PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 22:6-21
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.” (Acts 22:15)
My experience of Jesus is changing me, and I am not afraid to admit it.
In fact, I want others to know that they can experience this life change also.
Jesus doesn’t make me better than others; he humbles me and shows me my weakness.
I am a struggling sinner in need of Jesus’s help, just like everyone else.
Every day I sense Jesus helping me, gently rebuking, guiding and strengthening me.
And always loving me, renewing forgiveness and his commitment to help me grow.
It is not church or religion that I want to witness to, it is Jesus.
Like Paul, I am sent to people to show them who Jesus is, what Jesus does.
For the Jews, the Gentiles were looked down on, unworthy, beyond God’s grace.
Jesus sends Paul to people like this, so that they too can know his grace and love.
Do people see and hear Jesus’ life-transforming grace and humility through me?
Or do they feel condemned, judged, looked down on, unloved, unworthy.
Our world needs more of Jesus, not more of religion.
May my life be a witness to the amazing mercy and grace of Jesus!
PRAYER
Lord, sin messes me up and yet you love me. You do not give up on me. May my life be an example of your amazing grace, so that everyone can be blessed through knowing you.
“…people here will not accept your testimony about me…‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ” Sometimes our message of the good news of Jesus will not be accepted. I/we have to be ready for that. Paul was alerted that this would happen because of his previous activity against the people following Jesus – so God said, I’ll send you away from here. Paul did, but even then the Jews caught up to him and caused numerous incidences that impacted his work and his health and safety. Satan won’t leave us alone – he doesn’t want to lose his grip on those who do not know Jesus and have never heard the gospel news. Help me to be strong and faithful to the mission – that more may be able to hear the good news!
Our lives are epistles read by all. Others need to see Christ Jesus living in me by my words and deeds. Wherever I am and whatever the activity, I am a representative of the King with His Spirit enabling me to be His ambassador. It is only through His guidance that I can do this as I go forward in His name also today being a witness of His grace and love.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul.