23:15-16 God always enables us to be informed. There is no limit to what He can give us. When we become spiritual-perceptive and faithful, we are always kept aware and prepared. No secrets or deceptive plans work against us.

23:17-18 Paul is provided the opportunity (by God, of course) to retain the upper-hand.  He is not a sitting-duck. As faithful children of God, we are prepared and armored and informed, always.

23:19-22 The young man, sent by Paul (who was informed by his sister, who was informed by God through her faith and trust in Him) informs the commander of the secret, violent plot against Paul. 

It can be easy to be consumed by sadness, dejection or fear because there is still plotted tragedy in the world. Remember that the more people who awake to their spiritual purpose, the more chance we have of diminishing evil. The more we realize that this earth is freedom, a chance to create ourselves, the more likely we are to create goodness within ourselves. Remember also that this earth is temporary; this trial and opportunity ends and evil has already been declared the loser. Those who "lose" their earthly lives due to injustice on the earth, instantly come alive in compassion and truth in spirit. The difficult part of their lives is over, forever. Use this life to be purposeful for the people who are oppressed by injustice and you will re-establish and rejuvenate yourself in the process.

There are difficulties within our own lives and sometimes we must be both the victim and the hero. Luckily, our hero is actually God and He enables us to save ourselves. There are cruddy people in the world; people who are greedy, arrogant, horrible... the list goes on and on, but allow God's wisdom to strengthen you against their tactics. Identify their true character before it can ever harm you. There are bumps in the road but with God, you see them coming and you can avoid most of them. Sometimes you can't miss a bump, but allow it to be a lesson, an instruction on how to avoid that particular bump in the future. Become wiser than the bumps! Allow Him to flood light into you when something or someone creates darkness. He's incredibly creative; allow Him into your life and He will reach you.

23:23-30 The commander arranges for Paul, acknowledging him as an innocent man, to be rescue from the impending, plotted danger.

23:31-35 Paul is transported to relative saftey and will again be given the opportunity to preach. Purposeful every day of his life! Led and supported by God through all of it.

NT: The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 22

The Acts of the Apostles 22:1-30

22:1-2 Paul begins speaking his defense in Hebrew because it is the language his audience uses to read their scripture, Moses' law, the Torah, the beginning of the Old Testament. It grips their attention; Paul is speaking in their language, the language they use to teach and it catches them off guard. They wrongly accused Paul of being against them and yet here he is, able to speak to them in their own language, the language of their spiritual text.

22:3 Paul was raised in the land of Judea (as was this crowd); he identifies with them. Paul recounts the beginning of his life when he indeed did zealously fight against God and the apostles. Paul was like one of the members of this crowd but he went through a spiritual journey and realized God's true philosophy. We can imagine how this would be a passionate, truly instructive testimony.

22:4-5 Remember our studies in the early chapters of this book: Paul efficiently and passionately worked against the apostles and God, The Acts of the Apostles 9. He was so productively persecuting them that his name became known across regions.

22:6 Paul begins the testimony of the rebirth of his spirit, when God offered to him another way. Always apply these testimonies to your own life experiences: God will realign you, reestablish you, guide you, fill you with purpose and passion and support you with love and compassion when you accept His hand in your life.

22:7-8 Essentially, God confronted Paul and challenged him to analyze his life: What are you doing? Why are you doing it? Do you want to be more? Do you want to do more? When you analyze yourself and your own life, you give yourself the opportunity to accept God's help in altering it, tailoring it until we life with purpose and joy.

22:9 Paul retells every detail of his experience. God's children are taught and encouraged to be thorough and truthful in everything that they do, toward everyone and everything that they face. God can see the potential of all of us, he awaits our awakening, the moment when we are ready and willing and enthusiastic to start living to our potential. In drastic ways, He reaches out to us to try to wait us up. Are you listening? Paul listened and hard work with God changed his life. Paul's life changed and with God, he changed the world.

Do not think you are any different: A much compassion as we desire to give to the world, God allows us, enables us to give. He has given us life and, He has breathed into us spiritual-potential. There are no limits for us with Him, each of us are capable of being the blessed vessels through which He can continue to breathe and spark life.

22:10 Just as Paul was led, God will lead each of us. A path unfolded before Paul, a purpose, a chance, and step-by-step, Paul walked it. These lives of ours can be a mutual effort: yourself and God. He provides the path but because of the complete freedom He has given you, you must decide to walk it.

22:11-13 Paul followed the opportunity God created and literally and symbolically, Paul regained his sight. God is our complete vision: 2 Corinthians 5:7. He knows the intricacies of your life and always has. Always will. Allow Him to expertly tailor your life to your greatest potential and joy. He opens our eyes to life, truth, wisdom and compassion, the elements of our spiritual DNA.

22:14-15 When God chooses us, it is because He knows how capable we are of being purposeful. He knows of the abundant compassion we have deep inside of ourselves, even if we have not yet realized or utilized it. Working with God and for God is a blessing and privilege; He enables us to do so much good. 

22:16 What are any of us waiting for? We are here, we are alive, opportunity and purpose eagerly await our fulfillment. We must observe ourselves and the world, analyze and perceive: what is truth and what is deception? Choose truth and labor joyfully for it.

22:17-18 Immediately upon Paul's transition from chaos and purposelessness into order and purposefulness, God became his shield, his protector, leading him away from trouble and guiding him along the journey of fulfilling his work and purpose.

22:19-20 Paul with honestly and humility admits to his transgressions. Paul had consented to the killing of innocent people. Acknowledge the mistakes and unkindness you have committed only so that God can correct those errors in you, that you can grow from them, and clean up the messes you've contributed to.

22:21 We often feel guilty or shameful about the wrong we have done but we show our most sincere apology when we work to be better, when we work to change and to begin to contribute to compassion and justice. God loves you so much, work to earn that love He gives freely to show Him you are appreciative. God does not loiter: Paul accepted his purpose and there was no time to sulk or sit, he needed to begin to be purposeful. Paul needed to remain purposeful all the days of his life. When we accept a path from God; we better walk it and walk it without hesitation! There is a lot of work to be done, develop your relationship with Him in order to trust Him to keep you moving, keep you focused, keep you purposeful. He will protect you, be perceptive so you notice the ways He redirects you from trouble and chaos.

Specifically for Paul: he was sent to bring God's philosophy to people who had not heard it or accepted it before. God first tried to reach the people who supposedly followed His word but His apostles were rejected and killed. They therefore rejected Him and God refocused His mission toward the rest of the world.

22:22-23 At the mention of God's acceptance of all people, the crowd became infuriated. They were hateful hypocrites. You do not want to be this way! God loves all souls equally. This crowd had a superiority-complex and it turned them rotten and unjust.

22:24 They begin to recapture and torture Paul.

22:25-28 Paul informs them that he has Roman citizenship, which permits him trial before punishment and disables them from harming him at this point.

22:29 Immediately they are nervous because they have broken the law: the were not allowed to arrest Paul based on Roman law.

22:30 Paul is brought to sit before his violent accusers, which continues in the next chapter!

NT: The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 21

The Acts of the Apostles 21:1-40

21:1-3 Luke gives an account of the disciple's travels; they stopped at various regions and shipping ports.

21:4-6 Although Paul is encouraged not to go to Jerusalem, Paul has already been guided by God to go there. We must all be able to discern our paths individually with God's guidance because even when someone does have our best interests at heart, they can't make our decisions for us.

21:7-8 Paul continues on his journey despite the prodding for him to change his plan. Paul is always determined, courageous and productive. He never allows himself to be deterred by other factors and people.

21:9 The disciples teach Philip's home and Philip has four young daughters who prophesy (meaning their strength of faith allows them to spiritual perceive certain things). 

21:10-11 Agabus was given the information from God that Paul would be captured in Jerusalem. God knows the unfolding of events on earth and He arranges for us to be fully informed (when we are vigilant).

21:12 At the realization and understanding that Paul's life on earth is coming to a close, the disciples are brokenhearted. They ask Paul, essentially, to run and hide in order to remain here but he corrects their thinking in the most beautiful way.

21:13 Their love for him is strong and it makes him emotional. Paul will miss them deeply but he reminds them of the strength of his faith and the passion he has for his purpose: "I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

Paul, humbly, is brave and feeling privileged at the opportunity to stand (successfully) for God's philosophy, so important that his adversaries would seek to destroy him for it. Paul knows that his enemies cannot kill him, our God is the creator of life. His children put compassion and justice above themselves and in return, God puts into His children eternal life.

21:14 The conceded to the truth of Paul's words and prayed for the will of God to be done. The will of God is orchestrated to protect our overall well-being. He cares and helps us to navigate this life when we let Him.

21:15-17 The apostles finally reach Jerusalem after a long journey of travelling.

21:18-19 Paul recounts to the disciples of Jerusalem all of the travelling and preaching. With joy he tells them that God's philosophy has been successful in reaching, healing and inspiring people.

21:20-23 The disciples inform Paul of a little adversity he is about to face concerning circumcision (again). We learned earlier on in these chapters that God explained circumcision was for health not for spirit and Paul taught that message. Yet these people are upset because they disagree. These people read and interpret the text literally, disregarding metaphor or logic for firm law.

21:24 They encourage Paul to show them his complete and pure faith.

21:25 These were guidelines for people who were not familiar with the earlier texts, advice on how to be and remain healthy (not eating unsafe meats, avoiding illness and disease).

21:26 Paul prays and re-enters the temple.

21:27-29 When supposedly spiritual people discover that Paul has associated with people who they deem inferior to themselves, they capture him. It's eerie how relevant this situation still is in our world today, so much prejudice and arrogance disallows compassion and justice to prevail.

21:30-32 The city was in an uproar and Paul was violently detained. None of this was a surprise to Paul, God ensured that he was prepared and ensured that Paul was made strong to endure.

21:33-36 Paul is chained, as was prophesied. The anger of the crowd is chaotic and unjust; they have no logic or reason. God's children are always prepared, properly aligned in thought and circumstance. These people are nonsensical, violent, prejudiced and hypocritical.

21:37-38 Paul requests to speak to the commander. Paul was made able to speak many languages by God. Paul was not the person the commander asked about. Paul is innocent.

21:39-40 Paul identifies himself and then arranges for an opportunity to...of course, preach. These people need it and it has been Paul's purpose in life to preach to those who need it. How brave and humble, how faithful he is to request the opportunity to speak with compassion to this crowd who has just so severely harmed him. God ensures that the opportunity is granted.