Unstoppable! 'Felix Plays Politics to the End' — Acts 24:27

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Your Support is Needed

Donations are vital to help us keep the light shining!

 Donate Now

After two years went by [with Felix having frequent discussions with Paul], Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.

— Acts 24:27 NLT

Key Thought

In yesterday's Unstoppable, we noticed how Felix let his competing loyalties get in the way of faith and wasted his opportunity to turn his heart to Jesus. Today, we see that he was willing to let Paul sit in prison for two years and then leave him there because he wanted to gain the favor of Jewish leaders and the people who had grown tired of his rule. We trust that Paul used his time in prison to bless others and lead them to Jesus.* Unfortunately, Felix wasted this time and further moved his heart from godliness. Paul may have been held in prison by Roman authority, but Felix had put himself in a far worse prison because of his divided loyalties and lack of integrity.** Let's refuse to let anyone but our loving and compassionate Father have any influential rule over our hearts!

* See our first set of Related Scripture Readings.
** See our second set of Related Scripture Readings for some biblical teaching against divided loyalties.

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, may my heart ever hold you and your will as holy and appropriate for my life. I ask you, Holy Spirit, to help me see anything that competes for my loyalty and anything that could threaten Jesus' lordship in my life. I want to love you, dear God, with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I ask for help to do this, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Navigating Political Minefields
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious One, Each of My disciples is precious to Me. I hate for any of them to have to go through unfair trials and difficulties...."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 24:27 NLT — After two years went by [with Felix having frequent discussions with Paul], Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Focused on Goodness' (Ph. 4:8-9)
"Dear Father, praiseworthy God, Help me set my mind only on things that are true, that are noble, right, pure and lovely, things that are worthy of....."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Heaven's Choirs' (Re. 19:1-2)
"I heard a sound like massed choirs in Heaven singing, Hallelujah! The salvation and glory and power are God's — his judgments true, his..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 25:14
"Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Leo Buscaglia:
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have....."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!