Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

MONDAY MAY 11


TELL YOUR STORY

READ:
PALM 145:6 NLT
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Your awe-inspiring
deeds will be on
every tongue;
I will proclaim
Your greatness.
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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 every 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).
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.
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No one is beyond the reach of God's love.

******************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Timothy 1:12-20***********************
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who enabled
me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into
the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a
persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy
because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 and the grace of our
Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are
in Christ Jesus.

15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I
am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in
me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern
to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who
alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. amen.

18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according
to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by
them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a
good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the
faith have suffered shipwreck, 29 of whom are Hymenaeus and
Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not
to blaspheme.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>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.