READ: Acts 9:1-6
Saul was on his way to do what he thought was right. He believed he was pleasing God by persecuting these “heretics” of the Jewish faith. He had no idea what was in store for him. He was so obsessed with his own agenda and doing his own thing, that he completely missed the Messiah, the person whom he was waiting for his whole life. We can identify with Saul. We can get so caught up in our own busyness, our own idea of what is pleasing to God, and our own wants, that we can completely miss what God is doing in us and around us. God may need to drastically intervene in your life to wake you up to the way He is moving.
PRAY: God, please wake me up to see how You are Advancing your Kingdom around me.
READ: 2 Corinthians 4:1-11
Paul makes it clear that he is merely a servant of Christ. Later in the text, Paul reiterates that we are simply messengers, that the real treasure is the power of God, not our power. This passage is a reminder that we are God’s humble servants. When we advance, it is not about us, but it is about showing the light of Christ and His power. We can see that Christ’s death and resurrection were the perfect example of humility while advancing God’s will. Are we following and living out this example of humility, pointing others to the light of Jesus? Or are we allowing our own pride or the hard circumstances around us to choke the message God wants to advance through us?
PRAY: Lord, I want to be a humble servant for You and not live only for myself.
READ: 2 Corinthians 11:22-33
Few of us can compare to the hardships that Paul had gone through. He was literally beaten by others in his physical body, and he suffered under the emotional weight of betrayal, hurt, and the responsibilities of the churches he had planted. We may think, “How could he have gone through all of that yet remain joyful?” This is a good question, and the answer to this question points to a great truth. Paul was not focused on himself, but on Christ and on advancing His mission. It sounds so basic, but the basic truth applies deeply in our suffering. So often we are afraid to step out in faith because of the potential sufferings that will come our way. When you are fixated on Christ, no amount of suffering will be able to steal your joy.
PRAY: Lord, help me to be “All In” for You and not concerned with my own comforts and pleasures.
READ: Acts 9:20-31
Saul wastes no time proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus. The Jews were not happy about this new message. They were so unhappy that they tried to kill him. This wouldn’t stop Saul. He heart was changed and his mission was to tell others about Jesus. Nothing was going to stop him now. Despite opposition, Saul would risk his life to preach this message. Saul was living for his heavenly home. Are we making bold decisions for Christ, knowing that heaven is our ultimate home? Or are we holding on with fear to our earthly home? There is a cost to fearless obedience, but the cost cannot compare to what is awaiting us in Heaven when we obey.
PRAY: Lord, I want to live with a Heavenly perspective and not an earthy one.
READ: Philippians 3:7-14
Paul had a pretty good life. He was well known, educated, and had an excellent reputation of righteousness. However, once Christ came into his life, he considered all of these things as dung. Paul was relying on the external things to win his own righteousness. It was Christ who showed Him that it is only through Him that Paul could attain righteousness. As a result, Paul left everything behind and pressed on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. When Christ is in your life, there is nothing not worth giving up in order to please Him and worship Him. What are you clinging to?
PRAY: God, please make Yourself everything to me and help me let go of my earthly things.
READ: Colossians 3:1-4
What is your mind set on? Is your mind set on the next season of your life? Your promotion, your kids, that conflict or struggle? In the text it says to set your minds on things above where Christ is. When we become so fixated on the temporary things of this life, we become discouraged and downtrodden. Yet, somehow we think the solution is to become more fixated on the things of the world. Friend, the only way to live a joyful life in Christ is to die to the world and be alive to and in Christ. Won’t you commit to setting your mind on things above, Heavenly things? How many times does this world have to disappoint you for you to know it is only Jesus?
PRAY: Jesus, I set my mind on You and not on earthly things!