Do you ever think about who the Apostle Paul used to be before he met Jesus?
His name wasSaul.
This man Saul was not just any man, but was a man zealous in his desire to serve God. However he was nothing more than an instrument in the hand of the enemy. He sought to tear down, destroy, and kill what would bring glory to God, but all in the name of serving God. He was an obstacle to truth, not a protector of it…..UNTIL…..one day, as Saul was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, his life was forever altered. In his flesh, he was preparing to go to Damascus to find any who were following ‘the Way’ and bring them bound to Jerusalem (Acts 9: 1-2). Saul was going to clean up the mess that was brewing because of the disciples of Jesus if it was the last thing he did!
Well, what do you know……Saul met Jesuson the road that was, in his mind, the road that would stop others from declaring the same.
What I’d like to share today isn’t the fantastic story that follows, but to point out something so subtle that I never recognized it before.Themost wickedpersecutor of the gospel of Jesus Christ was suddenly changed into themostpassionatewitness that has ever walked the face of the earth. But do you know what, despite the most drastic change anyone could ever experience, God didn’t change his name very much at all. He didn’t become Herbert, or Gregory, or Lawrence, or Phillip…you get the idea. God in His great wisdom and sovereignty changed only the first sound of his name. He removed the ‘S’ and replaced it with a ‘P’. That’s all. Just one letter changed.
What’s the big deal? Well, for all of us, a name represents who we are. Saul was a wretched sinner who thought he was a mighty force for God. When he became Paul, he saw what a wretched sinner he really was; ironic isn’t it? But through the grace of God and his love for Jesus, Paul lived for the glory of God, with every sin covered in forgiveness by the blood of the Lamb.
Could it be, just maybe, that God made him into a ‘Paul’ so that he’d never forget who hewas? That his name would purposely remind him of theSaul that God saved him from?
In order for any of us to be of use to the Lord, we must be humble; we must see how truly unworthy and wretched we really are. I’ve had a good glimpse of that in myself recently. Although it isn’t pleasant in the least, it is very necessary. To forget the depth of the sin we possess is to lose the amazement of His incomprehensible grace in our lives.
For Today:One letter, that’s all. It’s enough to makeallthe difference in the world; we are new in Christ Jesus…. But one letter was and is just enough to remind us of the sinner that remains, and of the filthy rags of our own righteousness.
Just like Paul, maywenever forget who we used to be as we daily live to be who we are in Him.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.1 Corinthians 13:12
Have you ever stopped to think how often we want what is to come later, right now? We have trouble waiting for the best and sometimes we go so far as to try and make it happen when it isn’t possible. But nothing happens apart from God’s timetable.
So we must be content with what He provides for us today;now.For now, we see...
People often wonder how to have faith. Some wonder as well what or who to have faith in. We complicate many issues in life by not investigating the correct source. The question of how to have faith is relatively simple, and God in His grace tells us exactly how to get it.
Romans 10: 17Faith comes by hearing; hearing comes by the word of God.
Do youseehow to have faith? If you do, you’ll notice that we have to follow the verse from the end back to the beginning.The ...
The Cross of Christ has a very clear message. Do you know it?
1 Corinthians 1:18For the message ofthe crossis foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, itis the power of God.
The crossISthe power of God. Jesus IS the power of God. The shedding of His holy, sinless blood was not weakness, but POWER. The willing sacrifice made no ‘sense’ to darkened eyes and hearts, but in it, God revealed His grace. The story the cross tells is only ...
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD Your God is in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
What if you and I lived this as if it was a FACT? It doesn’t mention anywhere that this is conditional, based upon our perfect performance. Could it be because it has nothing to do with us other than the fact that we are the recipients? I think...
Psalm 118 has some really great advice. Listen with me.
v.1:Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Do you hear theexcitement?
v. 2-3:Let Israel now say, His mercy endures forever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that His mercy endures forever. What doesyourhouse say? This is whatEVERYhome who loves the Lord needs ...
As Christians, we know and have heard the verse about the narrow path and the importance of staying on it;for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are on it. (Matthew 7:13) So when we repent of our sins and come to Christ, we learn that we must move from the wide path to the narrow path. This is where we’ll stay close to Jesus; this is where we’ll walkwithHim…
But when it comes to ourfocus or our view of life, I believe our p...
I never thought of this before, but in the book of Wisdom, God presents the very last chapter to us through King Lemuel….because ofthe influence of aMOTHER.
How many heartfelt words does a mother speak to her children over the span of her life? ……..And how many times does a mother feel like the words she speaks are just going out into dead space…..not falling on receptive ears? Wemustspeak them no matter what it feels like for we have no idea how or when God will use them. How m...
The title of this Proverb is ‘The Wisdom of Agur’.There is a note in one of my Bible’s which reads as follows: “Agur was most likely a student of wisdom at the time of Solomon. His proverbs reflect his humility, a deep hatred for arrogance, and a sound theological mind.”
Let’s listen to what he has to say and reflect on the questions he poses.
1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, his utterance. This man declared to Ithiel—to Ithiel and Ucal:
1:He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed; and that without remedy.
Do you know someone like this? My mom used to call it the ‘hard head’; but I guess God calls it the hard neck. This isn’t the person who nobody cares about; it is the person who is corrected often, with many attempts made to point them to the narrow path….but sadly, they are content to travel the broad road; to “Have itMYway”. Suddenly however, their destruction comes; and i...
You are invited!"Day by Day" Is an opportunity for you to share what you are learning about God and His word with others. Join our wonderful friend Maria as she offers insight that the Lord gives and offers it back to Him by sharing. Please don't miss this chance to "share what you know" ... so that we can know more about our great God together! To submit your thoughts or comments just send it in an e-mail to the5.2project@gmail.com or write it straight in the box below and we'll post it for you. Thank you for sharing with us this way!
Comments:
Thank you Maria. Today was a wonderful reminder to me ... Thank you for you faithfulness! Love, Rachel
Thanks once again Maria for your “sharing” today. Such a great encouragement to me today and this was such a good study on these verses. THANK YOU
Maria, what a blessing your writings are to me. I love reading how God is working in your life and how beautifully you are so willing to share. What a wonderful Savior we have!! Thank you Maria from the depths of my heart. Donna
Thank you Maria for your lesson today! Praise God, He can do the impossible! Love, Rachel
Thanks once again, Maria. Your “studies” each day have once again blessed and touched my heart. I love what you did that illustrated GRACE! Just want you to know that your sharing is not in vain or going unnoticed! - Terrie
Thank you for the reminder that God made me for such a time as this; my adequacy is in our Great and Loving GOD!
Gravity: I can NOT wait to defy gravity! Come quickly LORD Jesus! Praise God, His thoughts are greater than my thoughts!! Thank you for sharing, Maria!
On 1 Peter:
Maria, Thank you so much for sharing what God is showing you in His Living Word! I Peter was a great encouragement to us through Levi's cancer and surgery. Just as you shared, we were continually reminded that our suffering was not in vain! God graciously allowed us to see His Hand at work every step of the way! I praise God for the opportunity to test my faith! Love, Rachel
Maria, I’m so thankful for your willingness to share and your incredible ability to do it in such an awesome way. I am always encouraged, and learning as I read and I’m so grateful for all that you do! Love, Mary
Thank you, Maria, for all your thoughts that you have shared so diligently over the past weeks! They are truly a blessing and inspiration to me! Often they are convicting to me, but that's what I need. Thank you for allowing our God to use you in this way. - Terrie
