Every time I read one of Paul's books in the Bible I am just blown away. He wrote 13 books of the New Testament. He traveled more than 10,000 miles planting churches, by foot or by boat. He was shipwrecked three times, was set adrift at sea, beaten, stoned and locked away in prisons.
Before he was converted, he passionately persecuted the early Christians. Paul met a bright light on his way to arrest Christians in Damascus. He heard Christ speak, was blinded and later healed by Ananias. He was baptized and immediately began preaching that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God. His passion was shifted from being a Christian persecutor to Christian professor. God took his evil life and made it for good.
Paul's strong background in Jewish education under one of the finest teachers available, Gamaliel, became a huge benefit to him when he met Jesus. Once he was converted to Christianity by Christ himself, he was never the same. His life was lived for Jesus and for spreading the Good News, especially to the Gentiles, who were once considered by the Jews to be unacceptable to God. Paul dedicated much of his life to assuring the Gentiles they were worthy.
No matter what sin lies in our personal histories, God can and will use our faithful-selves for His holy purpose.
"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith," (2 Thessalonians 1:11 NIV).
Oh, God and Father of us all, thank You for touching each of us, like Paul, with Your calling. Help us see clearly our purpose during this time and place. Use Your power to work Your good purpose through every action we take according to our faith in You. Praying in Jesus' name, Amen.
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