“SAUL, SAUL, WHY ARE YOU PERSECUTING ME?”

Dinsdag 21 en Woensdag 22 Oktober 2025.

(Handelinge 21: 37-40)

“SAUL, SAUL, WAAROM VERVOLG JY MY?”

Net voor Paulus díe barakke ingebring is, sê hy vir die offisier: “Verskoon my, kan ek u iets vra?” ‘Ken jy tog nie Grieks nie?’ Het die offisier gereageer.
‘Dan is jy nie die Egiptenaar wat onlangs ‘n opstand gelei het, en met vier duisend ekstremiste die woestyn ingetrek het nie?’
“Ek,”het Paulus geantwoord, “is ‘n Jood van Tarsus in Silisië. ‘n Burger van ‘n belangrike stad. Ek versoek u: Laat my toe om die mense toe te spreek.”
Die offisier het ingewillig. Paulus het op die trappe gaan staan, en met sy hand vir die mense beduie om stil te bly. Dit het doodstil geword, en hy het hulle in Aramees, hulle moedertaal, toegespreek.

(Handelinge 22:1-9)

“Geagte broers en vaders, luister na my verdediging teenoor julle oor hierdie saak.”
Toe hulle hoor dat hy hulle in Aramees toespreek, het hulle nog stiller geword.
Hy gaan toe voort: “Ek is ‘n Jood wat in Tarsus in Silisië gebore is. Hier in Jerusalem het ek grootgeword, en opvoeding by Gamaliël gekry. Aan sy voete het ek geleer om ons Joodse Wet streng na te kom. Ek het ‘n kampvegter vir God geword, net soos julle almal vandag.
“Ek het jag gemaak op ‘Die Pad,’ tot die dood toe. Mans en vroue het ek gearresteer, en in tronke laat stop.
“Daarvan kan selfs die hoofpriester vir my getuig, en ook die hele Joodse raad. Van hulle het ek selfs briewe aan ons volksgenote in Damaskus verkry, om ook dààr hierdie mense te gaan arresteer, en vir strafoplegging Jerusalem toe te bring.
“Juis toe ek op pad was, sommer naby Damaskus, het daar teen die middag skielik ‘n skerp lig uit die hemel my omstraal.
“Ek het op die grond neergeval en ‘n stem vir my hoor sê: ‘Saul, Saul, waarom vervolg jy My?’
“Wie is U Meneer?” Het ek gereageer. ‘Ek is Jesus van Nasaret,’ het Hy my geantwoord. ‘Dit is vir MY wat jy vervolg.’
“Die mense saam met my het wel die lig gesien, maar nie die stem gehoor van Hom wat met my praat nie.”

Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 October 2025.

(Acts 21:37-40)

“SAUL, SAUL, WHY ARE YOU PERSECUTING ME:”

As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune: “May I say something to you?” And he answered: ‘Do you know Greek?
‘Are you not the Egyptian then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?’
Paul replied: “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia. A citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”
And when he had given him permission, Paul standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people to be silent. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language –

(Acts 22:1-9)

saying: “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”
And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the Law of our fathers – being zealous for God, as all of you are this day.
“I persecuted ‘This Way,’ to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women,
“as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there, and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.
“As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon, a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.
“And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me: ‘+Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’+
“And I answered: Who are You, Lord?” And He said to me: ‘+I Am Jesus of Nazareth Whom you are persecuting!’+
“Those who were with me saw the light, but did not understand the voice of the One Who was speaking to me.”

(Ek vertrou die Heilige Gees van God om my van die korrekte Skriflesing gedeelte te voorsien elke dag, volgens u behoeftes en verwagtinge. Aan Hom kom toe alle eer, heerlikheid, krag, mag, majesteit, lofprysing, aanbidding, en danksegging, van nou af tot in ewigheid.

I am trusting the Holy Spirit of God to reveal the correct portion of Scripture to me every day, according to your needs and expectations.

To Him be all glory, honour, power, might, majesty, praise, worship and thanksgiving, from now and forever more.)

HE DEFILED THIS HOLY PLACE:

Maandag 20 Oktober 2025.

PÊREL VIR ELKE DAG:

(Handelinge 21:25-36)

HY HET DIE TEMPEL ONTHEILIG:

“Wat betref die gelowiges wat vroeër nie-Jode was – ons het laat weet dat ons besluit het: Hulle moet hulle onthou van afgodsoffers, bloed, van iets wat verwurg is, en van seksuele sondes.”
Paulus het toe díe voorstel opgevolg, en die volgende dag saam met die mans die reinigings-handeling verrig. Hy het tempel toe gegaan en kennis gegee van die datum waarop die reinigings-tydperk verby sou wees, en die offer vir elkeen van hulle gebring sou wees.
Die sewe dae reinigings-tyd was amper om, toe Jode van die provinsie Asië vir Paulus by die tempel sien. Toe begin hulle ‘n hele skare teen hom aanhits. Hulle het Paulus gegryp
en geskreeu: ‘Al julle Israeliete, kom help! Hier is die man wat deur sy onderrig almal oral, teen ons volk en teen ons Wet en teen ons tempel beïnvloed. Nou het hy boonop nog Grieke hier ingebring en hierdie tempel wat aan God gewy is, ontheilig!’
Hulle het kort tevore Trofimus, ‘n nie-Jood van Efese, saam met Paulus in die stad gesien, en verkeerdelik die afleiding gemaak dat Paulus hom in die tempel ingebring het.
Die hele stad het in beroering gekom en ‘n betoging het begin. Hulle het Paulus by die tempel uitgesleep, en die deure is dadelik toegesluit.
Hulle het hom probeer vermoor, toe die offisier oor duisend man, van die Romeinse garnisoen hoor dat die hele Jerusalem in oproer is.
Hy het onmiddellik met soldate en offisiere op hulle afgestorm. Toe die betogers die offisier oor duisend man en sy soldate sien kom, het hulle opgehou om Paulus aan te rand.
Die offisier het Paulus toe gearresteer en hom met twee kettings laat boei. Hy vra toe die betogers wie die man is, en wat hy gedoen het.
Sommige het dít, en sommige weer dát geskreeu. Daar was só ‘n rumoer dat hy nie kon uitvind wat presies aan die gang is nie. Gevolglik het hy beveel dat Paulus kaserne toe gevat moes word.
Toe Paulus by die trappe kom, moes die soldate hom dra, want só geweldadig het die skare geword.
‘n Klomp is agterna en het geskreeu: ‘Weg met hom!’

Monday 20 October 2025.

PEARL FOR EACH DAY:

(Acts 21:25-36)

“HE DEFILED THIS HOLY PLACE:”

“But as far as Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgement that they abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.”
Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice of when the days of purification would be fulfilled, and the offering, presented for each one of them.
When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
crying out: ‘Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone, everywhere against the people and the Law and this place. Moreover, he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place.’
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.
And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
Then the tribune came up and arrested Paul, and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was, and what he had done.
Some of the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts, because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.
And as he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd,
for the mob of the people followed, crying out: ‘Away with him!’

I am trusting the Holy Spirit of God to reveal the correct portion of Scripture to me every day, according to your needs and expectations.

To Him be all glory, honour, power, might, majesty, praise, worship and thanksgiving, from now and forever more.)

“LET THE WILL OF THE LORD BE DONE:”

Saterdag 18 en Sondag 19 Oktober 2025.

PÊREL VIR ELKE DAG:

(Handelinge 21:10-24)

LAAT DIE WIL VAN DIE HERE GESKIED:

Ons was reeds ‘n hele paar dae daar toe ‘n Profeet met die naam Agabus, van Judea af daar aankom.
Toe hy ons daar kom opsoek, het hy Paulus se belt gevat, en sy hande en voete daarmee vasgebind. Toe sê hy: “So sê die Heilige Gees: Die man wie se belt dit is hierdie – die Jode in Jerusalem sal hom netso vasbind, en hom in die hande van die nie-Jode uitlewer.”
Toe ons dit hoor, het ons en die plaaslike gelowiges Paulus gesmeek om nie Jerusalem toe te gaan nie.
Sy reaksie was egter: “Waarom wil julle my hart sag maak met julle huilery?Julle weet mos dat ek ter wille van die Naam van die Here Jesus, nie net in Jerusalem gevange geneem te word nie, maar ook te sterf.”
Toe hy nie tot ander insigte gebring kon word nie, het ons met hierdie woorde berus: ‘Laat dan die wil van die Here geskied.’
Hierna het ons opgepak en Jerusalem toe vertrek.
Party van die gelowiges van Sesarea het saam met ons gegaan. Hulle het ons na Mnason toe gevat, wat oorspronlik van Siprus af was, en wat reeds van vroeg af ‘n gelowige was. By hom sou ons tuisgaan.
Die gelowiges in Jerusalem het ons hartlik ontvang.
Die volgende dag is Paulus saam met ons na Jakobus toe. Al die ouderlinge was ook daar.
Nadat Paulus hulle gegroet het, het hy in besonderhede vertel wat God onder die nie-Jode deur sy bediening gedoen het.
Toe hulle dit hoor, het hulle God geprys. Hulle het egter vir Paulus gesê: ‘Jy sien broer, daar is hoeveel duisende van dié wat gelowig geword het, wat Jode is, en hulle is almal ywerige toepassers van die Wet.
‘Die gelowiges hier in Jerusalem het gehoor dat jy al die Jode wat onder die nie-Jode woon, leer om die Wet van Moses te ignoreer. Hulle beweer jy leer hulle, om nie meer hulle kinders te laat besny nie, en om nie die ander Joodse gebruike te onderhou nie.
‘Wat nou? Hulle sal beslis te hore kom dat jy nou hier is.
‘Ons het ‘n voorstel: Ons het vier mans hier, wat ‘n gelofte afgelê het. Hulle moet nou die nodige by die tempel gaan doen.
‘Vat hulle tempel toe en gaan saam met hulle deur die reinigingshandeling, en betaal vir hulle haarsny. Dan sal almal weet dat die stories wat oor jou versprei word, nie waar is nie. Maar dat jyself die Joodse Wet nakom en onderhou.’

Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October 2025.

PEARL FOR EACH DAY:

(Acts 21:10-24)

“LET THE WILL OF THE LORD BE DONE:”

While we were staying for many days, a Prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own hands and feet and said: “Thus says the Holy Spirit: ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’
When we heard this, we and the people there urged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
Then Paul answered: “What are you doing and breaking my heart? For I am ready, not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem, for the Name of the Lord Jesus.”
And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said: ‘Let the Will of the Lord be done.’
After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.
And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
After that he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
And when they heard it they glorified God and said to him: ‘You see brother how many thousands there are among the Jews, of those who have believed. They all are zealous of the Law,
‘and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles, to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.
‘What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.
‘Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow.
‘Take these men and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the Law.’

I am trusting the Holy Spirit of God to reveal the correct portion of Scripture to me every day, according to your needs and expectations.

To Him be all glory, honour, power, might, majesty, praise, worship and thanksgiving, from now and forever more.)

KNEELING ON THE BEACH, WE PRAYED:

Vrydag 17 Oktober 2025.

PÊREL VIR ELKE DAG:

(Handelinge 20:36-38)

ONS HET OP DIE STRAND GEKNIEL, EN GEBID:

Toe Paulus klaar gepraat het, het hy saam met hulle almal gekniel en gebid.
Almal het baie gehuil en Paulus omhels en hom gesoen.
Hulle was veral hartseer oor sy stelling dat hulle hom nie weer sou sien nie. Toe het hulle hom skip toe gevat.

(Handelinge 21:1-9)

Nadat ons van die Efese-ouderlinge afskeid geneem het, het ons reguit na die eiland Kos gevaar. Die volgende dag is ons na Rodos en daarvandaan na Patara.
Toe het ons ‘n skip gekry na Fenisië.
Ons het die eiland Siprus in sig gekry, en is Sirië toe, terwyl ons Siprus aan ons linkerkant verby gevaar het. In Tirus het ons afgeklim, want die skip moes sy vrag daar aflaai.
Ons het die gelowiges daar opgesoek en sewe dae gebly. Deur die Gees gedring het hulle vir Paulus gesê om nie na Jerusalem te gaan nie.
Na ‘n week moes ons vertrek en verder reis. Die hele Gemeente, vroue en kinders ingesluit, is saam met ons strand toe, buitekant die stad. Daar het ons gekniel en gebid,
en mekaar gegroet. Ons het toe aan boord gegaan, en hulle is terug huis toe.
Ons het van Tirus af die seereis voortgesit na Ptolemaïs. Daar het ons die gelowiges gegroet en ‘n dag by hulle gebly.
Die volgende dag het ons vertrek en in Sesarea aangekom. Ons het by die evangelis Filippus, een van die sewe, tuisgegaan.
Hy het vier ongetroude dogters gehad, met díe gawe om te profeteer.

Friday 17 October 2025.

PEARL FOR EACH DAY:

(Acts 20:36-38)

KNEELING DOWN ON THE BEACH, WE PRAYED:

And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
And there was much weeping on the part of all. They embraced Paul and kissed him,
being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

(Acts 21:1-9)

When we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo.
And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed and
said farewell to one another. Then we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day.
On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea. We entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.

I am trusting the Holy Spirit of God to reveal the correct portion of Scripture to me every day, according to your needs and expectations.

To Him be all glory, honour, power, might, majesty, praise, worship and thanksgiving, from now and forever more.)

“IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE:”

Woensdag 15 en Donderdag 16 Oktober 2025.

PÊREL VIR ELKE DAG:

(Handelinge 20:22-35)

“DIT IS MEER GESEËND OM TE GEE AS OM TE ONTVANG:”

“En nou is ek op pad Jerusalem toe, gebind deur die Gees. Wat daar met my gaan gebeur weet ek nie.
“Wat ek wel weet is dat die Heilige Gees my in elke stad verseker dat gevangenskap en vervolging voorlê.
“Al is my lewe kosbaar, ag ek dit van geen waarde as ek nie my lewenstaak en my bediening wat ek van die Here Jesus ontvang het, kan klaarmaak nie: Om die Goeie Nuus te verkondig dat God mense liefhet, sonder dat hulle iets hoef te doen om dit te verdien.
“En nou is dit duidelik: Ek weet dat nie een van julle my weer sal sien nie – julle onder wie ek rondgegaan en Konings-heerskaopy verkondig het.
“Daarom stel ek dit vandag duidelilk aan julle dat dit nie my skuld is as enigeen van julle verlore gaan nie.
“Want ek het nie weggeskram daarvan om die volle plan van God aan julle te verkondig nie.
“Pas julleself op en die hele kudde oor wie die Heilige Gees julle as ouderlinge aangestel het. Julle moet as herders die Kerk van God versorg. Die Kerk wat Hy vir Homself verkry het, deurdat Sy eie Seun gesterf het.
“Self weet ek dat daar na my vertrek, wrede wolwe onder julle sal indring en hulle sal die kudde nie spaar nie.
“Selfs uit julle eie geledere sal daar mense te vore kom wat, deur verdraaide dinge te verkondig, die gelowiges sal probeer verlei, om hulle te volg.
“Daarom: Wakkerloop! Onthou dat ek vir drie jaar lank sonder ophou vir elkeen van julle die regte koers aangedui het, dag en nag, en met trane.
“En nou vertrou ek julle aan God toe en aan die boodskap van die Genade wat Hy aan mense bewys. Hierdie boodskap is in staat om julle op te bou en julle in die seëninge te laat deel wat Hy aan al die gelowiges as erfporsie belowe het.
“Ek het niemand se silwer of goud of klere begeer nie.
“Julle weet dat hierdie twee hande van my in my behoefte voorsien het en in die behoeftes voorsien het van die wat saam met my was.
“In alles het ek vir julle ‘n voorbeeld gestel, dat ons só hard moet werk, sodat ons die armes kan help. Onthou die woorde van die Here Jesus: “Dit is meer geseënd om te gee as om te ontvang.”

Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025.

PEARL FOR EACH DAY:

(Acts 20:22-35)

“IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE:”

“And now behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,
“except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city, that imprisonment and affictions awaits me.
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I can finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus. To testify to the Gospel of the grace of God.
“And now behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about, proclaiming the Kingdom, will see my face again.
“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all,
“for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in Which the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to care for the Church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.
“I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
“and from among your own selves will rise men speaking twisted things to draw away the disciples after them.
“Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.
“And now I commend you to God and to the Word of His Grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
“I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
“You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way, we must help the weak, and remember the Words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said: “It is more blessed to give, than to receive.”

I am trusting the Holy Spirit of God to reveal the correct portion of Scripture to me every day, according to your needs and expectations.

To Him be all glory, honour, power, might, majesty, praise, worship and thanksgiving, from now and forever more.)

PAUL HAD DECIDED TO SAIL PAST EPHESUS:

Dinsdag 14 Oktober 2025.

PÊREL VIR ELKE DAG:

(Handelinge 20:13-20)

PAULUS HET BESLUIT OM BY EFESE VERBY TE VAAR:

Paulus is landlangs Assus toe, maar ons is vooruit na die skip toe, en het na Assus gevaar, waar Paulus afgespreek het dat hy aan boord sou gaan.
Hy het ons daar gekry; ons het hom aan boord geneem en Mitilene toe gevaar.
Die dag daarna het ons by Chios verby gevaar. Die volgende dag het ons by Samos aangekom. Nog ‘n dag later het ons Milete bereik.
Paulus het reeds voorheen besluit om by Efese verby te vaar sodat hy nie nog langer in die provinsie Asië, tyd hoef deur te bring nie. Hy was haastig om as dit kon, op Pinksterdag in Jerusalem te wees.
Maar Paulus het van Milete af ‘n boodskap na Efese toe gestuur, om die ouderlinge van die Gemeente te ontbied.
Toe hulle by hom kom, sê hy vir hulle: “Julle weet dat ek die hele tyd, van die eerste dag af dat ek in die provinsie Asië gekom het,
“die mense met my hele wese, in alle nederigheid gedien het, en dat dit met trane gepaard gegaan het. Dan was daar ook die beproewings wat oor my gekom het, vanweë die komplotte van sommige Jode.
“Julle weet ook dat ek nooit weggeskram het van die waarheid toe ek by julle gepreek het, en julle in die openbaar en in julle huise onderrig het nie.
“Ek het een boodskap vir Jode en Grieke gehad: Dat hulle, hulle tot God moet bekeer, en in ons Here Jesus moet glo.”

Tuesday 14 October 2025.

PEARL FOR EACH DAY:

(Acts 20:13-21)

PAUL HAD DECIDED TO SAIL PAST EPHESUS:

Going ahead to the ship, we we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he arranged, intending himself to go by land.
And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene.
And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and the day after that we went to Miletus.
For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he might not have to spend time in Asia. For he was hastening to be at Jerusalem if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the Church to come to him.
And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first time that I set foot in Asia,
“serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews.
“How I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,
“testifying both to Jews and Greeks of repentance towards God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I am trusting the Holy Spirit of God to reveal the correct portion of Scripture to me every day, according to your needs and expectations.

To Him be all glory, honour, power, might, majesty, praise, worship and thanksgiving, from now and forever more.)

PAUL DECIDED TO RETURN THROUGH MACEDONIA:

Maandag 13 Oktober 2025.

PÊREL VIR ELKE DAG:

(Handelinge 20:1-12)

PAULUS HET BESLUIT OM DEUR MASEDONIË TERUG TE GAAN:

Met die betoging verby, het Paulus die gelowiges bymekaar geroep, en hulle moed ingepraat. Daarna het by hulle gegroet en Masedonië toe vertrek.
Op sy reis daarheen, het hy die gelowiges met baie preke bemoedig. Hy kom toe in Griekeland aan,
waar by drie maande gebly het. Toe hy op die punt gestaan het om Sirië toe te vaar, het ‘n komplot teen hom aan die lig gekom. Hy het toe besluit om pad langs deur Masedonië na Sirië toe terug te gaan.
Heelwat mans het saam met Paulus gereis. Hulle was Pirrus se seun Sopater, van Berea, Aristargus en Sekundus, albei van Tessalonika, Gaius van Derbe, Timoteus, en Tigikus en Trofimus, albei van die provinsie Asië.
Hulle het vooruit gegaan en in Troas vir ons gewag.
Na die Pasga het ons per skip van Filippi af vertrek en vyf dae later by hulle in Troas aangekom. Daar het ons ‘n week gebly.
Ons het die Sondag bymekaar gekom vir die Maaltyd van die Here. Paulus het ‘n bespreking met hulle gehou. Omdat by die volgende dag wou vertrek, het hy tot middernag aanhou praat.
Daar was taamlik baie lampe in die bovertrek waar ons vergader het.
Terwyl Paulus aanhou en aanhou met die bespreking, het ‘n jong man met die naam Eutigus, wat op die vensterbank gesit het, in ‘n diep slaap begin wegsink. Vas aan die slaap het hy uit die derde verdieping tot onder geval. Hulle het hom as ‘n lyk opgetel.
Paulus het ondertoe gegaan, op Eutigus gaan lê, sy arms om hom gesit en gesê: “Moenie julle ontstel nie. Hy lewe!”
Paulus het weer boontoe gegaan, brood gebreek en geëet. Hy het nog ‘n hele tyd met hulle gepraat, tot dagbreek toe, en toe vertrek.
Die mense het die seun lewend huistoe gevat. Dit was vir hulle ‘n buitengewoon bemoedigende ervaring.

Monday 13 October 2025.

PEARL FOR EACH DAY:

(Acts 20:1-12)

PAUL DECIDED TO RETURN THROUGH MACEDONIA:

After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia.
When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece.
There he spent three months. And when a plot was made against him by the Jews; as he was about to set sail for Syrea, he decided to return through Macedonia.
Sopater and Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and the Asians Tychicus and Trophimus.
These went ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas.
But we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread. And in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.
On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them. Intending to depart on the next day. And he prolonged his speech until midnight.
There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered.
And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep, as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep he fell down from the third floor and was taken up dead.
But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said: “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him .”
And when Paul had gone up and had taken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while – until daybreak, and so departed.
And they took the youth alive, and were not a little comforted.

(I am trusting the Holy Spirit of God to reveal the correct portion of Scripture to me every day, according to your needs and expectations.

To Him be all glory, honour, power, might, majesty, praise, worship and thanksgiving, from now and forever more.)

“YOU OUGHT TO BE QUIET AND DO NOTHING RASH:”

THERE AROSE A DISTURBANCE CONCERNING THE “WAY OF THE LORD:”

Vrydag 10 Oktober 2025.

PÊREL VIR ELKE DAG:

(Handelinge 19:21-27)

DAAR WAS ‘N GROOT OPSKUDDING OOR “DIE PAD VAN GOD”:

Hierna het Paulus deur die Gees gedring, besluit om deur Masedonië en Agaje na Jerusalem te reis. “Nadat ek daar was,” het hy gesê, “moet ek Rome ook sien.”
Hy het twee van sy helpers, Timótheüs en Erastus, met ‘n mandaat Masedonië toe gestuur; self het hy nog ‘n tyd lank in die provinsie Asië gebly.
Juis in daardie tyd was daar ‘n taamlike groot opskudding oor “Die Pad.”
Dit het begin by ‘n silwersmid met die naam Demetrius. Hy het silwer Artemis (Diana) tempeltjes gemaak en vir die ambagsmanne ‘n beduidende verdienste verskaf.
Hy roep toe die ambagsmanne en ander wat soortgelyke werk doen, en sê vir hulle: ‘Manne, julle weet dat ons voorspoed uit hierdie bedryf kom,
‘en nou sien en hoor julle dat hierdie Paulus ‘n beduidende klomp mense van sy standpunt oortuig het, naamlik dat gode wat met die hand gemaak word, gladnie gode is nie. En dit gebeur nie net in Efese nie, maar byna in die hele provinsie Asië!
‘Dis nie net ‘n geval van ons bedryf wat gevaar loop om sy goeie naam te verloor nie. Die gevaar bestaan ook dat die tempel van die groot godin Artemis, wat die hele Asië en die wêreld as god vereer, as nikswerd beskou word, en dat sy van haar grootheid beroof gaan word!’

Friday 10 October 2025

PEARL FOR EACH DAY:

(Acts 19:21-27)

THERE AROSE A DISTURBANCE CONCERNING “THE WAY OF THE LORD:”

Now after these events, Paul determined in the Holy Spirit that he would travel through Macedonia and Achaia (most of Greece), and go to Jerusalem, saying: “After I have been there, I must visit Rome also.”
And having sent two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, he himself stayed on in (the province of Asia) for a while.
But as time went on, there arose no little disturbance concerning the “Way of the Lord.” For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of the goddess Artemis (Diana), brought no small income to his craftsmen.
These he called together, along with the workmen of similar trades, and said: ‘Men, you are acquainted with the facts and understand that from this business we derive our wealth and livelihood.
‘Now we notice and hear that not only in Ephesus but almost all over the province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and induced people to believe his teaching and has alienated a considerable company of them, saying that gods that are made with human hands are not really gods at all.
‘Now there is danger not merely that this trade of ours may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may come into disrepute and count for nothing, and that her glorious magnificence may be degraded and fall into contempt – she whom all the province of Asia and the wide world worship.’

I am trusting the Holy Spirit of God to reveal the correct portion of Scripture to me every day, according to your needs and expectations.

To Him be all glory, honour, power, might, majesty, praise, worship and thanksgiving, from now and forever more.)

ALL THE RESIDENTS OF ASIA HEARD THE WORD OF THE LORD:

Woensdag 8 en Donderdag 9 Oktober 2025.

PÊREL VIR ELKE DAG:

(Handelinge 19:8-20)

ALMAL IN ASIË HET DIE WOORD VAN DIE HERE GEHOOR:

Paulus is toe na die sinagoge en hy het daar vir drie maande lank met vrymoedigheid gepreek. Hy het besprekings gehou en oortuigende argumente aangevoer oor die Konings-heerskappy van God.
Party was egter koppig en wou hulle nie laat oortuig nie. Hulle het ook voor die Gemeente sleg gepraat van ‘Die Pad,’ Toe het Paulus die sinagoge verlaat en hy het die gelowiges saam met hom geneem. Hy het daagliks in die lesingsaal van Tirannus besprekings gehou.
So het dit vir die volgende twee jaar gegaan, sodat almal in die Romeinse provinsie Asië, Jode sowel as Grieke die boodskap van die Here gehoor het.
God het deur Paulus se optrede wonderbaarlike dinge gedoen.
Selfs wanneer doeke of voorskote wat aan sy vel geraak het, op siekes gesit is, het hulle siektes verdwyn. Selfs bose geeste het uit mense uitgegaan.
Party rondreisende Joodse geesuitdrywers het ook probeer om die Naam van die Here Jesus te gebruik vir mense wat bose geeste gehad het. Die formule wat hulle probeer het, was: ‘Ek dryf jou uit in die Naam van dié Jesus, vir Wie Paulus verkondig.’
Hierdie geesuitdrywers was die sewe seuns van ‘n senior Joodse priester, Skeva.
Maar die bose gees binne-in die man het vir hulle gesê: ‘Jesus ken ek, en van Paulus weet ek, maar wie is julle?’
Die man in wie die bose gees was, spring toe onder hulle in. Hy was te sterk vir hulle, en kry die oorhand oor hulle, sodat hulle kaal en erg beseer uit daardie huis gevlug het.
Hierdie gebeure het bekend geword by al die Jode en Grieke in Efese. ‘n Gevoel van diep ontsag het oor almal gekom, en die Naam van die Here Jesus is groot gemaak.
Baie van dié wat gelowig geword het, het hulle aangemeld en al hulle praktyke openlik bely.
Heelparty van dié wat toorkunste beoefen het, het hulle toorboeke saamgebring en voor almal verbrand. Die waarde van hierdie boeke was 50 000 silwer muntstukke.
So het die Woord van die Here kragtig gegroei en sterk geword.

Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 Oktober 2025.

PEARL FOR EACH DAY:

(Acts 19:8-20)

ALL THE RESIDENTS OF ASIA HEARD THE WORD OF THE LORD:

Paul entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the Kingdom of God.
But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of ‘The Way,’ before the Congregation, he withdrew from them. He took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.
This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the Word of the Lord.
And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,
so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin, were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them. And the evil spirits came out of them.
Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the Name of the of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits. Saying: ‘I adjure you by the Jesus Whom Paul proclaims.’
Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva, were doing this.
But the evil spirit answered them: ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?’
And the man in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them, mastered all of them, and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house, naked and wounded.
And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the Name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.
Also many of those who were now believers, came confessing and divulging their practices.
And a number of those who practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them, and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.
The Word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

I am trusting the Holy Spirit of God to reveal the correct portion of Scripture to me every day, according to your needs and expectations.

To Him be all glory, honour, power, might, majesty, praise, worship and thanksgiving, from now and forever more.)