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This morning, more thoughts about Paul 
in prison....    

Yesterday I was struck with God's preparation for him 
to come to Jerusalem 
with the warning of impending 
persecution and prison    

Sooo....    
reading about his 'adventure' with God 
from that perspective has caught me 
rethinking what my 'gut' reaction might be....    

Bribes....  
Yes, it's wrong to give a bribe  
but sometimes it seems like so tempting 
to give one....  
just 'expedite' things...

That's what I have thought for years
reading; Acts 24:24-27

Felix kept having Paul come and talk to him
for 2 years.....
hoping Paul would bribe him
so he could be released
from prison....

so tempting....
A little bribe....
and Paul could have been out doing God's work.....'

wrong.... but....  :P

Hmmm...

This morning I wondered....
'What if Paul DIDN'T WANT to be
released?'
What if Paul realized GOD didn't want him released?

What if this was Paul's amazing opportunity
to talk to a Roman ruler...?!

That staying in prison with a bored leader around
was God's perfect opportunity
to use him to speak into an influential man's life.....?!

How cool is that?

Hmm....

A God setup
A 'captive' audiance
A strategic high level long term impact...

all because Paul DIDN'T bribe Felix
and go for a
Short Cut.....

Go for what might be
Normal

sort of OK

Totaly understandable....

even something lots of people
were probably PRAYING for....

A GET OUT of Prison card....  free or
not...

Hmm...

Lord,
I find it interesting
that my default of
FREEDOM
including how to use it to
DO Your work
was something
Paul
gave to You
and
maybe even grinned
at the consternation
of Felix
by staying in prison
and
talking to him
about righteousness,
self control
and judgement to come...

Thank You for
reframing my view of
Freedom
....in You.

no matter where I am.

Yeah.
Cool.

PJ