Christian Daily Word (10)
[b]Daily Word for Christians...Here's the scripture to meditate on![/b]
[b]1 Timothy 1:13 (NLT)
[/b]"Even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief."
[b]Analysis of the Daily Word[/b]
Before becoming a disciple of Christ, the apostle Paul, then known as Saul, was a brash young man who persecuted the followers of Jesus. [b](Acts 7:58)[/b] Yet, Jesus himself spoke to him from heaven, blinding him and stopping him from attacking the Christian congregation of the first century. To gain his sight back, Paul had to turn to the very people he had persecuted. He was humble and accepted the help of a disciple named Ananias, who restored his sight. [b](Acts 9:3-9, 17, and 18)[/b]
Later, Paul became a prominent member of the Christian congregation, but he never forgot the lesson that Jesus taught him when he spoke to him from heaven on the road to Damascus. He kept a humble attitude and willingly accepted help from his brothers and sisters. He acknowledged that they had greatly helped and strengthened him. [b](Colossians 4:10, and 11)[/b]
[b]What did Paul think of the things he had given up? Why did Paul say that he rejoiced in having weaknesses?[/b]
Paul willingly gave up the things that made him powerful from the standpoint of this world. In fact, he went so far as to call those apparent advantages [b]"a load of rubbish"[/b]. [b](Philippians 3:8)[/b] Of course, he had to pay a price for becoming a follower of Christ. His own nation came to hate him and the Romans, who were his fellow citizens, beat him and put him in prison. [b](Acts 23:12-14 | Acts 16:19-24, and 37)[/b] Furthermore, it pained him greatly to be aware of his own limitations...but he never let his enemies or his weaknesses stop him. [b](Romans 7:21-25)[/b] Rather, he said, [b]"I'm glad I have weaknesses."[/b] Why? It was because when he felt weak, he saw how much the power of God helped him. [b](2 Corinthians 4:7 | 12:10)[/b]
[b]How should we view any supposed disadvantage we have?[/b]
If we want God to grant us his power, we must not think our personal worth depends on our physical strength, education, culture, or material possessions. This is not what makes us useful in God's eyes. In fact, among God's people [b]"there are not many wise from a human point of view, nor many mighty, nor many of noble birth."[/b] However, God has decided to use [b]"the weak things of the world."[/b] [b](1 Corinthians 1:26, and 27)[/b] Therefore, let us not see any supposed disadvantage as an obstacle to serving God, but as an opportunity to see how he helps us with his power. For example, if someone tries to make us doubt our beliefs and we feel intimidated, let us pray for courage to defend our faith. [b](Ephesians 6:19, and 20)[/b] If we are struggling with some kind of chronic disease, let us ask God for the strength to continue doing all we can in his service.
Every time we feel help from him, our faith increases and we become stronger followers of God and Christ!
[b]1 Timothy 1:13 (NLT)
[/b]"Even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief."
[b]Analysis of the Daily Word[/b]
Before becoming a disciple of Christ, the apostle Paul, then known as Saul, was a brash young man who persecuted the followers of Jesus. [b](Acts 7:58)[/b] Yet, Jesus himself spoke to him from heaven, blinding him and stopping him from attacking the Christian congregation of the first century. To gain his sight back, Paul had to turn to the very people he had persecuted. He was humble and accepted the help of a disciple named Ananias, who restored his sight. [b](Acts 9:3-9, 17, and 18)[/b]
Later, Paul became a prominent member of the Christian congregation, but he never forgot the lesson that Jesus taught him when he spoke to him from heaven on the road to Damascus. He kept a humble attitude and willingly accepted help from his brothers and sisters. He acknowledged that they had greatly helped and strengthened him. [b](Colossians 4:10, and 11)[/b]
[b]What did Paul think of the things he had given up? Why did Paul say that he rejoiced in having weaknesses?[/b]
Paul willingly gave up the things that made him powerful from the standpoint of this world. In fact, he went so far as to call those apparent advantages [b]"a load of rubbish"[/b]. [b](Philippians 3:8)[/b] Of course, he had to pay a price for becoming a follower of Christ. His own nation came to hate him and the Romans, who were his fellow citizens, beat him and put him in prison. [b](Acts 23:12-14 | Acts 16:19-24, and 37)[/b] Furthermore, it pained him greatly to be aware of his own limitations...but he never let his enemies or his weaknesses stop him. [b](Romans 7:21-25)[/b] Rather, he said, [b]"I'm glad I have weaknesses."[/b] Why? It was because when he felt weak, he saw how much the power of God helped him. [b](2 Corinthians 4:7 | 12:10)[/b]
[b]How should we view any supposed disadvantage we have?[/b]
If we want God to grant us his power, we must not think our personal worth depends on our physical strength, education, culture, or material possessions. This is not what makes us useful in God's eyes. In fact, among God's people [b]"there are not many wise from a human point of view, nor many mighty, nor many of noble birth."[/b] However, God has decided to use [b]"the weak things of the world."[/b] [b](1 Corinthians 1:26, and 27)[/b] Therefore, let us not see any supposed disadvantage as an obstacle to serving God, but as an opportunity to see how he helps us with his power. For example, if someone tries to make us doubt our beliefs and we feel intimidated, let us pray for courage to defend our faith. [b](Ephesians 6:19, and 20)[/b] If we are struggling with some kind of chronic disease, let us ask God for the strength to continue doing all we can in his service.
Every time we feel help from him, our faith increases and we become stronger followers of God and Christ!
22-25, M
