In His Time
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 1:13-24. We see in this Scripture that Paul acknowledges he persecuted the church in the past. Paul’s persecution of the church of God is also spoken of in the book of Acts. Paul previously was very much into Judaism.
In God’s perfect timing, He called Paul by His grace, to be an apostle and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the heathen. When Paul was called by God he didn’t go to the other apostles for their approval. He went straight to the lands of Arabia and Damascus to preach the gospel which God called him to do.
After three years of being in the ministry, Paul went to Jerusalem. There he met Peter and stayed with him for fifteen days. The only other apostle that Paul met at this time was James, Jesus’ brother.
Paul swore before God that everything he was telling the Galatians was true. After Paul’s visit to Jerusalem he went to Syria and Cilicia. Paul was unknown to the churches of Christ in Judaea. The only thing they knew about Paul was that he once persecuted the church of the Lord, but now he was preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The people glorified God for His work in Paul’s life.
Isn’t it amazing how God can take someone who was completely against God and His church, and turn that person completely around? He took Paul from being a persecutor of the church to preaching the gospel. Notice Paul says it happened in God’s perfect timing, not in Paul’s timing. Things don’t always happen when we want them to happen, but they happen when God thinks the time is right.
Daily Bible Reading:
Galatians 1:13-24
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
24 And they glorified God in me.
Things to think about:
- In what ways have you experienced God’s perfect timing in your life?
- Does it amaze you how God transformed Paul’s life?
- In what ways has God transformed your life?
- How have you surrendered your will to God’s will?
Prayer of the day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for this Scripture from the book of Galatians where Paul tells us about his conversion. He tells us that even though he was previously completely against the church You saved him and used him for Your glory. Help us to use Paul’s testimony to realize there is hope for anybody. We see how You used Paul, in spite of his past, to spread the gospel. Help us to be willing to be used by You to spread the gospel in any way You see fit. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Daily Bible Verse:
called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
– Galatians 1:15-16
– This is an excerpt from my book:
The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia
Click the link above to get your copy now!
Christian Music Video: In His Time
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Featured Book:
The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia
By Deborah H. Bateman
The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Galatians. The book of Galatians is in the New Testament and is one of Paul’s letters. He wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia.
Paul is concerned that the people of Galatia are being taught something different than the true gospel, which he taught them earlier. Paul goes to great lengths to make sure they understand the difference between living under the law and living under the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia contains sixteen Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day. This book is great to use for both personal Bible study and group Bible studies.
For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.
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Have a blessed day,
Deborah
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