February 22, 2026
Occasionally God Will Warn You to Prepare You, Not Stop You
1 Timothy 1:18 …Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, …New International Version
Acts 20:22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, … New King James Bible
Acts 20:23 …except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But noneof these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. New King James Version
Acts 21:4 And finding disciples (In the city of Tyre 100 miles from Jerusalem), we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. New King James Bible
Acts 21:10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said,“The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” New International Version
Acts 21:12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” New International Version
The Best Way to Share Your Faith is With Your Story
Acts 22:1 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense (Apologia-defending the gospel with a reasoned defense) before you now.” 2 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. New King James Version
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give adefense (Apologia) to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; … New King James Version
Acts 22:3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. New King James Version
Acts 22:4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, 5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished. New King James Version
Acts 22:6 “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. 7And I fell tothe ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ New King James Version
Acts 22:9 “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. 10 SoI said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ New King James Version
Acts 22:11 And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus. New King James Version
Acts 22:20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’” New King James Version
Acts 22:22 And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” New King James
God Will Give You Encouragement and Strategies to Navigate Tough Situations
Acts 23:1 Then Paul, looking earnestly atthe council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” 2 And the highpriest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. New King James Version
Acts 23:3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?” New King James Version
Acts 23:4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” 5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written,‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people. (Exodus 22:28)’” New King James Version
Acts 23:6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!” New King James Version
Acts 23:7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. New King James Version
Acts 23:11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” New King James Version
From this point on Acts is about Paul bringing the gospel to Rome. Acts began in Jerusalem and it will end in Rome. In order to protect Paul’s life, God moves him from a Jewish religious trial to the Roman courts. Rome is going to unknowingly fund Paul’s last leg of his missionary journey. They will protect him, feed him, and bring him to Caesar.The first part of his trip to Rome is to go before Felix, the governor of Judea.