12-14 “One day on my way to Damascus, armed as always with papers from the high priests authorizing my action, right in the middle of the day a blaze of light, light outshining the sun, poured out of the sky on me and my companions. Oh, King Agrippa, it was so bright! We fell flat on our faces. Then I heard a voice in Hebrew: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me? Why do you insist on going against the grain?’

15-16 “I said, ‘Who are you, Master?’

“The voice answered, ‘I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down like an animal. But now, up on your feet—I have a job for you. I’ve handpicked you to be a servant and witness to what’s happened today, and to what I am going to show you.

17-18 “‘I’m sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I’m sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.’

Acts 26:12-18

Questions for Reflection:

Sometimes when our plans don’t work out as we want them to they work out even better than we expected, like this story of Paul – which took years to unfold. Can you think of a time in your life when this was true for you?

Can you think of how at this very moment, God may be putting pieces of a puzzle together in your life, all fitting together, in His perfect timing, for you to be a Contender for Him?

How might He want to use YOU to be deployed with a purpose for Him, instead of being a spectator?

Vs 16-17 Jesus says to Paul and to us, “I have a job for you. I’ve handpicked you to be a servant and witness…. I’m sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I’m sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in Me.”

Prayer of the Week:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me before You made the world. You are my true Father, my heavenly Father who loves me very much. I love You, I trust You, I worship You and step by faith into my true identity as Your lavishly loved child – the identity given to me in my baptism.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Hallowed be Your name on earth as it is in heaven.” I pray that I might recognize, treat and honor Your name and presence as true and real in every aspect of my being and living this day. I also pray that those people, institutions and cultures that do not treat You as holy might come to know You and proclaim You as the just, true, saving, forgiving, life giving God that You are.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” I ask for and seek Your authority, rule and reign over every aspect and dimension of my life. I also request Your good and gracious reign come over people, circumstances and situations that desperately need Your truth, leadership, provision, protection, authority, healing and wholeness – all the many benefits of life in Your kingdom. – Come reign of Jesus, come!

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “You Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Among all the competing wills in my life, situations and world I pray that Your will breaks through and gets done. Over all my desires, prayers and decisions I pray Your good and gracious will Be Done. I also request Your Will override all other competing evil and sinful forces that are always luring myself and my fellow human beings into poor, life stealing decisions. (Now pause and take some time to strategically pray “Hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” prayers over your life and the people and situations you are close to.)

Father, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for calling me to be a contender for You and Your kingdom as I live the meaningful life You intend today.

Amen