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Unstoppable! 'Festus Takes Over' — Acts 25:1-2 Sunday, November 19, 2023 Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new responsibilities, he left for Jerusalem, where the leading priests and other Jewish leaders met with him and made their accusations against Paul. — Acts 25:1-2 NLT Key Thought Paul's Jewish adversaries, "the leading priests and other Jewish leaders," considered Paul as their enemy. As the following verses reveal, they were relentless in their pursuit of getting rid of Paul. Felix, the previous Roman governor, had kept Paul in prison to appease them (Acts 24:27) instead of releasing him. A few days after Festus arrived to replace Felix, he traveled to Jerusalem and learned of their accusations. In spite of the contrivances of Paul's adversaries, his eventual safe arrival in Rome — although his trip there was fraught with many challenges and dangers — was unstoppable because the Lord had promised him he would go to Rome and share Jesus with others there (Acts 23:11). Our foes may be influential, but God's plans will prevail. TODAY'S PRAYER Father, I come to you praying for those who oppose me and seek to do me harm. Bless them and open their hearts to know you and your grace. But please, dear Lord, don't let their evil plans triumph over me and destroy my influence for you. I know that I have not always done the correct, wisest, and best things in my relationship with these adversaries. Even so, dear Lord, you know that I long to do your will and bring your grace to others. So please, Lord, preserve me and use me to bless others. Don't let my enemies triumph over me. I ask this in Jesus' holy and powerful name. Amen. RELATED SCRIPTURE READINGS Psalm 3:1-8, 13:1-6 Romans 1:13-15