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Friday, July 3rd, 2015
CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
2 Kings 22:3-23:30
Acts 21:37-22:16
Psalm 1:1-6
Proverbs 18:11-12
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/TRAgqp
Commentary from Pastor Mike White:
I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women… – Acts 22:4
Paul had done some bad things. He had persecuted followers of Jesus, arresting them and throwing them into prison. In 1 Tim 1:15, Paul calls himself the chief among sinners! Paul knew his past, but he was unwilling to let it compromise his future.
Paul was unique. The people at Jerusalem gave Paul their ear because he was one of them. He was a Jew, born and trained to uphold Levitical Law to the strictest standard possible. Paul’s unique background made him qualified to preach to a group of people no one else could reach!
God is willing to give you the same kind of access. Your past does not disqualify you from being used by God. In fact, it qualifies you to reach a group of people who no one else can reach. Your education, and your life experience – whether good or bad – are unique. When God delivers you from something, you become qualified to minister to men and women who are struggling in that same area!
Do not be afraid of your past. God specifically designed you to minister to people who will listen to no one else. Preach the Gospel with boldness, just as Paul did.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that the Cross covers all my sins. There is nothing I have ever done that is too big for You to deal with. I know my past, however checkered, makes me uniquely qualified to preach the Gospel in a way no one else can!
© Michael D. White, 2015. All rights reserved.