"Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against The Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' 'Who are you, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' He replied ... The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision ... Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul ... Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength ... At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is The Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, 'Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?' " Acts 9:1-22 (NIV)
Luke, the physician and travelling companion of the Apostle Paul, here records the conversion of Saul, which was Paul's given name. Paul went from prosecutor to preacher after his encounter with The Lord on the road to Damascus.
This Bible story should teach us several things. One, only God can truly change someone's life and heart. Two, those people who used to run with us will notice the change in us, but they will not understand it, and they will not be changed. Three, God must change us before He can use us, and we must go through something as part of it. Four, we don't know how God plans to use someone so don't judge them by their past. Five, it does not matter what kind of sinner we were beforehand, God can turn our life around and use us to be a blessing to others. Jesus said that Saul was praying (verse 11), and maybe that is what we should do so that God will us us as He sees fit to do His will.
Showing posts with label preach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label preach. Show all posts
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
We Must Go Through Many Hardships
"They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. 'We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,' they said." Acts 14:21-22 (NIV)
Paul and Barnabas travelled about preaching and teaching about Jesus. While large numbers of Jews and Gentiles heard them and believed, there were also large numbers of people who did not believe them and wanted to stone them. They left those cities and went elsewhere to preach the gospel, but the later returned to the cities where they were both loved and hated. At the risk of harm to themselves, their purpose was to encourage the believers to keep the faith.
Most of us do not live in countries where we are persecuted for our beliefs. However, during these difficult economic times, a lot of us are experiencing hardships of one kind or another. We are bombarded daily with all kinds of non-Christian philosophies and temptations that test our faith. We need to stand strong as we deal with our many trials and tribulations and we need to encourage others to do likewise. The words we say to encourage others, may very well be helpful to us also. Remember, God will never leave us, or forsake us. If He brought us to it, He can bring us through it.
Paul and Barnabas travelled about preaching and teaching about Jesus. While large numbers of Jews and Gentiles heard them and believed, there were also large numbers of people who did not believe them and wanted to stone them. They left those cities and went elsewhere to preach the gospel, but the later returned to the cities where they were both loved and hated. At the risk of harm to themselves, their purpose was to encourage the believers to keep the faith.
Most of us do not live in countries where we are persecuted for our beliefs. However, during these difficult economic times, a lot of us are experiencing hardships of one kind or another. We are bombarded daily with all kinds of non-Christian philosophies and temptations that test our faith. We need to stand strong as we deal with our many trials and tribulations and we need to encourage others to do likewise. The words we say to encourage others, may very well be helpful to us also. Remember, God will never leave us, or forsake us. If He brought us to it, He can bring us through it.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Don't Be Afraid To Spread The Gospel
The apostle Paul preached the gospel and spoke boldly for The Lord to the Jews and gentiles.
"Then spake The Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace; For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee; for I have much people in this city." Acts 18:9-10
The Lord told Paul to spread the word and do not be afraid. We were told the same thing in the great commission. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations ... and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:19-20
Since The Lord is with us, we really do not have to worry about whoever is against us. So, let's go forth and spread the word of God. This is not just for preachers and deacons.
"Then spake The Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace; For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee; for I have much people in this city." Acts 18:9-10
The Lord told Paul to spread the word and do not be afraid. We were told the same thing in the great commission. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations ... and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:19-20
Since The Lord is with us, we really do not have to worry about whoever is against us. So, let's go forth and spread the word of God. This is not just for preachers and deacons.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)