Praise God for Your Story
And they praised God because of me. (Galatians 1:24)
Paul’s reputation definitely preceded him. His story of coming to faith in Christ circulated throughout the east long before he had made one of his “missionary journeys.” Before Christ, Paul was a stone-cold legalist. He even took it upon himself to organize the extermination of early believers. His efforts led to the stoning death of Stephen, one of the first deacons. Paul was on his way to Damascus for more fervent, religious zealotry, when he encountered Christ and was blinded. Struck to the heart, this man who was known as a ruthless henchman for orthodoxy, now would become a proclaimer of God’s sweet grace.
Talk about an about face! His salvation experience was real and some in the early church struggled at first to accept it. When they met him, and saw his changed life and obvious conversion, they knew he had experienced exactly what they, too, had experienced -- salvation.
Before the days of dramatic personal salvation church testimonies, Paul had a dramatic change that rocked the church. His testimony spread widely; and when people did meet the actual man, they were doubly impressed. Now he was preaching the actual faith he had previously tried to eliminate. What a story!
Maybe you have listened to the testimonies of individuals much like Paul who were transformed by the grace of God into an entirely different person. God still does that.
Don’t discount your story…and you have one. Your story doesn’t have to include cinematic characteristics to be worthy of repeating. Your story of coming to Christ is worthy of repeating because it is your story! No one has a story just like yours. God did a unique work within your hardened heart and you changed, and for the better. You were transformed not by a lightning bolt but by the moving of the Holy Spirit within your now-changed heart. Your story needs to be told and you are just the one to do it. Praise the Lord for your story; and let someone else know what you were like before you met Christ. One day, just like Paul, you will be able to say, “And they praised God because of me.”
Paul’s reputation definitely preceded him. His story of coming to faith in Christ circulated throughout the east long before he had made one of his “missionary journeys.” Before Christ, Paul was a stone-cold legalist. He even took it upon himself to organize the extermination of early believers. His efforts led to the stoning death of Stephen, one of the first deacons. Paul was on his way to Damascus for more fervent, religious zealotry, when he encountered Christ and was blinded. Struck to the heart, this man who was known as a ruthless henchman for orthodoxy, now would become a proclaimer of God’s sweet grace.
Talk about an about face! His salvation experience was real and some in the early church struggled at first to accept it. When they met him, and saw his changed life and obvious conversion, they knew he had experienced exactly what they, too, had experienced -- salvation.
Before the days of dramatic personal salvation church testimonies, Paul had a dramatic change that rocked the church. His testimony spread widely; and when people did meet the actual man, they were doubly impressed. Now he was preaching the actual faith he had previously tried to eliminate. What a story!
Maybe you have listened to the testimonies of individuals much like Paul who were transformed by the grace of God into an entirely different person. God still does that.
Don’t discount your story…and you have one. Your story doesn’t have to include cinematic characteristics to be worthy of repeating. Your story of coming to Christ is worthy of repeating because it is your story! No one has a story just like yours. God did a unique work within your hardened heart and you changed, and for the better. You were transformed not by a lightning bolt but by the moving of the Holy Spirit within your now-changed heart. Your story needs to be told and you are just the one to do it. Praise the Lord for your story; and let someone else know what you were like before you met Christ. One day, just like Paul, you will be able to say, “And they praised God because of me.”
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January
Building Men Over MembershipsActions and WordsPraying in God’s WillA Call to God’s ChurchFalse ProphetsJesus Intercedes for YouAre You Encouraging Others?Strengthening BelieversSalvation Is SimpleCounterfeit TeachingBe Ready for the End Jesus Understands Your PainLooking ForwardCommitting Others To ChristSharing Your StoryTaking the Time To BlessPraying for UnbelieversA Word of BlessingJesus Cares about YouThe PavementAre You Confessed Up To Date?Fighting Self-Sufficiency With PrayerBe Responsible for Your ChildrenJesus Is Standing with You The Promise of the Holy SpiritBe Aligned in PrayerI Am InnocentAligned PrayersPraying with PowerDealing with ProblemsHandling Stress
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Come and SeeA Childlike FaithDon’t Miss OutWhy Support Israel?Praying For IsraelHow To Honor GodResisting EvilThe Lord Encourages UsJesus Is the AuthorityGod ProvidesLiving Out The Great CommissionMaking SureA Heart of RepentanceSharing Your FaithSubmitting to God’s WillSecure in Your IdentityHow Are You Filled?God Is All-SufficientJesus Is The Only WayPray, Just PrayNo Sin Is Too BigThe Purpose in PainFeed Your FaithStay in Love with JesusIt’s Only JesusRemember Who God IsGifts from the Holy SpiritThis World Is Not Your HomeBe Different
March
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Unbelievers need to hear the stories of converted Christians of what their lives were like before. Unbelievers think they are unworthy to come to Christ. Of course they are, but there is hope for each one. All they need to do is accept Jesus and His salvation