Genesis 12:1-4 ~ I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

 

Genesis 12:1-4

Now the Lord said to Abram, 

“Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. 

Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Abraham and Moses are a message of hope. Life is for Living.

Age 80? Norman Vincent Peale said, if you are alive, there Is Hope.

For most of us reading this passage, we are part of Abraham's blessing, but the Lord is not going to make a great nation from us.  I worked on my cousin's Estate, there were 12 children in the early 1900s and it comes to 34 descendants, not a nation. Perhaps one of us will have children and progeny that will become a nation. It's vital to look at the Scriptures and be fed from them, not to just remember the good old days of Biblical history.

How will we apply this Scripture to our lives? We are called to grow up, in maturity to the LORD.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 

The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

People, who aren't listening to the Lord themselves, would look at this passage and say Abram was ready to move away from Haran.   Spiritually, Abraham was being called to be the soul God intended him to be. God didn't send a pack of people with him, cheering him on. God moved him out of polytheism and into obedience to the Lord. 

God's blessings are always of interest to us, let's look at them: children, children's children, honorable reputation and greatness come from God. And very importantly… Gratitude. And:

Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit of the Spirit is 

love, 

joy, 

peace, 

patience, 

kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness, 

gentleness, 

self-control;

 against such things, there is no law.

Genesis 48:15-16

15 And he [Jacob/Israel] blessed Joseph and said,

“The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked

the God who has been my Shepherd 

all 

my life long to this day,

The angel who has redeemed me from all evil, 

bless the boys;

and in them let my name be carried on,

and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;

and 

let them grow into a multitude 

in the midst of the earth.”

Jacob's special blessing on Joseph's children is the one Jacob considers to be the best blessing. He tells us he has witnessed God as his protector, the helper, the Holy Spirit. A redeemer from all evil; in himself and in others. 

Jacob expects God's blessings to be carried on in the generations to come.

It is important to remember Jacob/Israel is a blessings thief. Wrestling even God for a blessing.

Jacob had real tragedy in being outcast from his family at his dad's death (his own behavior), being cheated by his employer and family, the death of Rachel & in the years (learning how it feels to be the one cheated) they were not married. Jacob's married life created a lot of unhappiness (for all the people involved!!), his children developed poorly leading up to the disappearance of Joseph - a lie carried out by all of his sons. Reuben slept with his concubine/wife. Jacob ends up leaving the promised lands from severe famine - the Promised Land, being settled in Gishon where the Egyptians as a nation hate shepherds.

Yet, Jacob says, not tragedy, he sees the blessings of God. Jacob didn't live life on the Good Ship Lollipop, but wrestled with God to see the blessings.

Isn't it great - a blessing - how in the die-young, ancient world - God uses the flawed heroes of the Bible to point out they didn't get right and didn't get it right, yet opportunity is ahead with repentance, hope and faith. These are the patriarchs because they always see God as part of the path, refusing to feel abandoned to trouble-the events of life.

So, how do our Biblical patriarchs do with God's blessing? 

Abraham lied to a Pharaoh and later a king about his marital status and then allowed his wife to enter their harem. Abram separated from Lot over material needs. Abraham's faith wavered for God to complete His promise. He had a child out of wedlock and failed to care for the child's mother. 

Abraham failed to treat his second wife kindly. Scriptures are vague on how well he treated the children from that union. Jacob had similar issues - still both men were counted as righteous - for their faith in the Lord. 

God isn't looking for perfect people, but repentance and affirmation of lack of self-righteousness. Admission of sin and a trust in God to help.

God's blessing was not just material, but for the Lord to save them from their sins. Their flaws. 

Misfortune happened to both men, but both considered themselves blessed.

Psalm 146:8

The LORD gives sight to the blind, 

The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, 

The LORD loves the righteous.

Praise be to You, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and our God of all comfort. You are wonderful, O God. Praise be to You, O Lord God.

As a mother comforts her child, so You comfort me, Father God.

 You are the comfort of Israel. Please Father God, give endurance, encouragement and a spirit of unity among the body of Christ.

In Your great mercy You have given me new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Thank You for Your listening with compassion and empathy to my prayers.

Praise be to You, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in the Heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Thank You God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ 

is the same yesterday, 

today, 

and forever.

Abba, Father!

WE PRAY 

BLESSINGS 

And

Gratitude

Every Day

WE PRAY

for

THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL

To be 

the Voice

of LOVE

Joy, Peace, Patience,

Goodness,

Faithfulness,

gentleness

and

SELF CONTROL

Let's pray

for the departure

of what

 is not

good.

We pray the Blessing

of Love and Peace

Shining

The Light of Love Peace and Joy

upon

The Teachings of Jesus Christ.

God of Love

God of Encouragement

God of the Bible. 

The safety 

of those

helping the earth 

to heal.

Let evil and practicing evil

depart 

far 

from us

and our children.

With Your Help

We will act justly

 and to love mercy

 and to walk humbly with You, our God.

Cover us

in peace worldwide.

Please, Father, remember

North Carolina has flooded

California has fire we have never seen.

Give us more of 

Your Strength

and Hope.

Dwell in me,

Dwell in us,

Dwell in those we Love,

Help us to seek You first.

And we will finish well, 

in Jesus Christ. 

Help us seek and find 

and bring,

to become,

 more Heaven

to this earth.

For California

putting out the fires

speedy insurance

claims

and fast rebuilding

realizing the standard building codes

even of Reagan

were safe.

Peace

And in Jesus - This Hope.

Faith and Love - we will rise up Believing Jesus.

Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes The Lord Fulfills His Purpose

Thank You Jesus The Lord

Genesis 40 ~ Bulla Bulla and belong to God

 

Front, Back and Detail of Isaiah Bulla found at Royal Bakery, Ophel

Dr. Eilat Mazar believes the motif on the Isaiah Bulla is a grazing doe, symbolizing prosperity. (Interestingly,  imagery of this is found in the book of Isaiah— Isaiah 11:6; 13:14 and 35:6.)

3rd Generation, Professor of Archaeology of Israel University - Dr. Eilat Mazar

According to Dr. Mazar, "In archaeology, context matters. When examining an artifact, the material surrounding the item plays a crucial role in determining and verifying its proper identity."

The ruins and artifacts surrounding the Isaiah bulla conclusively date to the First Temple period (in archaeological terms, Iron Age). We can know with certainty the Isaiah who owned this seal lived in Jerusalem between the ninth and seventh centuries B.C. The Prophet Isaiah lived in Jerusalem in the eighth century B.C.

But in this instance, we have even more archaeological context. The Isaiah seal was uncovered at the same time (2009) and in the same assemblage (collection of bullae and other artifacts) as the Hezekiah seal. It was discovered just a few feet from the Hezekiah bulla, and in exactly the same strata of soil.

Dr. Mazar, in her article for Biblical Archaeology Review, noted the discovery of the Isaiah bulla just a few feet from the Hezekiah bulla and asked how likely it is that this bulla could belong to an Isaiah other than Isaiah the prophet. She wrote this is a “surreal scenario.”

Genesis 40

1 Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt.

2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody.

5 And one night they both dreamed--the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison--each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. 6 When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled.

7 So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, "Why are your faces downcast today?"

8 They said to him, "We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them."

And Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me."

9 So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, "In my dream there was a vine before me, 10 and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand."

12 Then Joseph said to him, "This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh's cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. 14 Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. 15 For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit."

16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, "I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, 17 and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head."

18 And Joseph answered and said, "This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. 19 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head--from you!--and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you."

20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand.

22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.


Bulla, Bulla by Sam for Real and The Pharoahs. Straight from dusty robes and roads.




There are so many, many, many archaeological proofs of Hezekiah. His bulla stamp are very plentiful. Because Hezekiah was a Glory Reign of Israel. His seal is found in items of trade. Like jars of Honey. Not the Royal Official Letter Seal. But items of quality saying something like: "Product of Israel." Even if Hezekiah was King of Judah. Hundreds of seals, seal impressions on jar handles. Trading with Egypt. Many Egyptian Hezekiah Bulla are found.

Because Archaeology is never exact without all the data clearly printed out, we will pray the weight of method of Archaeology and the Experience of Dr. Eilat Mazar will bear Isaiah up.

Now Why - would Isaiah identify himself on his seal as a Prophet. Seems rather presumptuous.

1. Within the text of the Book of Isaiah, Isaiah himself is referred to as "the prophet"


2. Isaiah answers the Call of God. With all his heart.

Isaiah 6:
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

2, Isaiah was in the vicinity, then participates, in the Announcement of the Birth of Christ in 700 years.



Isaiah 7

Then the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub,
to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field.

4 Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. 5 Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah’s son have plotted your ruin, saying, 6 “Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it.” 7 Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“‘It will not take place,
it will not happen,
8 for the head of Aram is Damascus,
and the head of Damascus is only Rezin.
Within sixty-five years
Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people.
9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria,
and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son.

If you do not stand firm in your faith,
you will not stand at all.’”

10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”


Isaiah is so honest as to report, the birth of Jesus is told by God Himself to the House of David. As God has spoken to David.


12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and[ will call him Immanuel.

15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. 17 The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.”





Isaiah understood what Zechariah would see. The same understanding 700 years apart.

Isaiah 14:12

How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!

Luke 1

76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,

78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

79 to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”


John wrote after calling Jesus God of Love. Just like Genesis 1 - Let there be Light.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

2 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.




In the midst of child loss, all his sons in Egypt for food, the darkness,  Jacob could see the Light.

Genesis 46

2 And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.”

And he said, “Here I am.”

3 Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. 4 I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again,
and Joseph's hand shall close your eyes.”




We follow all the Word of God to see the Parallels. Isaiah is found with Hezekiah - Living Bread. Joseph is found with the Living of the King.

Abba, Father

We ask Your blessing upon ourselves, the ones we Love, the people You have given us. 

This Nation. Peace for all.

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

2 Corinthians 4:16

So we do not lose heart

And in Jesus - This Hope.

Faith and Love

 - We will rise up 

Believing Jesus

Amen!

Our Amen is in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes The Lord Fulfills His Purpose

Thank You Jesus The Lord

Matthew 12:1-12 ~ I desire mercy, and not sacrifice

Matthew 12:1-12

1 At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath." 3 He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."

9 He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"— so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, "Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." 13 Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

18 "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope."


A Sunday a few years ago, I have a blessed memory to sit with my Church family and my mom, her wonderful boyfriend Jack and my husband to hear a wonderful sermon partially on the do not be anxious Scripture. We were God's wheat sitting in His wheat field! Growing on that warm Sunday to be fruitful for God.

Matthew 6:25-34

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ²⁸And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 

³¹Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

³⁴ "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

We talked about a woman who was weeping over more testing needed for re-occurring cancer and was letting me know how she was feeling guilt-stricken that Jesus would not want her to be fearful.

Our sermon was about not dwelling on the hurts of the past to grab the peace God would give us as a gift. A supernatural gift. An amazing thing. The Gift of Peace. Suddenly.

My mom turned to me - glowing - and said it was the best sermon she'd heard in a long time.

God does not want us to suffer in worry over what He is willing to do for us. 

God is willing to become man, living as truth and grace among us. Understanding our sufferings. Weeping with Lazarus' sisters, freeing people from their illnesses and hurts. Dancing with David in victory.

When we look at today's passage, we see wheat - a harvest of fruitfulness in progress. We see Jesus commenting on getting sheep out of a pit. We have an incredible gift - a miracle of a restored hand from Father God. We are all talking about the same thing. Acts of God. Jesus is telling us His is merciful. Fruit must have time to grow. Supernatural gifts must have room to be celebrated. The man with the restored hand was that sheep in a pit.

The woman who was afraid, about cancer testing, wanted to be strengthened. Jesus is that kind of Savior. He is the Savior willing to be merciful to us as we grow in Him. The lady who was weeping last week, looks forward in hope this week. She did fine and had a very unexpected turn in life to have far more Joy. Never give up on God.

Jesus tells us over and over about God's willingness. This is why in all circumstances, in good times, in difficulty, Jesus is our Hope.

1 John 3

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.



19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

Abba,Father

Thank You for this day. Thank You for my life. Thank You for the Book of Life. 

Thank You for Jesus. Thank You for Jesus. Thank You for Jesus.

And in His Temple, all cry, “Glory!” The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as King forever. May the Lord give strength to his people!

Abba, Thank You for giving us Your Word. We pray for more Heaven on earth. For Your Good Will. Thank You for this Day. Help us to build Your Blessings and hold our Truth. Give us the Blessing of Seeking You First. Let us live in Love, Joy and Peace.

Cover us in the Love and Mercy of Jesus and His Name. We ask this for our Nation and the nations coming to Your Brightness. We ask all Your willing Blessings for ourselves and our Loved ones.

Help the ones we Love to be guided and blessed by You . 

Please bless Elliott and Dee with good health. Bless Jim. And for those caring for the ill. For our families to live in Love and be Your Pleasure.

Jesus is God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes The Lord Fulfills His Purpose

Thank You Jesus The Lord

Acts 26 ~ I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today †

 

Paul before Agrippa, by Nikolai Bodarevsky

Some days we live, we will never forget.

A day to live in infamy to eternity and remembrance.

This morning I asked the Lord, if we pray, "Give us this day, what do we do with, staying home with Edward and Covid to "Give us the day."  My, my, my the day presented itself and the evening began to go far better.  

Edward has been quite ill, in the hospital 2021 and then suddenly with Covid. Not wanting to eat. A right tango. With presented food, the doctor ordered, to his meh. We texted and Edward was prayed for. An improvement. Edward in bed, me far enough away in the hallway, to have coffee and Edward has coffee with me.  Conversation surpasses loud arguments over food and wellness. Love still wins.

Acts 26

 

26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”

So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

9 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”

32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”