If you watched Live at 9 a.m. /
Coffee and Bible with Pastor Dave on May 21st you would have learned a
new method of study. Pastor Dave pointed out that sometimes the same stories
appear multiple times; they are that important.
In this case the story of Saul's
conversion on the Road to Damascus is related in Acts 9:1-9 and then retold as
testimony to the Jewish people in (Acts 22:3-22), and
once more as testimony to King Agrippa (Acts 26:9-28).
These passages instruct us on the
importance and value of our testimony. They show that God changes lives, that He loves
and cares for even the 'worst' of us. We may feel that we are a hopeless case,
that our sin is too evil to be forgiven. We are certain that God cannot use us,
nor would He want to, given what we have done. Friends, that is Satan telling his lies. But the life of Paul tells a different story.
Paul often refers to his sinful life before Jesus knocked him off his
horse. He points to the fact that forgiveness is for everyone. Paul’s
testimonies are powerful, and one many of us related to in our early days as
followers of Jesus. Paul's testimony changed lives and so will ours.
My painful stories and my and
suffering can help you on your journey just as your story helps me. When I see
all that you endured and the faith you exhibit today despite it, I am convicted
and confident in the Good News. Your story matters. Your story has the power to
be used by the Holy Spirit to change lives. Now go tell it two more times.
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