Verse of the Day 7/22

 

Acts 22:14-15   And he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; ¹⁵ for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.  English Standard Version (ESV)

In yesterday's devotional we considered Paul's "course" in life, his purpose was to proclaim the whole counsel of God which involved (among other things) the truths of election and our eternal destination.  You can't read today's verses without thinking about election, God's calling in Paul's life and in our lives.  It is a common theme in the Bible.

Today's verse came at the end of my devotional reading through the New Testament.  Earlier, my Old Testament

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations."  Jeremiah 1:5 ESV

If God has called you, chosen you, you will see Him and hear the words from His mouth.  It may be directly through His Spirit as you read God's Word or it may come through someone else revealing what has happened to you as it was with Ananias explaining what had happened to Paul on his way to Damascus.

The other common theme in this is that if God has spoken to you, if God has been revealed to you, it is with a purpose and that is to share, to be a "key witness" (The Message) to what He has done.

Read the short passage below from The Message.  If you have been chosen by God, if you are a follower of Christ, what does it mean to you today to think that "The God of our ancestors has handpicked you to be briefed on his plan of action?"?

The apostle Peter challenged his readers in a similar way "Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. " 2 Peter 1:10English Standard Version (ESV)

May we seek out what His plan on action for our lives is today.

Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at www.mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Acts 22:14-16The Message (MSG)

^14-16 "Then he said, 'The God of our ancestors has handpicked you to be briefed on his plan of action. You've actually seen the Righteous Innocent and heard him speak. You are to be a key witness to everyone you meet of what you've seen and heard. So what are you waiting for? Get up and get yourself baptized, scrubbed clean of those sins and personally acquainted with God.'