Deacon Adrienne Wynn

Acts 9:1-6

Am I Persecuting God? 

There are times when we believe we are acting in the will of God and He shows us that we are not. In fact, our behavior may be quite un-Christ like if the truth be told. In today’s scripture, we see Paul living out his so called piousness in a way that is grieving God. Paul thought that he was doing exactly what God wanted him to do by persecuting people that didn’t follow what he believed was the correct way. Jesus had to stop Paul dead in his tracks and asks him, “Paul, why are you persecuting me?” (v. 4)  

Have you every stopped to think if there are times that you are persecuting God by your actions? Our persecuting God doesn’t have to be something as dramatic as what Paul was doing. It can show itself in our everyday activities. Have you talked about someone negatively and felt justified in your conversation because the person had done something you didn’t think was right? Have you turned away from helping someone in need because you didn’t like something they did or said or the way they looked? Are you harboring resentfulness towards someone because they hurt your feelings? These are examples of persecuting God. When we shun God’s people we are persecuting Him.  

But, there is hope for us because we serve a God of love. We are being called this year to go deeper with God. Going deeper with God means that we hear and obey His voice, to love unceasingly and to forgive repeatedly. Show God how much you love Him today by refusing to allow yourself to persecute one of His children.  

Prayer 

Precious Father, thank you for being a God of love and forgiveness. Help me Father, to love your people as you love me. Help me Lord, to forgive others as you forgive me of my trespasses. Remind me that I live by your grace and mercy so that I will extend it to someone else. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Thought for the Day 

Love unceasingly and forgive repeatedly no matter what!