Tuesday, June 13, 2023 - GOD CHANGED HIM

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer

Tuesday, June 13, 2023 - Day 164 - (Today’s Bible readings: Jeremiah 14; Psalm 132; Acts 9:1-19)

GOD CHANGED HIM

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting... For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name?”(Acts 9:1-5, 19-21 ESV)

 

Do you know of a person whom you are sure will never become a follower of Jesus? 

● Someone who may use His name, but never with faith and reverence? 

● Someone who insists that there is no God?

● How about followers of false gods?

The conversion of St. Paul vividly teaches us that Jesus, who came to seek the lost, can change anyone. He changed Saul from a fire-breathing persecutor of Christians to one of the greatest Christian missionaries of all time.

Now, how about that person you were thinking about. Jesus can change him or her just as easily as He changed Saul. So, continue to pray. And do not be afraid to share Jesus as winsomely and lovingly as you can.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for changing Paul. Please have mercy on _________ and change _______ into one of Your followers too. In Your saving name, O Lord. Amen.

Pastor David Paape 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:

https://files.lcms.org/file/preview/XxtyVfFAq1AnLS1gOHvLxvC7AGJ1D4w3?

The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!