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"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)
Friday, June 28, 2024 - Day 180 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Job 16-18; Acts 9:1-22)
GOD CAN CHANGE 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.
Delay not, delay not, O sinner, draw near.
The waters of life are now flowing for you.
No price is demanded, the Savior is here,
Redemption is purchased, God’s promise is true.
Delay not, delay not, O sinner, to come;
For mercy still lingers and calls you today.
Its voice is not heard in the vale of the tomb;
Its message, unheeded, will soon pass away.
Delay not, delay not! The Spirit of grace,
Long grieved and resisted, may take his sad flight
And leave you in darkness to finish your race,
To sink in the gloom of eternity’s night.
Delay not, delay not! The hour is at hand;
The earth will dissolve, and the heavens will fade.
The dead, small and great, in the judgment must stand.
What power, then, O sinner, can lend you its aid?
Delay not, delay not! Why longer abuse
The love and compassion of Jesus, your God?
A fountain is opened; how can you refuse
To wash and be cleansed in his pardoning blood?
(Hymn # 349 from Lutheran Worship)
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
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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