Have you had a moment in your life that drastically changed you?
Acts 26:19-23
19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
If you’ve been following along in previous Grow Daily’s, you would have read about Paul basically giving his testimony of how a glorious encounter with Jesus changed his life. I find this section of the passage compelling because Paul describes what he did after his life was changed – it changed the actions that he was doing completely. He went sharing and delighting in what Jesus had done in his life. Instead of persecuting other believers for their faith in Jesus, he was the one being persecuted – being on trial and found in prison. Paul recognised that his life is now found in Jesus, it is not his own.
I love that Paul points out the overarching story of the whole Bible in verses 22 and 23. Everything from what the prophets found in the Old Testament are fulfilled or happened in Jesus. It is astounding God’s plan for humanity and faithfulness given to us for thousands of years. Stories that I remember being taught from “Sunday School” are actually all linked and all point to Jesus’ death and resurrection. God had a plan from the very beginning and will still carry it to fulfilment. How amazing it is to marvel at Gods sovereignty and his grace given to us.
Have you noticed a change within you since being changed by the Gospel? It may not be as drastic as Paul’s, but each of us will or should be changing in our character. The amazing work of the Holy Spirit is amongst you – compelling and convicting us in our areas of change. Are you ready for that?
Prayer: Heavenly Father,
Thank you for reminding me of the power of your Gospel. Thank you for Paul and his example of a life fully changed for your glory. Thank you for the grace that you show me time and time again and thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
I pray that you would continue to shape me as I grow in maturity. Help me to trust in your goodness and faithfulness through-out my life. We need you and rest on you.
We pray all these things by the power of your Spirit, Amen.
A song to listen to: This Life I Live – Emu Music
Ellen Wilcox
Living Church – Creek Road
