August 22, 2025 | Be God's Family
Paul's Three Years of Preparation
Scripture: Galatians 1:18-24 (NIV)
18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.
21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me.
Devotional
Throughout Paul’s life, he explains many times in the bible that he was not a believer and was not a good person in his younger years. It was not until Jesus’s crucifixions that he began his process to believe in God the Father. How many years did it take YOU to become a believer in the Lord Jesus? I have always believed in the power of my faith, so I find it difficult to understand those that do not accept Jesus as our Savior.
Paul states in Galatians 1:23 “… the man who formally persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy. And they praised God because of me.” We are told that Paul established his authority to preach the truth of God by learning through the gospels. Therefore, shouldn’t it make sense that unbelievers could read the gospels and understand how important faith in God can be?
I tried to put this distrust or unbelieving into our life today, to help me understand why people can truly not trust in God. Think about actors/actresses, Politicians, CEOs, and others in places of high authority. Often we have a strong distrust or dislike for the job they do but is it because we don’t believe they are doing the appropriate job for us? Or is it because we don’t understand why they do what they do? I believe if we can understand fully the position they are in, we can begin to believe they are doing the best they can do at their respective job. That should mean that understanding the Gospels of Jesus’ life can help unbelievers begin to trust in their faith.
With that thought, it is up to us, as believers, to follow Paul’s lead and preach the gospels to those that truly don’t believe in God the Father. Try it - you will surprise yourself how much you really do know.
Poem
I Confess
Psalm 79
Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.
Psalm 79: 8-9
I confess
I confess I was an enemy of God
I confess I was proud in my own knowledge
I confess I looked down upon those unlike me
I confess I continued in the generational curses of my heritage
I confess I caused great damage to others
I confess I was wrong
I confess
I confess I was brought low by the gift of grace
I confess I knew nothing of God
I confess I had much to learn
I confess I received blessing without merit
I confess I long to be a part of the healing Kingdom
I confess I am loved
