Today’s Bible Verse
“…I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself so that I may finish my race with joy and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Acts 20:20-24 (NKJV)
A Burning Conviction for God’s Purpose
The Apostle Paul possessed an undeniable conviction to fulfill God’s purpose even in the face of adversities. His life was a reflection of someone who was completely sold out and consumed with serving the Lord. He traveled and preached the gospel every place he went. He proclaimed the Good News publicly and from house to house. Paul was very zealous in reaching those who did not yet know Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. He didn’t start off that way, however. He actually opposed the Way of Christ in the beginning. It wasn’t until he had an encounter with the Lord on the Road to Damascus that his life was forever changed.
As a believer, there ought to be some level of evidence that you are a fully devoted follower of Christ. As you continue your passionate pursuit of knowing Him, there comes a time when you can’t help but testify of His goodness in your life. That is what happened with the Apostle Paul. He was compelled by God’s love to share the Good News with the world (2 Corinthians 5:14). He proclaimed that there is forgiveness of sin available to anyone who would believe in Jesus. He was so grateful for God’s mercy that he lived out the remainder of His life to serve God’s purpose. He was tried and tested by so many persecutions and sufferings but yet he never wavered in His commitment to do God’s will. How does a person develop such a conviction? When a person has a genuine encounter with God and is sincerely repentant of their past, they forsake their old way of living and begin living for something beyond themselves. They discover purpose and develop a passion for life, making a quality decision to live to please God.
God is looking for vessels that He can work His miracles through. He wants to bring salvation to the lost, healing to the sick, and deliverance to those that are bound. You have the answer that this world desperately needs, and His name is Jesus (Romans 10:14).
Something to Think About
When we watch a great movie, we get excited and tell our friends and family all about it. Some people even post it on social media for the world to see. How much more excited ought we to be about the One Who delivered our lives from destruction? Share your faith with others today and bring honor to the name of Jesus by which you have been saved. (Pastor Wally Matanza, Word of Life Yokohama)
Today’s Declaration
I am so grateful for God’s mercy and grace over my life; therefore, I will share my faith with others. I choose to do my part in fulfilling God’s dream of seeing the lost reconciled back to Him.
Today’s Bible Reading
- Old Testament: Zechariah 1-5; Job 40
- New Testament: John 20:19-23; Revelation 19
