As I prepared for this morning's North Florida Writer Live Sunday devotional, I wanted to find a man of courage who would be of great inspiration to we Christians in America as we face increased harassment and persecution for our beliefs. No one better exemplifies the courage and commitment that is expected of us than the Apostle Paul. He also provides a superb example of how the grace and love of Jesus Christ can turn the most horrific of sinners into a true man of God.
Following his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul became one of the true greats of the early church. Having a strong background in Judaism and the Law of the Old Testament (he was taught be Gamaliel), Paul became a principal traveling missionary for Christ, covering the lands north and west of Israel and touching the hearts of not just Jews, but principally to Gentiles as well. He fully committed his life to the conversion of sinners to the Way, the Truth and the Life and ultimately gave his life for the cause in Rome.
But during his missionary stage, he profoundly impacted Syrians, those from his home region of Asia Minor (he was, after all, from Tarsus originally), the Greeks, Macedonians and even the heart of Rome itself. He was not an imposing man, but he had the Spirit so strongly held that the truth in his words could not be denied by those who were seeking a better world. And he was willing to suffer jailing, beatings, even stoning along the way, never flinching from what he knew was the only way to salvation.
I hope you will consider tuning in; the devotional is available on demand and also includes some appropriate music. Here's the link:
tobtr.com/s/7765897
To accompany my remarks I used the great hymn, Onward Christian Soldiers. Never in America has it been as important as today to stand up in God's full body armor and proclaim that Jesus Christ is alive and will return, for He is our ultimate Redeemer. God bless you all.
Following his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul became one of the true greats of the early church. Having a strong background in Judaism and the Law of the Old Testament (he was taught be Gamaliel), Paul became a principal traveling missionary for Christ, covering the lands north and west of Israel and touching the hearts of not just Jews, but principally to Gentiles as well. He fully committed his life to the conversion of sinners to the Way, the Truth and the Life and ultimately gave his life for the cause in Rome.
But during his missionary stage, he profoundly impacted Syrians, those from his home region of Asia Minor (he was, after all, from Tarsus originally), the Greeks, Macedonians and even the heart of Rome itself. He was not an imposing man, but he had the Spirit so strongly held that the truth in his words could not be denied by those who were seeking a better world. And he was willing to suffer jailing, beatings, even stoning along the way, never flinching from what he knew was the only way to salvation.
I hope you will consider tuning in; the devotional is available on demand and also includes some appropriate music. Here's the link:
tobtr.com/s/7765897
To accompany my remarks I used the great hymn, Onward Christian Soldiers. Never in America has it been as important as today to stand up in God's full body armor and proclaim that Jesus Christ is alive and will return, for He is our ultimate Redeemer. God bless you all.
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