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November 16, 2021

Acts 22:6-11

“About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’
“‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.
“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.
“‘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.’ My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

New International Version (NIV)

When our daughter applied to college, she wrote her story and sent it to the admissions office at a Christian university. This was not required, but she felt she was led to do it. We knew her story from our point of view, but we had never heard it in her own words. Tears blurred our vision as we read. I stood there as the admissions officer said to our daughter, “I read your story. God has always had you!”

Earlier in Acts, Luke the author told us Paul’s story. This is now the second time we hear it, but this time Paul was speaking it in court in the presence of his captors. It is the story of his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Everything changed for Paul that day. By grace he was transformed from a persecutor of Christians to a preacher of Christ.

What is your story? Have you written it down? Where were you when Christ found you and drew you to himself? Jesus told his disciples they would tell their story as his witnesses. This day was Paul’s turn. Someday it will be our turn. What will we say on that day? I know one thing for sure about each of us: God has always had us in the palm of his hand. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Pray with me:
Father, thank you for finding a way to find us. Remind us again today of the love that drew salvation’s plan and the grace that brought it down to us. Help us to live this day as your chosen ones, beloved by you our Father. Show us again that we are fully known and perfectly loved by you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scripture memorization for this week:

Acts 20:24

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

New International Version (NIV)

Our 2021 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations Bible reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy here:

2021 Reading Plan

We would love for you to join us as we read through the Bible in one year, while still having the flexibility of reading 5 days per week. In addition, I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. We will also memorize 2 scriptures each week. As we journal together this year, Robby Gallaty’s H.E.A.R. plan is a good resource: Highlight a verse that stands out to you, Explain what it means, Apply that truth to your life and Respond to what you’ve read with an action or prayer.

Joyfully,
Duane

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Houston, TX | 77024 US

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