"Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized," Acts 9:17-18
When did you know you were a runner? I mean really know? Perhaps it was after you completed your first 5k or maybe not until sometime later? The point is, there was probably not a defining moment that you can recall when you made the change from non-runner to runner right? If you're like me, you might even say the same about your spiritual conversion. I don't really recall when I became a Christian, it just seemed to happen. For others, they can tell you the instant they knew.... the defining moment when they went from being a sinner to a sinner saved by Grace.
Stories like that make for jaw dropping testimonies don't they? The conversion of Saul of Tarsus definitely qualifies as one of those. He was furiously intent on killing the Lord's disciples. As he neared Damascus on his journey to do that very thing, "a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (v.3-4). He was immediately struck blind for three days. But the instant the scales fell from his eyes and he could see again, he got up and was baptized. What an amazing story of the redemption power of Jesus. As the bible tells us, Paul (formerly known as Saul) went on to preach the gospel in boldness and power converting people wherever he traveled, at every opportunity. And praise the Lord, his God inspired writings are still changing people today.
It doesn't matter how you came to know Christ. Whether it was a defining moment conversion or a gradual coming to the Lord. What matters is this... what will you do now? Let's tell the world the good things Christ has done for us. If you are a sinner saved by grace, won't you share that? Like Paul, your story has the power to change people today.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your saving grace. Thank you that we can say with boldness that I was lost but now I'm found. Oh Lord, thank you for changing us and for making us your own. Give us the boldness and power Lord to be a witness to the good things you have done for us. Our stories can change people if we are only willing to share them. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org
Defining Moment - Newsong
No comments:
Post a Comment