God's Plans
So, I'm not quite sure what I'm going to write about, so I'll just see where this goes.
Our church is doing this daily reading program, trying to read the bible in a year. Well, much to say, I'm not fond of doing it, for many reasons. (I know, I really shouldn't be like that!) Well, tonight, I actually found myself reading ahead!!! It almost makes me smile in knowing why I did! There's even tears in my eyes knowing that God was talking to me tonight while I was reading. HE ACTUALLY CARES about me! (I'm still not sure why, I think, as tears roll down my face! I'm not deserving enough! But that's a conversation for another day!)
We are in the book of Acts. It's talking about Paul. Okay, from what I know about Paul, he went through so much! He sinned, a lot! He hunted down Christians! Then God turned Paul around. In chapter 26, (One chapter farther then I was supposed to read tonight!) Paul talks about when/what Jesus told him to do, making him His servant! He forgave Paul of his past and said,
"Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your won people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to opened their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those you are sanctified by faith in me." (Acts 26:16-18)
This last part was what Paul was telling one of the kings that he was asking to get his charges dismissed. As I keep reading about Paul I am amazed at his faith, and even respect for others. As he's addressing King Agrippa, Festus (Not sure who is.) tried to interrupt Paul and was trying to get the King Agrippa to say that he was insane. When Paul was addressing Festus, he says "most excellent Festus." Now, he could have been saying it sarcastically, but it just struck me as odd. How many times in our lives do we get so hurt by what others say and we lose all respect for them? Even in this horrible situation Paul remains intact enough to be respectful to those that are trying to kill him.
I'm just amazed at reading Chapters 25 & 26. I don't know what tonight things were clearer to me. I don't know why tonight of all nights I felt so bad for Paul. How could he go through all of that and still trust that God was going to look out for him. The faith he must have had. He talks about the hope that he has, the "hope that God has promised our ancestors." (Acts 26:7)
The trials that I have been through in this past year are absolutely nothing compared to what Paul and to go through. Why is it that I struggle so? Maybe someday I'll know. Maybe someday I will be able to see things more clearly. Right now though, I'm just amazed at what just happened in my living room. Tonight could have turned out way differently, BUT God had other plans.
Our church is doing this daily reading program, trying to read the bible in a year. Well, much to say, I'm not fond of doing it, for many reasons. (I know, I really shouldn't be like that!) Well, tonight, I actually found myself reading ahead!!! It almost makes me smile in knowing why I did! There's even tears in my eyes knowing that God was talking to me tonight while I was reading. HE ACTUALLY CARES about me! (I'm still not sure why, I think, as tears roll down my face! I'm not deserving enough! But that's a conversation for another day!)
We are in the book of Acts. It's talking about Paul. Okay, from what I know about Paul, he went through so much! He sinned, a lot! He hunted down Christians! Then God turned Paul around. In chapter 26, (One chapter farther then I was supposed to read tonight!) Paul talks about when/what Jesus told him to do, making him His servant! He forgave Paul of his past and said,
"Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your won people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to opened their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those you are sanctified by faith in me." (Acts 26:16-18)
This last part was what Paul was telling one of the kings that he was asking to get his charges dismissed. As I keep reading about Paul I am amazed at his faith, and even respect for others. As he's addressing King Agrippa, Festus (Not sure who is.) tried to interrupt Paul and was trying to get the King Agrippa to say that he was insane. When Paul was addressing Festus, he says "most excellent Festus." Now, he could have been saying it sarcastically, but it just struck me as odd. How many times in our lives do we get so hurt by what others say and we lose all respect for them? Even in this horrible situation Paul remains intact enough to be respectful to those that are trying to kill him.
I'm just amazed at reading Chapters 25 & 26. I don't know what tonight things were clearer to me. I don't know why tonight of all nights I felt so bad for Paul. How could he go through all of that and still trust that God was going to look out for him. The faith he must have had. He talks about the hope that he has, the "hope that God has promised our ancestors." (Acts 26:7)
The trials that I have been through in this past year are absolutely nothing compared to what Paul and to go through. Why is it that I struggle so? Maybe someday I'll know. Maybe someday I will be able to see things more clearly. Right now though, I'm just amazed at what just happened in my living room. Tonight could have turned out way differently, BUT God had other plans.
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