Wellspring of Joy

Pondering Point

The Apostle Paul, once a persecutor of God’s people, considered himself a servant to the people of God because of the grace God gave him. We often think of grace as something exercised with forgiveness, which it is. But it has other roles also. Here Paul indicates that grace puts us in position to serve others. God was gracious to Paul in forgiving His persecution of Jesus (Acts 22:7,16).

Here in the above quote from Ephesians 3:7 and in places like Romans 12:3-8, we find God using grace not as a gift of forgiveness, but as a gift of life-giving capacity in us for others. God gave grace to Paul for use in blessing others; God gives grace to you for use in blessing others. It comes in many forms: Spiritual gifts, abilities, experiences, and unique situations to name a few.

Make a choice to become like Paul, a servant of the Gospel. You can use the prayer below to assist in putting your commitment into words.

Acts 22:6-16

6 “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’

8 “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.

“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.

10 “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.

“ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

12 “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.

14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

Prayer for the Day

Father God, thank You for gracing me with forgiveness of sins. And thank You for gracing me with power to bless others by serving them in Your name.

Like, the Apostle Paul, I (re-)commit to become a servant of the gospel by Your gift of grace given me through Your power. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.