1-18pm
Every morning when I get into the office, I do final preparation prior to the Rise and Shine show. One of the things I do just before I go downstairs to the studio is I put a ‘Good Morning!’ message onto the Rise and Shine Facebook Page. Usually, it’s a little bit of inspiration – maybe some encouragement – a reminder of God’s love and presence. I’m never too sure what I ‘m going to write, but somehow something comes out! This morning, as I had my Quiet Time, instead of starting my reading in the Old Testament, I began with my reading from Romans. I’m in the final chapter. As I read, I stopped dead in my tracks at a verse I have never noticed before. I knew that I had to make a note there and then of it, so I could later put it on the FB page. My head whirled as I thought back to the book of Acts, to Paul’s dreadful deeds as Saul, to his amazing conversion & very briefly I had a momentary glance ‘behind the scenes.’
Bartolomeo Montagna Depiction of Paul
There was Saul of Tarsus, young and zealous Pharisee who witnessed the stoning of Stephen. He led a major persecution of the church. Angry and threatening, he had a fearful reputation. Adronicus and Junias were two of Saul’s relatives – how closely related we do not know – but they must have known what Saul was up to. And they believed in Jesus! Imagine their position. Imagine them hearing their violent, seemingly angry family member was out to kill possibly even them. Can you imagine their prayers? “Lord, please save Saul. Lord please stop him!” I would have been praying fervently. And then suddenly boom! on the road to Damascus, Jesus reveals Himself to Saul and He is miraculously saved.
The verse that got these thoughts going through my head:
“Greet Adronicus and Junias, my relatives, who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles and they were in Christ BEFORE me.” (Romans 16:7)
If you have been praying for someone in your family for whom you think there is no hope – he is too bad, or too wild or too ‘far gone,’ don’t give up. He/She may just be a ‘Paul’ in the making!
God bless you loads!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂