Daily Reading: Acts 26
I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ (Acts 26.17-18)
Devotional Thought: When Christ appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus, he gave Paul a mission. What was that mission? And, by extension, what is our mission?
To open eyes. Before they know Christ, people's eyes are closed to the possibilities of grace. Paul’s first task was to open their blind eyes to the amazing love of God. What can we do, and what are you doing to open eyes?
To turn people from darkness to light. Naturally, people are in the dark about the nature of God. Jesus came as the Light to lead people into a relationship with God, to show people what God is like. Jesus also told us to let our lights shine so that people will glorify God! How do we let our lights shine? Through love!
To turn people from Satan’s power to God. People who are away from God are under the control of Satan. At times that control is overpowering and irresistible. At other times it is more subtle and nuanced. Either way, that control ultimately leads to spiritual death. Are you living under the power of God in such a way that others believe God is able to deliver them?
To invite people to receive forgiveness of sins. Until people know that they have sinned, they will not know that they need a Savior. In order for them to know sin, we must pray conviction from the Holy Spirit upon them. Then when we invite to receive forgiveness, they will be ready to receive it.
To invite people to be sanctified. When a person comes to Christ in a saving experience, they then become aware of the need to be filled with the Spirit. Living and sharing spiritual fullness is our blessed privilege!
Prayer: Lord, help me to fulfill my mission - to live and speak in such a way that people eyes will be opened, that they will see the light and turn to it, receiving forgiveness and the fullness of the Spirit. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 78:1-8
1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children,
6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children,
7 so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;
8 and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
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