“Praise the Lord!

Sing to the Lord a new song,

    his praise in the assembly of the godly! 

Let Israel be glad in his Maker;

    let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!

Let them praise his name with dancing,

    making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! 

For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;

    he adorns the humble with salvation.

Let the godly exult in glory;

    let them sing for joy on their beds.

Let the high praises of God be in their throats

    and two-edged swords in their hands,

to execute vengeance on the nations

    and punishments on the peoples,

to bind their kings with chains

    and their nobles with fetters of iron, 

to execute on them the judgment written!

    This is honor for all his godly ones.

Praise the Lord!” Psalm 149:1-9

Make Music to Him (Psalm 149)

I have an amazing niece who had an interesting request for Christmas last year – she wanted a real (not toy) tambourine. When we asked her why, she replied matter-of-factly, “To praise the Lord!” Oh, if we were all a little more like her! 

If you haven’t known me long, you may not know that I lead worship at my church with my husband who is a worship arts pastor. My daughter is a singer on our worship team, and when my son is not at college, he plays the keyboard for us. Obviously, music and worship is a big part of our lives, yet I still forget to rejoice and make music to God. 

Stir Up the Joy

I forget the importance of stirring up joy inside myself at the thought of God’s attributes and His gifts and mercies to me. I don’t remember to be consistently thankful and filled with delight during my daily life. Instead, I get wrapped up in the day-to-day responsibilities. I am often consumed with my to-do list and go about sighing with the weight of all that has yet to be accomplished. 

Called to Rejoice

However, we are called to rejoice! 

“Praise the Lord!

Sing to the Lord a new song,

    his praise in the assembly of the godly! 

Let Israel be glad in his Maker;

    let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!

Let them praise his name with dancing,

    making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!” Psalm 149:1-3

This Psalm uses words like “rejoice”, “be glad”, “exult”, and “sing for joy”. We are supposed to be finding our joy not in the things of this world, but in the God who created them. Not in the people around us but in the One who fashioned them and brought them into our lives. We are to turn our thoughts to Him and be spurred on to “Praise the Lord!” 

Why should we be glad?

Why? Because He finds joy in us – His creation! 

“For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;

    he adorns the humble with salvation.” Psalm 149:4

God “takes pleasure” in us! Wow! Think about that. We routinely disregard Him, put other things above Him in priority, and sin against Him, and yet, He still delights in us! That alone should make us be glad!

Action Step:

Turn on some worship music, put a smile on your face, and get up! Sing and dance with joy to the Lord! If you play an instrument (like my niece with her tambourine), play it with gladness in your Creator! Let’s sprinkle moments of rejoicing in God throughout our day, each day this week! Even if it is singing in the car (or the shower) at the top of our lungs, dancing a short jig on the way through an empty hallway, or pausing in the middle of everything to tell God how much you enjoy Him for who He is… let’s begin to build a habit of making music to Him in our spirits!

Prayer:

Dear God, Thank you for finding joy in us even when we do not deserve it. Help me to remember to find my joy in You every single day! Remind me to take those moments to enjoy who You are and be glad in You. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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“I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.” Philippians 4:2-3

Unity in the Lord (Euodia and Syntyche): Philippians 4:2-3

Sometimes, I think we view the early church through rose-colored glasses, thinking that everything was great between believers, while church life nowadays is often messy and fraught with conflict. However, in Philippians 4:2-3, Paul gives us a little glimpse into the life of the church at Philippi in its less than perfect moments. 

Faithful women in conflict

Euodia and Syntyche are faithful women in the church. They have been laboring along with Paul and the other ministers to spread the Gospel. Obviously, they are having trouble agreeing on something. This conflict between the two women has grown bad enough for Paul to address it in his letter to the church. 

Come into agreement

He desperately wants the two women to come into unity in the Lord. He even asks his “true companion” to help them come into agreement.

Paul seems to want this unity for the sake of the church as a whole. However, he also wants to protect the testimonies of these women. They have done so much good in the past and are destroying their reputations through their conflict. Also, the reputation of the church in the community could be damaged by a lack of unity and love between Christians in the church. After all, Jesus Himself said:

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13: 35

Bring it Home

God calls us to be a part of our local churches, serving the body of Christ and spreading the Gospel. We are  supposed to be the love of God on display for our communities. They should look at our unity and love for one another and know that we are followers of Jesus. 

ACTION STEP:

Do we live in agreement and unity with the people in our churches? Are we helping others resolve conflict and love one another or do we perpetuate problems between our fellow believers? How can we facilitate a spirit of agreement, unity, and peace in our own circles of believers? Find a tangible way today to reach out and bring unity to the body of Christ today. 

Please post your thoughts and pics under the Unity in the Lord post in the Facebook group @DevoInAction (https://www.facebook.com/devoinaction) or post on Instagram and tag me @devoinaction! 

PRAYER:

Dear God, help us to be agents of Your peace, living in unity with other believers. Bring us into agreement with one another. Help us to refrain from gossip and instead help others agree.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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“But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

The Death of Joseph

So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father’s house. Joseph lived 110 years. And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation. The children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were counted as Joseph’s own. And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.” Genesis 50:19-26

Framing Life like Joseph

Joseph’s story is a long and fascinating one that spans chapters thirty-seven through fifty in Genesis. He made many very admirable choices, but he also endured persecution, betrayal, unfounded accusations, jail time, and more. Our focus scripture is about the end of his life, as he transitioned from running his spiritual race on earth to being one of those witnesses in heaven, cheering us on.

Joseph’s perspective on the events of his life is remarkable. I have met so many people who have experienced hard times and developed bitter views on life or resentful attitudes toward those they believe are responsible. 

Looking at life through God’s perspective

However, Joseph can look back on his life with a Kingdom perspective, seeing the good that came out of his personal pain, and forgiving those who caused his hardships. 

“But Joseph said to them [his brothers], “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” Genesis 50:19-21

He could have folded in on himself in anger and bitterness, but he chose to see his circumstances in light of what God was working on in his life. Joseph’s choice helped heal his family, protected the entire Israelite line and provided for their future. 

The End of Joseph’s Life

Joseph lived to see his descendants to the fourth generation before he died. He got to see his family live and thrive in the best part of the land while in Egypt. However, when he was about to die, he reminded his family that God would bring the Israelites out of Egypt and back to the land that God had given them. 

He makes them promise to bring his bones with them and bury them in the promised land when they go. Even in death, he secures a place among his people in the promised land and an inheritance for his descendants. And it happens! It is recorded in the book of Joshua after Joshua brings God’s people into the promised land.

“As for the bones of Joseph, which the people of Israel brought up from Egypt, they buried them at Shechem, in the piece of land that Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money. It became an inheritance of the descendants of Joseph.” Joshua 24:32

Framing Life like Joseph

Like in Joseph’s life, God’s perspective can help us frame our circumstances with a view to how God is at work in our lives. We can see how He is working all things for the good. 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

ACTION STEP:

How do you see your life today? Are you focused on the painful events and struggles or are you viewing your circumstances through the lens of God’s faithfulness to keep His promises? He can and will work through our pain to bring about eternal purposes and good results. We may not be able to see it in the moment, but He is already at work. This week, let’s work to find God at work in our lives and frame our view with His perspective.

Please post your thoughts and pics under Week 9 in the Facebook group @DevoInAction (https://www.facebook.com/devoinaction) or post on Instagram and tag me @devoinaction! 

 #diawitnesses

PRAYER:

Dear God, Thank you that you are at work even in the most difficult times of our lives. Help us to see the good that you are working to bring about and trust your faithfulness at all times. We choose your perspective today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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“One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side” John 13:23

John the Best Friend

One of Jesus’ inner circle of disciples, John is called the disciple that Jesus loved. I mean, this guy was probably Jesus’ best friend on earth! Wow! How cool is that?!? 

John is an interesting character. One of the sons of a man named Zebedee, John was a fisherman as a part of his family business along with his brother James when Jesus called them both to follow Him.

“And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.” Mark 1:19-20  

Sons of Thunder

Jesus even had a nickname for these brothers. He called James and John “Boanerges”, which means “Sons of Thunder.” (Mark 3:17) These brothers seem like men of action and passion. They are confident and unafraid to go after what they want. 

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Mark 10:35-37

Great trust and affection

John obviously overstepped sometimes. However, he also definitely had the affection and trust of Jesus. While Jesus was on the cross, John is the disciple to whom Jesus entrusts his own mother Mary. 

“but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” John 19:25-27

Author and Prophet

John is traditionally attributed authorship of John, 1-3 John, and Revelation in the New Testament. He wrote a gospel account of the life of Jesus, three letters to early church believers, and an end of times prophecy that also includes instructions to seven churches. 

John’s focus in his letters to the believers of the early church is interesting. He was called the disciple whom Jesus loved, and the heart of his instruction centers on love. 

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4:7-12

The person who was the closest to the Savior while He was on earth sees Jesus as Love Incarnate. And that Love prompts him, as it should us, to love others. One of the ways that John showed love to others was in the care that he gave to Mary. He took the mother of Jesus into his home and provided for her.

ACTION STEP:

What ways can we show love for others this week? Today? Are there specific, tangible things we can do to share the love of Jesus with those around us? Does the loving relationship we have with our Savior prompt us to love one another?

Please post your thoughts and pics under Week 8 in the Facebook group @DevoInAction (https://www.facebook.com/devoinaction) or post on Instagram and tag me @devoinaction! 

 #diawitnesses

PRAYER:

Dear God, Let Your Love for us prompt us to love others. Show us the ways in which we can display your love to those in our lives. Help us to love like you do this week. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.” Philippians 2:19-24

The Proven Worth of Timothy

Paul had several traveling companions as he planted and ministered to churches throughout the known world. Timothy was like a son to Paul. Paul mentored him as they traveled together and strengthened the churches together. 

“Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.” Acts 16:1-5

An Impressive Young Man

Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman and her Greek husband, probably experienced discrimination and prejudice throughout his life. He didn’t quite fit in either culture. Yet, he had a good reputation among the Christians. Paul meets Timothy and is so impressed by this young man that he invites Timothy to travel and evangelize with him. 

Timothy trains with Paul and learns from him during all their travels. They minister to many groups of believers. Paul leaves Timothy in charge of the church at Ephesus because they need guidance. In fact, we get two of the epistles in the New Testament (1 and 2 Timothy) while Timothy is governing the Ephesian church. 

Paul’s Opinion of Timothy

Multiple times in several different New Testament books, Paul calls Timothy his true son in the faith. 

“But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.” Philippians 2:22

After spending a ton of time with Timothy, Paul is still extremely impressed by Timothy. He has proven himself as reliable, trustworthy, and righteous. When he needs someone that absolutely will not let him down, he entrusts the job to Timothy. 

ACTION STEP:

Are we as trustworthy as Timothy? Can people rely on us to do what is right no matter what? Can God trust us to speak the truth in love in all situations? Do we seek the interests of Jesus above our own? How can we be people who can be relied on this week?

Please post your thoughts and pics under Week 7 in the Facebook group @DevoInAction (https://www.facebook.com/devoinaction) or post on Instagram and tag me @devoinaction! 

 #diawitnesses

PRAYER:

Dear God, Show us how to be trustworthy like Timothy. Open our eyes to see what might be keeping us from having a reputation like Timothy’s. Enable us to seek Your purposes and interests above our own. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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“But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. The Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the Lord gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. And his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. So the land had rest forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.” Judges 3:9-11

Othniel, the Deliverer

The people of Israel have been making terrible decisions and reaping the consequences. They abandoned God and started serving false gods and worshiping idols. God allows them to experience defeat the hands of their enemies and bondage. Their suffering causes them to rethink their situation. They cry out to the Lord and He actually comes to their defense.

What?!?

I am so grateful that God is so much more merciful and compassionate than I am. I would not have been so quick to respond to the Israelites’ cries for help. But God is so much more gracious than I am. When the people cry out for help in their suffering, God raises up Caleb’s nephew Othniel.

The Spirit of the Lord upon Othniel

The Lord raises up Othniel as the deliverer and first major judge of Israel. God’s Spirit is upon him, enabling him to dispense wisdom and lead militarily. God gives Othniel and the Israelite army victory over their enemies. God brings peace to the land for forty years while Othniel is judge over the nation. 

Who was Othniel?

We only hear details about Othniel in one other instance in Scripture:

“And Caleb said, “Whoever strikes Kiriath-sepher and captures it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter as wife.” And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, captured it. And he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife. When she came to him, she urged him to ask her father for a field. And she got off her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water.” And he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.” Joshua 15:16-19

We may not have a lot of text about Othniel, but I think this short passage gives us some insight into his character. Othniel sees the opportunity and instead of focusing on all the reasons that he may not be successful, he takes action. He reaps the benefits of Caleb’s daughter Achsah as his wife and an inheritance of land. His wife attains an additional blessing for both of them, gaining the upper and lower springs – valuable water sources in a desert land. 

A Man God Can Use

God knows that when He calls and empowers Othniel, this man will step up and do what needs to be done. This man of action with the Spirit of the Lord upon him is exactly what Israel needs in this moment. Othniel will be a man God can use.

ACTION STEP:

Let’s take a few moments to see how we could be a little more like Othniel. Do we take action right away when the Spirit leads us to do something? Or, do we find reasons why we are not equipped or not ready or just plain can’t? Are we ready to listen to the leading of God’s Spirit? Are the circumstances around us causing us to turn to God and be used by Him or are they causing us to panic and worry? What can we take action on today, right now?

Please post your thoughts and pics under Week 6 in the Facebook group @DevoInAction (https://www.facebook.com/devoinaction) or post on Instagram and tag me @devoinaction! 

 #diawitnesses

PRAYER:

Dear God, Thank you for so many different heroes of the faith throughout the Bible from whom we can learn. Show us how we can take action for Your purposes this week. Help us to hear the call of Your Spirit and respond immediately. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
    according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation

    that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.”

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:25-35

Simeon Sees

According to the Law, when Jesus was 40 days old, his parents had to present him at the temple in Jerusalem, along with the proper sacrifices, because he was the firstborn son. When the young family arrives at the temple, they encounter a very special old man, Simeon.

Simeon had lived his life as a devout Jew. The Bible describes him as righteous and says that the Holy Spirit was upon him. He has been waiting and looking for the Messiah his entire adult life. He must have had a really unique relationship with the Holy Spirit, because it actually says that the Holy Spirit tells Simeon that he will see the Christ before he dies. 

Simeon Recognizes

I think that there are a couple reasons why Simeon recognizes Jesus as the Messiah. 

1. He is expectantly watching for the Messiah. It is difficult to see something when you are not looking for it. 
2. He is in the right place at the right time because he is “in the Spirit” before he ever gets to the temple. Simeon’s spiritual ears were listening, and he was allowing the Holy Spirit to direct his steps.

He takes the baby Jesus into his arms to bless the child and recognizes the boy as the long-awaited Messiah. I imagine that Simeon is filled with joy as he sees and recognizes the fulfillment of generations of hopes and expectations. 

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
    according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation

    that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32

Simeon Prophesies

The Holy Spirit speaks through Simeon, identifying Jesus as God’s salvation, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, a light for glory to the Israelites. Then, he prophesies:

“Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:34b-35

Joseph and Mary are astounded at the words of this man of God, who is a stranger to them. 

ACTION STEP:

Could someone describe me as devout, righteous, and having the Holy Spirit upon me? Am I actively watching for what God is doing around me? Am I listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit to direct my steps, like Simeon did? Take some time this week to examine your receptiveness to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

Please post your thoughts and pics under Week 5 in the Facebook group @DevoInAction (https://www.facebook.com/devoinaction) or post on Instagram and tag me @devoinaction! 

 #diawitnesses

PRAYER:

Dear God, Help us to be like Simeon. Holy Spirit, rest on us and in us. Help us to follow your leading and direction. Give us eyes to see where you are at work around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.” Ruth 2:8-9

Boaz, the Ordinary Witness 

Ever thought that Biblical heroes just had more opportunities to do amazing things for God than we do now? I mean, how often are we anointed to be a judge or king over a nation, put into a position to interpret a ruler’s dream,  need to build a big boat to save humanity and all the animals, etc.? This week’s witness was an ordinary businessman. 

Boaz was an unmarried landowner and businessman when he enters the Biblical narrative. In fact, Boaz’s story is often overshadowed by the stories of the women who came into his life. Even the book he is featured in is called Ruth (I recommend reading through this quick book. It is only four chapters and it is one of my favorites!)! However, Boaz is an incredible Biblical example of how living a righteous life of integrity can bring about amazing results in the purposes of God. 

The Protector

Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi return to Naomi’s home in Israel after the death of their husbands in Moab. Ruth has to go out to the fields with the poor beggars and glean the dropped the grain behind the workers in the field. In the fields of some men, Ruth would not have been safe from the men working or the landowner. However, Boaz makes sure that Ruth will be safe and protected as well as provided for while gleaning in his fields. 

Integrity

Ruth and Boaz find out that he is actually a relative of Naomi’s and it is his family right to marry Ruth and assume the inheritance of Naomi’s family. Every step of the way, Boaz acts with integrity, even going so far as to offer Ruth and the inheritance to a closer relative who does not want to marry her. Boaz ends up marrying Ruth, treating her with respect and honor all throughout their relationship. They have a son, Obed, who is the father of Jesse, the grandfather of King David, and an ancestor of Jesus the Messiah.

ACTION STEP:

You may be thinking: “Boaz’s story is great, but he probably had a perfect childhood and all the breaks went his way. He was set up for success, so he just naturally became this righteous example.” Actually, Boaz was the son of Rahab, the prostitute who helped the spies when the Israelites entered the land of Canaan. She was a foreigner who lived among the Israelites, married one, and lived as an Israelite wife and mother. Boaz probably suffered some bullying, ridicule, and mistreatment because of who his mother was. Yet, he overcame how others viewed his background and grew into the man of integrity we read about today. 

Is there something in your past that you feel has disqualified you from being a hero of the faith? Do you feel that you are not special enough to do great things for God? This week’s action step is to surrender those feelings to God and realize that He wants you to live the life He put in front of you in order to bring glory to God!

Please post your thoughts and pics under Week 4 in the Facebook group @DevoInAction (https://www.facebook.com/devoinaction) or post on Instagram and tag me @devoinaction!  #diawitnesses

PRAYER:

Dear God, We may not feel special, but thank You for using us anyway. Help us to see ourselves the way that You see us. Help us to live our ordinary lives with Jesus at the center. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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The post Witnesses Week 4: Boaz (Ruth 2:8-9) appeared first on Devotion in Action.

Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Acts 9:3-9

Paul’s Passionate Personality

This week’s witness was, and still is, one of the most influential early Christians! His name in Hebrew was Saul, while the Greek version is pronounced Paul (Both versions are used in the Bible). He was a very passionate person. During the days of the early church after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, Saul was not a disciple of Jesus. In fact, he was the opposite. Saul was ardently persecuting the early church members. 

Saul was hunting down Christians and having them killed. The Bible even records in Acts chapter six that the pharisees that stoned Stephen laid their garments at the feet of the young man Saul. His faith was whole-hearted, but misdirected.

God gets Saul’s attention

God interrupts Saul’s life in a dramatic fashion because He has big plans for this passionate man of faith. While Saul is traveling along a road, a bright light and a voice from heaven confront him. He leaves the encounter naturally blind, but beginning to have his spiritual eyes opened. 

Ananias, God’s Plan to Help Saul

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” Acts 9:10-20

Saul is still as passionate as ever, but now he is actively spreading the news about Jesus the Messiah. Saul/Paul will go on to pen a large portion of the New Testament, in addition to planting churches all around the known world. 

Disclaimer: If you go on to read Saul’s story in the Bible, you will realize that God getting him off the path of persecution and onto apostle avenue did not mean that his life went smoothly ever after. He experienced persecution himself, was in shipwrecks, bitten by snakes, arrested, imprisoned, was sick, and more. Bad circumstances are not an indication that you are doing something wrong. Sometimes you are exactly where God wants you and still bad things happen. Paul’s bad experiences opened doors for sharing the gospel that he never would have had with a comfortable life. God turned the bad for good purposes. 

ACTION STEP:

God used Saul’s naturally passionate personality to accomplish His purposes in the early church. Have you submitted your gifts, skills, personality, and talents to God to be used for His glory? We all have unique traits and giftings that God created in us. Our Creator loves to see us using the gifts He has given us. This week, ask Him to reveal how to use your special quirks and qualities to further HIS plans.

Please post your thoughts and pics under Week 3 in the Facebook group @DevoInAction (https://www.facebook.com/devoinaction) or post on Instagram and tag me @devoinaction!  #diawitnesses

PRAYER:

Dear God, Show us how to bring glory to you with our personality traits, skills, and talents. If we don’t know what they are, open our eyes to how you have uniquely created us to play a role in Your big plan. Give us the courage to say yes to Your purposes instead of just following what we want. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Check out the video on YouTube:

Don’t miss out on all the freebies!

For access to the free printables to use in Bible art journaling, click here: https://www.devotioninaction.com/resourcelibrary/

If you don’t have access yet to the Resource Library, find out how to get free access HERE!

The post Witnesses Week 3: Paul (Acts 9:3-20) appeared first on Devotion in Action.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Genesis 12:1-4

The Immediate Obedience of Abram

Abram, who would later be renamed Abraham, was a remarkable individual. I mean, imagine how we would respond today. God tells him to leave his home and everything he knows and go to a land “that I will show you.” Abram doesn’t even get to know where he is headed when he packs up his household and leave all that is familiar. All he has is an instruction and a promise of blessing. And, he goes! He does exactly what the Lord told him to. 

Age Does Not Disqualify

Abram is seventy-five years old when he is called by God for the first time. Seventy-five! We tend to think of seventy-five as near the end of our lives, but Abram’s story is just starting. Now, we have to grant that in that time, in general, people lived a lot longer than they do now. Abram was in the middle of his life at this point. Even that is impressive. At middle age, we tend to be settled and established. I don’t know how many of us would uproot our whole lives in our late thirties or forties to go somewhere, not knowing where we were taking our families. This is extreme and immediate obedience, and God loves that kind of response from His people. 

The Blessing

God promises blessings on Abram, his descendants, and the entire world through his family. Wow! That is an amazing blessing, but it is also very vague. God doesn’t lay out a timeline or specific steps or even how Abram will be blessed. In fact, Abram doesn’t even see the fulfillment of God’s promise during his long lifetime. However, God does not forget His promise. It all comes true! 

The Ultimate Promise Fulfillment

All the families of the earth are blessed through the line of Abram. Jesus, the Messiah, the descendant of Abram, brings the blessing of forgiveness for our sins and reconciliation to God the Father and makes this blessing available to the families of the entire world. 

ACTION STEP:

I don’t know about any of you, but I want all the blessings that God has for me! I want to increase my willingness to obey immediately no matter what God asks of me. Is there anything God has been asking you to do that you have been dragging your feet on? Maybe God did not say to pack up and move. Perhaps He told you to forgive someone, show kindness to an enemy, help the poor, etc. Take action today on what you have already been told to do.

Post your thoughts and pics under Week 2 in the Facebook group @DevoInAction (https://www.facebook.com/devoinaction) or post on Instagram and tag me @devoinaction! #diawitnesses

PRAYER:

Dear God, Help us to learn from the example of Abram, obeying immediately when God calls us to do something. Prompt our hearts to see the areas we need to obey in today. Give us courage to respond. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Check out the video on YouTube:

Don’t miss out on all the freebies!

For access to the free printables to use in Bible art journaling, click here: https://www.devotioninaction.com/resourcelibrary/

If you don’t have access yet to the Resource Library, find out how to get free access HERE!

The post Witnesses Week 2: Abram (Genesis 12:1-4) appeared first on Devotion in Action.