​​Paul set an amazing example for believers in showing us how important it is to stand up for the truth of Jesus, while also standing in the gap for those who are young in their faith. The Gentile believers could have easily been swayed into believing a strict adherence to Old Testament law was necessary for their faith, but Paul went to great lengths to continually point them back to the grace of God. Prayerfully, we all have new believers in our lives whom we can pour into and encourage like Paul. In doing so, our own hearts for Jesus grow, and our witness and influence with others grow.

Paul and Barnabas traveled over 600 miles on their first missionary journey, sent out by a diverse church in Antioch. From political leaders to the overlooked and hurting, they shared the good news with everyone they met — and God worked miracles in every heart. As they preached, they faced both opportunities and opposition, but they never lost sight of the story they were part of: Jesus is King, and His love changes everything. That same call is for us today — to trust God with our next step, to see every person as someone God loves, and to remember that we’re all part of a greater story. Wherever we go, let’s follow Jesus boldly, knowing He’s with us every step of the way.

As a Christ-follower, we are not created to go alone. When we enter into this beautiful covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ, His Son, we are born into the “family” of God. Too many Christians become isolated and therefore they conform to the world and become ineffective in their spiritual lives. God gives us His Church, and every person is important to the Body of Believers. Paul joined with other believers to grow in His faith and to further God’s Kingdom. Find a place to serve, a spiritual mentor and someone you can disciple. The apostle Paul was invested in building God’s Church, and he had a tremendous community around him. Do you? Be intentional in investing in what is eternal and watch God do great things through you!

God transformed Paul’s life through Jesus. Paul was angry, bitter, and a murdering man, even though he was religious. But when Paul met Jesus on that road to Damascus, his life was radically changed forever. Paul didn’t simply accept Christ and then live his own way, but he passionately grew in his relationship with Christ. Paul spent 14 years studying God’s Word and growing in Christ. God was preparing Paul for what God would do through him. God’s preparing you, so let’s grow in Christ. Now is our time to live our lives fully for the glory of our great God.

The conversion of Saul to Christianity is one of the defining moments in the history of the world. God transformed his life, and God wants to transform every one of us. Saul was the last person anyone ever thought would convert to Christianity. Never give up on people. Our God works miracles. Once Saul (Paul) was saved, he was baptized and became a servant of Jesus. There comes a point for every one of us where we have to make a decision about Jesus. Once we are saved, we want to be baptized and be a servant of Jesus. This is the greatest life ever! God filled Paul with the Holy Spirit and used him to impact the world. Will you trust God today?

Saul was a Jewish religious leader whose life was radically changed by Jesus. Saul grew up attending the synagogue. He was trained in the Old Testament. He was a Pharisee and a leader of the Jewish people. He even persecuted the Church of Jesus. You can be religious and not be a follower of Jesus. There are many religious people today. Have you ever fully committed your life to Jesus and become His disciple? Saul does, and his life is radically changed. His name is changed to Paul, and he goes on to become the “Apostle to the Gentiles.” God saves him spiritually and then uses his life to impact the world. Now is your time. Will you respond to Jesus today and live your life fully for Him? Let’s live as disciples of Jesus.

In today’s world, there is an obsession with knowledge but a growing resistance to true wisdom. While knowledge is the accumulation of information, wisdom is the right application of that knowledge, something our society increasingly overlooks. Ecclesiastes 4 echoes this truth by exposing the emptiness of ambition, isolation, and toil without purpose. It reminds us that life’s value is not in what we know or achieve, but in how we live in relationship with others and with God.

Time is precious. God has given us life. We were born for a reason and a purpose. We often complain that we don’t have enough time. It is really not about time, but about priorities. Therefore, we must prioritize the time God has given us and live each moment for Him. To know God is Sovereign over this world and over our lives. May we learn to understand how precious our time is so that we gain a heart of wisdom. Wisdom to live each moment for the glory of God.