Bible Text: Acts 25 | Speaker: Blake Nichols | Series: Acts | Two Questions to Ask
Acts 25
It has been two years since Paul appeared before Governor Felix.  Now Governor Festus is in office and Paul is to present his case before him.  How does Paul handle a repeat in his life?  How do we handle it when God has our life in a repeat cycle?

There are two questions to ask when we are in a repeat cycle and life seems to be at a standstill.

What is God doing?                          
What should we do in response to what God is doing?

God always has a specific purpose for our life—where we live, where we work, our life situation.  Acts 9:15-16 gives God’s purpose for Paul:

15 But the Lord said to him (Ananias), “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

The general purpose for every believer is to share Jesus as stated in the Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20: 9 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

Often we have to wait for God to reveal His purpose for us as an individual.  Waiting is essential in the life of the believer.  An example of this is found in John 11:21-22: 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” There is often a difference between our perspective and God’s perspective.

What should we do when we are in a repeat cycle or at a standstill in our life?

Remind ourselves that God is in control and working behind the scenes.
Look for places where God wants us to stand up…as Paul did before both Governors Felix and Festus.
Be sure to speak the truth in love…never in a selfish way or use flattery.
Be ready to appeal to the higher power.  Paul appealed to Caesar. We are encouraged to come boldly before the throne of grace, to our God.  Also, we are not to be Long Ranger Christians.  Wisdom is found in numbers in such areas as our Bible Study Group, Pastor, and Mentors.

God loves us.  Let us keep moving forward