WITNESSES TESTIFY
WITNESSES TESTIFY
I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him. —Acts 22:4-20
In just over 400 words the Apostle Paul shared what he was doing before he had a relationship with Jesus, how he came into relationship with Jesus and how that relationship impacted his life. Paul was a “chosen” vessel, chosen by our Lord to serve Him and to reach people for Jesus. There would be much suffering in Paul’s life as he served the Lord, but he persevered until he died (Acts 9:15-16).
Can you write your story in about 400 words? Can you share your testimony in about 400 words? Have you shared your testimony in about 400 words? How our Lord has transformed a life is powerful evidence of His existence and His working in this world. All glory is His. We are saved by grace and grace alone, not by works at all (Ephesians 2:8-10). Today, share what God has done in your life through our Lord Jesus. Trust His Holy Spirit to guide you as you talk with someone about Him today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yBzIt_z8oY
Dear Father help me to be sensitive to the person or persons you want me to talk with today. May I do so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it!