Pray:
Continue to work in me and with me, Lord, because I love You and declare to serve You fully.
Read:
Acts 22:6-21
Meditate
Consider: What needs of people today provide bridges of opportunity for faith-sharing?
Think Further:
How do you communicate the Gospel to those who don't want to hear it? That was Paul's challenge as he began speaking to this crowd of angry religious leaders. They already knew everything they wanted to know about God. Anything Paul said would only set them off. As a follower of Christ today, you may have faced similar, though less volatile, situations. The reality, no matter how you spin it, is that telling people they need to repent of their sin and accept Jesus Christ can cause friction.
Paul handled the situation by simply telling his story, the unvarnished facts of what God had done in his life. That's a good strategy for today, because it's hard to argue with a changed life. He also built his testimony around three questions that helped him make the case for Christ. The first was, "Who are You, Lord?" (8). The blinding light and voice from heaven forced him to re-evaluate a lifetime of religious assumptions, something he wanted his present listeners to do. The second question was, "What shall I do, Lord?" (10). If Jesus really is alive, then this question required a response. The final question came from Paul's first spiritual director, Ananias, "What are you waiting for?" (16). There's a time to debate spiritual ideas, but there's also a time to make a decision. That was the point of Paul's speech.
As we'll soon see, Paul's audience rejected his message, but those who say "yes" to Jesus today find that "What shall I do, Lord?" is the essential question. God had an assignment (10b) for Paul, one that would change his life and the world forever. God has an assignment for you too. It probably won't be as remarkable as Paul's, but it's guaranteed to change your life and your world forever.
Apply:
What's your story? What has God done in your life? How has God changed you? Who could you tell?
Pray:
Lord, make clear to me what Your assignment is for me. I long for dedication and courage to rise to the task.
