Years later, Paul’s travels preaching Christ all over the Roman Empire had made him some very obsessive enemies. Seeing him in the Temple in Jerusalem, they stirred up a mob scene so violent that Roman soldiers had to rescue Paul (cf. Acts 21:27-36). But, far from
intimidated, Paul saw this as a chance to tell the mob of his life-long passionate loyalty to God, and the meeting with Jesus that changed his life.

• A common rabbinic prayer, one Paul himself had undoubtedly prayed during his early life,said, “Lord, I thank you that I was not born a Gentile.” The mob in Jerusalem was angrybecause Paul had spent years preaching to Gentiles, a mission he said God gave him.Who are the people you’re thankful you aren’t? How can you apply the principle of Paul’smission and play a part in helping God to reach those people?
• Paul told of a Christian named Ananias who conveyed God’s call to him. Acts 9:10-18 alsotold the story, but more from Ananias’ point of view, showing the courage and faith it took forhim to go to a man who had come to town to imprison and maybe kill him. Has God evercalled you to do something good that nevertheless scared you and called for some courage?If God called you to an “Ananias” mission today, how do you believe you’d respond?