MAY 11, 2015
Tell Your Story
Your
awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim Your greatness. —Psalm 145:6 nlt
Read:
1
Timothy 1:12-20
Michael Dinsmore, a
former prisoner and relatively new Christian, was asked to give his testimony
in a prison. After he spoke, some inmates came to him and said, “This is the
most exciting meeting we’ve ever been to!” Michael was amazed that God could
use his simple story.
In 1 Timothy, after Paul had charged Timothy to stay the course
preaching the gospel (1:1-11), he shared his personal testimony to encourage
the young man (vv.12-16). He told about God’s mercy in his own life. Paul said
that he had mocked the Lord, but He changed him. In His mercy, God not only
counted him faithful and gave him a job to do, but He also enabled him to do
His work (v.12). Paul considered himself the worst of sinners, but God saved
him (v.15).
The Lord is able! That is what Paul wanted Timothy to see, and
what we need to see too. Through Paul’s testimony, we see God’s mercy. If God
could use someone like Paul, He can use us. If God could save the worst of
sinners, then no one is beyond His reach.
Our story of God’s work in our lives can encourage others. Let
those around you know that the God of the Bible is still at work today!
Father, thank You for the salvation You offer and that no one,
including me, is beyond the reach of Your mercy, grace, and transforming power.
Help me share my story with others so that people can see Your love.
No one is beyond the
reach of God’s love.
INSIGHT:
Before Paul’s conversion he put Christian believers in prison and was present
for at least one murder—that of Stephen, who was stoned for preaching about
Christ (Acts 7:59–8:1). Yet after his conversion Paul sums up his former life
in just three words, telling Timothy that he was “a blasphemer, a persecutor,
and an insolent man” (1 Tim. 1:13). He then tells what God has done for him
(vv. 13-17), reminding us that it is not who we were that is important; it is
what God has done for us.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2012
