Daily Reading: Galatians 1
Scripture Focus: And they glorified God because of me. (Galatians 1.24)
Devotional Thought: The Apostle Paul had one of those dramatic conversion stories. You know - the type that mesmerizes audiences with how far God can deliver someone. Paul had been a persecutor of Christians, but had met Jesus on the road to Damascus in a fiery vision that left him blind. He was miraculously healed when a fellow Christian came and laid hands on him. Then, he went out to preach the gospel. To top it off, he became the object of persecution himself. People stand in line to hear those stories retold! As Paul said, people "glorified God because of me."
I came from a difficult background, but my story is nothing like Paul's. People don't line up and pay money to hear my testimony. How about you? Is your story a little tame in comparison?
I know people whose stories are dramatic. And, the church glorifies God because of them. But I also know people like Brayden - the 6 year old boy that I baptized on Sunday, along with 3 other children and 3 adults. Is it any less of a miracle that God would save a boy like Brayden before he strayed deep into sin and rebellion? I think not. I think that God is glorified just as much by a child being saved as he is by a hardened sinner. And, the child, most likely, has done less damage and caused less pain than the adult.
So, the next time you feel like your story isn't too exciting, then thank God! Then, live your life to bring glory to him now.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you have forgiven my sin. Help me, O Lord, to live my life to bring you more and more glory. Grant me courage to tell others that you save!
Psalm of the Day: 8 Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? 9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? 10 He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge-- 11 the LORD--knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath. 12 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, 13 to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. 14 For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; 15 for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it. (Psalms 94:8-15)
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