April 12, 2013
Paul was not chosen to be an Apostle by humans and he wasn't sent out to tell the Good News by humans either. He was chosen by Jesus Christ and God the Father. There was no strategic meetings or plans, he was simply chosen by God.
After his radical conversion, Saul went from attempting (in his own power) to destroy Christianity—to becoming Paul—no longer doing things in his own power but submitting his life to Christ and doing everything God called him to do in Christ's power. When God calls, God provides! He had to boldly address tricky issues. He faced persecution. He was falsely accused. He was disappointed in how quickly people turned from the Gospel; tried to add to the Gospel; tried to use the Gospel for selfish gain; or just plain rejected the Truth of the Gospel.
Today is Dad's birthday. He has been gone two years now. So grateful for the 90 years we had together and all he taught me. Love you, Dad!
Addendum: 5/2/16 ~ The Life Lesson for this chapter has a quote from Wisdom for the Way by Chuck Swindoll that I just love.
Next Entry: Galatians 2:1–21
Paul was not chosen to be an Apostle by humans and he wasn't sent out to tell the Good News by humans either. He was chosen by Jesus Christ and God the Father. There was no strategic meetings or plans, he was simply chosen by God.
After his radical conversion, Saul went from attempting (in his own power) to destroy Christianity—to becoming Paul—no longer doing things in his own power but submitting his life to Christ and doing everything God called him to do in Christ's power. When God calls, God provides! He had to boldly address tricky issues. He faced persecution. He was falsely accused. He was disappointed in how quickly people turned from the Gospel; tried to add to the Gospel; tried to use the Gospel for selfish gain; or just plain rejected the Truth of the Gospel.
"Do you think I am trying to make people accept me? No, God is the One I am trying to please. Am I trying to please people? If I still wanted to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10Paul did not have any ulterior motives. He wasn't looking for self-recognition. He was a servant with one purpose, "to protect and serve. Or, said another way, "service above self." We hear those phrases and we automatically think of a policemen. Paul was acting in that way. His service to Christ was above himself. His mission was to tell and protect the true Gospel of Christ—above all else.
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Today is Dad's birthday. He has been gone two years now. So grateful for the 90 years we had together and all he taught me. Love you, Dad!
Addendum: 5/2/16 ~ The Life Lesson for this chapter has a quote from Wisdom for the Way by Chuck Swindoll that I just love.
"Some of the most profound ministries of the Spirit of God are not public or loud or large. Sometimes His most meaningful touch on our lives comes when we are all alone. I urge you to include in your schedule time to be alone with God... You do have places where you can get away for a long walk, don't you? I hope it's in a wooded area. The gentle breeze blowing through the forest is therapeutic. Sometimes just being alone out in God's marvelous creation is all that's needed for the scales to be removed from your eyes and for you to silence the harassment and the noise of your day and begin to hear from God."Precisely why I love the woods so much and why hiking the Appalachian Trail has been so therapeutic for us. Yesterday, my husband and I went to Pokagon State Park and spent some time walking the trails, praying, relaxing, and enjoying the beauty of Spring in God's creation. We spent time praying for whoever God is going to bring to read this personal journey of faith while walking on His footpath. So, if you are reading this, that means we spent time praying for YOU.
Next Entry: Galatians 2:1–21
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