A Life Transformed
BRD REFLECTIONS:
(Madeleine Foo from Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Acts 26 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
God can transform the most unimaginable lives.
Before his encounter with the heavenly vision on the road to Damascus, Paul was a religious Jew and a zealous Pharisee who persecuted Christians.
Paul was blinded by a bright light from heaven on the road to Damascus and heard a voice asking, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (V14) When he asked “Who are you, Lord?”. The voice answered, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (V 15).
This statement from the Lord tells us that those who persecute Christians are actually persecuting Christ!
The Lord then appointed Paul to be a servant and a witness of Christ to the Jews and Gentiles (V16-17).
As a result of this encounter, Paul was totally transformed from being a persecutor of Christ’s followers to an apostle of the gospel.
The Jewish leaders were enraged and brought charges against Paul who was preaching repentance, forgiveness and Christ’s resurrection from the dead.
Paul was brought before King Agrippa to defend himself.
APPLY:
Paul considered himself “fortunate” to stand before King Agrippa to give his defence ( V2) as it was a great opportunity for Paul to witness for Christ before great and small (V22). This encourages me that I must seize every opportunity to share Christ too.
When persecution comes, I pray that God will give me the courage like Paul to stand firm and not waver from my faith.
Very often, when there is an encounter with the living God, lives will be transformed. I pray that as I dwell more into God’s Word, I will continue to be transformed to be a worthy disciple of Christ.
DO:
- Continue to pray for courage, faith and perseverance for Christians facing persecution.
- Take every opportunity to proclaim Christ in all I do and say.
- Draw strength from God’s word that He is working in me “to will and to act in order to fulfil His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).
PRAY:
Almighty God, thank You for Your grace in my life. May Your Holy Spirit continue to guide me in this new year to diligently seek You and be transformed throughYour Word to do Your will. Be glorified Lord, through my life. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen!
