The blinding of Paul‘s eyes was a physical manifestation of his innerspiritual state. He was spiritually blind to the truth of God and lost inhis self-righteousness. - P90
But now that God opened hisboth physicaland spiritual, he can clearly see that Jesus Christ is his Savior. God usedAnanias to explain the message of the gospel to Paul and clarify thenew mission God had given him. Since that moment, Paul has been awitness for Christ. - P90
We have all had a similar turning point where oureyes were opened to the salvation of Christ. - P90
Let us therefore live aswitnesses for Jesus, testifying to the great work He has done in our livesto everyone we encounter. - P90
In his letter to this church, theapostle Paul used an analogy from farming to help the saints under-stand the different roles each person is called to play in gospel minis-Some sow the seeds, others water, and others weed, but it is Godwho causes the plant to grow (1 Cor. 3). This simple illustration helpsus understand that we are coworkers with the sovereign God. - P91
God is sufficient in Himself and can accomplish all that He wants todo without our input. But He has lovingly called us to participate inHis plan of redemption. - P91
He has given each one of us different gifts toenable us to fulfill our calling. He has also placed us in unique con-texts in which we are to serve Him. - P91
That is why it is foolish to compareourselves with fellow believers. God has called us to live for Him aloneand not to build our own empires. - P91
Whatever we do in the kingdomof God, all of it is important work. - P91
Other people may not recognizeour efforts, but we are playing to the audience of One. - P91
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Son Jesus Christ who saved me. Thank youfor the faithful people whom You brought into my life to preach the gospelto me. - P91
Please help me to remain faithful to the work of spreading the goodnews. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P91
28 Then the commander said, "I had to pay a lot ofmoney for mycitizenship." "But I was born a citizen, Paul replied. כ - P93
Paul continues his defense. He relates how God spoke to him in a trance andtold him to leave Jerusalem and go to the Gentiles. - P93
When the crowd hearsthis, they are outraged. The commander takes Paul back to the barracks tobe flogged and interrogated. When he is about to be flogged, Paul revealsthat he is a Roman citizen. - P93
Paul continues to address his persecutors. While in Jerusalem, he waspraying and fell into a trance. The Lord told him to leave immediately, but Paul replied that he had been famous in Jerusalem for zealously per-secuting Christians. - P94
Perhaps he thought this would make his conversiona powerful testimony to his fellow Jews. But Jesus told him the Jewswould not listen to him. Instead, God would send him to be an apostleto the Gentiles. - P94
Though our personal testimony may be a compellingstory, only the Holy Spirit can convict people of sin and draw them toGod. - P94
This is why we should always be praying for the unbelievers intheir hearts to theopenmessageour lives, asking that God wouldofthe gospel. - P95
After hearing Paul‘s story, the crowd only turns more violent and de-mands that he be killed. - P94
The Roman commander then orders that Paulbe flogged and interrogated in order to find what he did to make thepeople so angry. - P94
But Paul asserts his rights as a Roman citizen, and thesoldiers are forced to withdraw. A person‘s national citizenship comeswith certain rights and privileges. These rights are not earned but simplybestowed by the nation‘s leader. - P94
As believers in Jesus Christ, we are cit-izens of heaven, and this comes with the great privilege of enjoying ourKing‘s protection. - P94
Whenever the enemy wants to attack you or makeyou feel unworthy, remind him of who you are in Christ, and he willhave choice but to retreat. - P94
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