November 16, 2019

November 16

Running with Jesus  

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

      I had to focus on the ending of this verse today. Did you see what Paul said he testified of? The gospel of GRACE!  Who would know more about grace than converted Saul to Paul!

     Grace is the free and unmerited favor of God. The usual acrostic is God's riches at Christ expense. Paul was a devout Jew educated by the best in Judaism, dragged Christians out and  arrested them, and had them killed for sharing Christ. God chose to use this converted man to train and disciple Christians for hundreds of years by writing our power books in the Bible! God gave him grace and he birthed more churches in the known world and did more for the Christian faith. Paul was so humbled by the grace of God, who looked beyond his faults and saw his potential. All the energy Paul used against Christ was now used to form, encourage, and build up the body of Christ.

     Paul through his power book Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians made a huge impact on the growth in my walk. In Galatians I learned I am free from the law and learned to walk by faith. In Ephesians six I learned about the battle we are in the spirit realm not flesh and blood. In Philippians I learned to have joy in the Lord not my circumstances and lastly in Colossians I learned Christians have all we need in Christ and to let the Word of God dwell in me richly teaching and admonishing others. I learned from Paul how to walk and run by the Grace of God that is a Faith walk, you can have the same grace to change your life.

Pray this prayer:  Father, I know I am a sinner and deserve to die. For the first time I understand You love me and have never given up on me. I ask for Your forgiveness and I want to receive You as my Lord and Savior today, come into my heart and save me. Give me the grace You told about in Your Word, do Your work in me. 

     My prayer is if you found Christ today let someone know it! He tells us if we don't confess Him before man He will not confess us before the Father. Then you should be baptized as Jesus tells us to be united with a local Bible teaching church so you can grow in your faith by running with Jesus. 

Tomorrow: Paul is leaving one of his churches, let's go see him off!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015