Verse of the Day 7/28

Through the Bible - Psalms 56-58, Romans 1   Good mroning, This past weekend our Pastor Tim spoke from Matthew 22 about loving God with all of our hearts and loving our neighbor as yourself.  One of the reference verses he used was Acts 1:8, I read it from the Amplified Bible and have posted it here.   Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.   Think of what we are given when the Holy Spirit "comes upon us", the "ability, efficiency, and might" to achieve His purposes when we give ourselves, when we make God's will our will and submit to Him.   For today's verse we''ll go towards the end of the book, chapter 26 specifically where Paul gives his testimony.   Acts 26:17 And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles 18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me.'   NLT In Acts chapter 26 Paul gives his testimony.  Take some time today and read the passage.  See how Acts 1:8 was displayed in his life.   I'm sure that as he was persecuting Christians as Saul, that he didn't feel that he was in need of rescue.  But on that road at mid day Saul was stopped in his tracks by a light that outshined the sun, which in that region was white hot.   Paul's life was changed.  The spirit came upon him with power- (ability, efficiency, and might) - to open the eyes of those who would here him, to bring them out of darkness and into God's light.  The course of their lives would be changed as they still are today for those whose "eye's are opened" to the gospel of Christ.   There are those around us today who don't feel that they are in need of rescue.  May it be our prayer that God may open their hearts and minds to receive the gospel message, and may we be His instruments.   If you know it, think of or sing the words to "Glorious One" or  "Open the Eyes of My Heart" and make it your prayer today to live your life "shining in the light" of His glory.   In Christ, Mike   Acts 26:12-24 12 "One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. 13 About noon, Your Majesty, as I was on the road, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. 14 We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.' 15 "'Who are you, lord?' I asked. "And the Lord replied, 'I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. You are to tell the world what you have seen and what I will show you in the future. 17 And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles 18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me.' 19 "And so, King Agrippa, I obeyed that vision from heaven. 20 I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do. 21 Some Jews arrested me in the Temple for preaching this, and they tried to kill me. 22 But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God's light to Jews and Gentiles alike."   NLT