Inviting God -Week 11 / New Purpose

Week 11 – Day 1: Invitation to New Purpose

Read: Acts 9:1-19

After the birth of the early church at Pentecost and Peter’s first sermon, the church grew rapidly. 3,000 people came to faith in Christ at Peter’s first sermon, another 2,000 at his second, and we know that besides these two major events, the Lord was adding new converts to their numbers daily (Acts 2:47).

All of this growth had a very real downside, though. The religious leaders couldn’t handle it. Seriously. They were so threatened by this new movement (the Way) that they started trying to imprison the disciples and threaten them not to speak about Jesus (Acts 4:18). God was with them, however, and not even prison bars could stop them from sharing the good news about Jesus (Acts 5:17-25).

The church grew so quickly that they immediately needed some type of structure to help with the needs of all who had come to faith in Jesus. So, they set aside a group of men for service to widows and other spiritual needs, known as deacons.

One of those deacons, a man named Stephen, was also a gifted speaker who boldly preached about Jesus. So many people came to faith through his ministry that the priests felt threatened and wanted to silence him. They accused him of blasphemy, and in one of the most powerful defenses in all of Scripture, Stephen exposed their disobedience to God and to “their father” Moses—ultimately pointing out that they had a long history of killing God’s prophets.

In response to his passionate speech, the religious rulers stoned him to death. It marked a turning point in the early church’s history and in how the religious authorities dealt with these new followers of “the Way.” Widespread persecution erupted. Families fled for their lives. Many were arrested and executed for blasphemy. There are historical accounts of mass drownings, people being crucified, and burned alive—all for their refusal to denounce their faith in Jesus.

Saul’s story begins here. As the religious leaders murdered Stephen, a young Pharisee was present. The Bible says that “they laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul (Acts 7:58), and that he, “agreed with putting him to death.”

But these early believers, even though scattered, never stopped sharing Jesus with others. Churches appeared in almost every place where the people had been scattered, and “the Way” continued to grow. This angered many of the religious leaders who had tried to stop it, and they launched a fierce attack, even giving Saul documents that allowed him to hunt down, arrest, and bring back any believers in Jesus he could find.

And that is exactly what he is doing in our passage today. Saul is on his way to Damascus to arrest people who have put their faith in Jesus and bring them back to stand trial for their blasphemy. He was a man on a mission—dedicated to stopping followers of Christ. Zealous in his pursuit, God turned his world upside down – blinding him with a bright light and calling him to a new purpose.

These people he was so passionately pursuing would become his new calling in life. His new purpose. He wouldn’t persecute them. He would encourage them. Teach them. Organize them into new churches and send them out as ministers of reconciliation. (We will get to that later.)

Today, I want you to focus on this: Saul’s pursuit was interrupted with a better one. His life was redirected. Completely changed. Yours can be too. So can those around you! God is still in the business of inviting people to a new purpose.

Prayer: Father, thank you. Thank you for saving me. I remember the road I was on. I remember when you called me to yourself. I’m so sorry that I let so many days go by when I hadn’t thought of that. When I hadn’t lived for that. So that others might have the same experience. God, as we wind down this series, continue to wind up my heart for this mission of reconciliation. Amen.

Reflection:
1. Saul was zealously pursuing his own agenda, yet God invited him into a new life and purpose. How does God’s invitation to relationship with Him challenge the way you view your own life’s purpose? How might you extend that same kind of invitation to someone else who seems far from God?(MULTILINE)

2. Saul’s encounter with Jesus required immediate surrender—he was blinded, humbled, and forced to stop. Reflect on a time when God has invited you to step away from something in order to follow Him. How did that change your life, and how could it inspire you to invite someone else to experience God’s transforming relationship?(MULTILINE)

3. God didn’t just save Saul; He invited him into a mission to serve others. How does understanding salvation as an invitation into relationship with God influence how you approach your friendships, family, or community? Who in your life might you invite to take the first step toward that same relationship?(MULTILINE)

Application:
Take a moment to remember your own encounter with Jesus—when He first opened your eyes and invited you into a relationship with Him. Reflect on how that moment changed your direction and gave you a new purpose. Then, ask God to help you see someone around you who still needs that same invitation. Pray for courage to be the one who helps them see Jesus for who He truly is.

Week 11 – Day 2: Chosen Instrument

Read: Acts 9:20-31

Yesterday, we explored the early history of the church. We discussed how it was born at Pentecost and grew rapidly through Peter’s preaching and the fellowship of believers. We briefly covered how this sudden growth caused challenges within the church and why deacons were needed to help meet the expanding needs of the believers. We also talked about the martyrdom of one of those deacons, a man named Stephen. From that point on, the religious leaders changed their attitude toward this new group called “the Way.”

Persecution erupted. Christians were being hunted down, arrested, imprisoned, and even killed. Leading the efforts was a young, zealous Pharisee named Saul. Yesterday, we examined his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Blinded, Saul was guided by the hand into the city of Damascus, where for three days, he refused to eat or drink.

In today’s reading, we learn what happens next. God calls a disciple in Damascus to go to Saul and lay hands on him so he can regain his sight. Ananias responds to Saul as most would at first. He is unsure and afraid. However, he obeys the Lord and follows His instructions. When he prays for Saul, something like scales fall from Saul’s eyes, and his sight is restored. Immediately, Saul gets up and is baptized as a symbol of his repentance and faith in Jesus.

He stays in Damascus for a while, but he is a changed man. He immediately begins preaching in the synagogues and proclaiming that Jesus is truly the Son of God. The people are confused, wondering if this really was the same guy who was persecuting those who believed in Jesus. But it’s him. Paul grows stronger and stronger in his wisdom and knowledge of Christ and begins to confuse and confound the Jewish teachers of the law. They become so frustrated that they even try to kill him.

Eventually, Saul will return to Jerusalem and attempt to join the followers of Jesus. Understandably, they are cautious. This is the man who was “breathing out murderous threats” against them (Acts 9:1). Barnabas, the encourager, mentors Saul, enabling him to share his conversion story with the disciples. As a result, the church continues to grow. Saul, also known by his Roman name Paul, would become a key figure in the church—a light to the Gentiles (Acts 13:47). Ultimately, God will use him to write nearly half of the books in the New Testament.

My favorite part of the whole story is one little phrase that God uses to describe Paul to Ananias. The Lord told Ananias he had to go to Paul and lay hands on him, because Paul was God’s “chosen instrument” to take His name to the Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. I love that phrase: “chosen instrument.” The word can also mean vessel. Paul was God’s chosen vessel to deliver the good news of Jesus Christ to the Gentile world and beyond.

And guess what? So are we! When God calls us into relationship, He calls us into ministry. At the moment of our salvation, we become a new creation with a new purpose, which is to be ministers of reconciliation. Following in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior, we are to seek out the lost, share the good news of Jesus with them, and when they receive Him and are reconciled to God, we disciple them and release them to do the same.

What I’m saying is that we are God’s plan for this! We are His chosen vessels and instruments. You are His chosen instrument. I hope that after 10 weeks, this is beginning to sink in. God has chosen you. Yes, you. You with all your baggage. You with all your excuses. You matter to Him. You are precious to Him. You have been chosen for this very purpose – to be a vessel of light to others, a vessel of good news!

Prayer: Father, I understand. I truly do. I don’t know why I keep resisting, even though it’s so clear. You have chosen me, and I don’t fully understand it. But I’m incredibly grateful for it. I want to be a vessel for You, Lord. Here I am—use me. I want to live this out. I want to be your chosen instrument to draw others closer to You and build their relationship with You. Amen.

Reflection:
1. How does Saul’s immediate response to his salvation—proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God—reveal what it means to be invited into a new purpose? What does this say about how quickly God can use someone once their heart is surrendered?(MULTILINE)

2. God called Saul His “chosen instrument.” What does it mean for you to be chosen by God—not just for salvation but also for His mission? How does knowing that God personally invites you to be part of His redemptive work change the way you see yourself?(MULTILINE)

3. Ananias took a huge risk by obeying God’s command to go to Saul. How might God be calling you to reach out to someone you might normally avoid or fear? How could your obedience be the very invitation God uses to change another person’s life?(MULTILINE)

Application:
Invite God to use you today as His chosen instrument. Ask Him to open your eyes to one person who needs encouragement, grace, or truth—and take a step toward them. It might be through a word, a prayer, or simply showing up in their life. Let God’s invitation to relationship with you overflow into an invitation for someone else to know Him.

Week 11 – Day 3: Your Past May Become Your Platform

Read: Galatians 1:11-24

This week, we’ve been studying the life of Paul and reflecting on God’s plan to redirect lives and use them to expand His Kingdom. On Day 1, we saw how Saul was determined to persecute the early believers in Jesus. He was on his way to do just that when the Lord appeared to him and called him to a new purpose. That’s what God does. He invites us to Himself, and that invitation has the power to completely change our life’s direction.

Saul, also known by his Roman name Paul, became God’s “chosen instrument” to spread the good news of Jesus to the Gentile world and beyond. In a similar way, we have each been chosen for this task – the ministry of reconciliation. Following in the footsteps of Jesus, we’re called to seek out the lost, share the good news of Jesus with them, and when they receive Him and are reconciled to God, we are to disciple them and send them out to do the same. We are His plan! God’s chosen instruments.

God wants to us us. All of us. Our past and our emotional baggage. Our excuses. All of it. God loves us. We matter to Him. And if we let Him, He will use every part of our story to bring other people to Himself. That’s what today’s text is all about.

In Galatians 1:11-24 we read Paul’s testimony. Really, that’s what this passage is. Paul is writing the young church that’s been infiltrated by some false teachers and He’s defending both his ministry and the gospel itself.

Some Jewish leaders have made their way into the Galatian church and convinced many of them that they need to believe in Jesus AND be circumcised AND follow all of the Jewish laws and customs. Paul’s point of course is, that’s NOT the Gospel.

God saves us by His grace as we put our faith in His one and only Son Jesus. That’s it! There is no other gospel. If our salvation is in ANY way dependent on us, that’s not good news – it’s terrible news, because we will fail.

So, Paul writes the church to remind them of this simple truth, there is only ONE gospel, and it’s the gospel of grace. Even if he returned and preached something else, or if an angel came to them and said something else – it wouldn’t matter – because we can only be saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

As part of putting these Jewish teachers that had elevated themselves and their works of the flesh in their rightful place, Paul offers up his personal testimony. The gospel that he preaches – the ONLY gospel…it didn’t come from any book or religious scholar – it’s not of human origin. No, Paul had a personal supernatural encounter with the LIVING Jesus on the Road to Damascus. Jesus revealed Himself and His glory to Paul in such a profound way that Paul was blinded and at the same time repented from his sinful pursuit and persecution of the early church.

This gospel wasn’t approved by anyone else. Paul didn’t immediately seek others’ opinions. Once his vision was restored and the scales fell from his eyes, he immediately got up and asked to be baptized. After that, he began going to the Jewish synagogues and arguing with the teachers there that Jesus was indeed the Messiah – God’s once-and-for-all solution to our sin.

And notice what people said about Him, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.” And then it says that all the people then glorified God because of the change in Paul. Did you catch that? His past became his platform.

Everyone knew who Paul was and what he had done. The fact that he now preached Jesus only highlighted that. I think too many of us miss this. We try to hide from our past and bury our mistakes. We’re so worried about what others might think that we end up hiding the glory of what God has truly done for us.

The story of Paul motivates me to do two things. First, it pushes me to openly share the gospel at all times. Once Paul met Jesus, everything changed – he immediately started sharing Jesus with everyone, and he never stopped. The second thing it encourages me to do is to be at peace with my past. Don’t get me wrong, I still dislike many of the things I did back then, but God is so gracious that He has used every single one of those mistakes to enable me to tell others about Him! He has used my past to give me a platform to share the gospel. And He will do the same for you!

Prayer: Father, for so long I’ve struggled with my past. But today, I read Paul’s testimony. He didn’t hide from who he was – he couldn’t. But his past became his platform for telling others about you. Lord, use all of my past…all of my hurt…my whole story so that others might come to know you. Amen.

Reflection:

1. How did Paul’s past persecution of the church become a platform for sharing Jesus? How might God use your past—your mistakes, regrets, or hardships—to draw others closer to Him?(MULTILINE)

2. Paul shared his personal testimony openly to defend the gospel and glorify God. Who in your life could benefit from hearing how God has changed you? How could your story serve as an invitation for them to explore a relationship with Jesus?(MULTILINE)

3. Paul didn’t wait for approval from others before sharing his encounter with Jesus. In what ways might fear of others’ opinions be holding you back from inviting someone into the life-changing relationship you have with Christ?(MULTILINE)

Application:
Identify one part of your story—whether it’s past mistakes, struggles, or victories—where God’s grace has worked powerfully. Think about how you could share that story with someone this week as a way of inviting them into a relationship with Jesus. Pray to God for courage and wisdom to use your life as a platform for His glory.

Week 11 – Day 4: Beautiful Messengers

Read: Romans 10:11-17

Paul’s story is one of powerful transformation. It’s proof that no one is too far gone – that no one is beyond God’s reach. This week we’ve seen how God not only saved Paul, but He changed Him – giving his life a new direction and purpose. But in doing so, God didn’t’ just erase Paul’s past as if it never happened – He used it as a platform. People eventually flocked to hear the man who once persecuted the followers of Jesus proclaim His death and resurrection and they glorified God because of it.

In today’s passage, Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome. He’s trying to get them to understand just how radical the gospel is – that it is indeed for everyone – even people like him. He reminds them that the gospel is indeed good news, but that good news must be shared. Let’s dig into his reasoning today.

First of all, there’s the powerful promise we see in verse 13, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Notice that language! It doesn’t say “some of the ones”…or “might be saved.” The promise is that every single person who puts their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord WILL BE SAVED! That’s huge!

Everyone — everyone who believes that Jesus is God’s solution for our sin problem. Everyone who understands that they can’t fix themselves. Everyone who is tired and stuck and turns to Jesus instead of themselves – everyone… Every single person who calls out to Jesus and puts their faith and trust in Him will be saved by the grace of God through their faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).

It’s an amazing promise! But how does it work? How can they call on someone they don’t know? On someone they have never heard of? And how will they ever hear if no one proclaims this to them?

That’s Paul’s point to the Christians in Rome. The power of the Gospel to change lives requires us to proclaim it to others! People can ONLY enter the Kingdom of God if they hear about Jesus and put their faith in Him. He is the ONLY way to be saved. (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). Faith comes by hearing and receiving the good news that Jesus came, lived the perfect life we couldn’t, and died in our place to pay the penalty (atone) for our sins.

So, Paul urges the church in Rome to do the same thing we’ve been encouraging you to do. Venture into a dark world filled with pain, hate, and ugliness—and shine the light of Jesus Christ. When we do that, we add a beauty to the world that it desperately needs.

So, today, I beg you: get up, stand on your feet, go somewhere, and tell someone what Jesus has done for you. Tell them that He is “the way, the truth, and the life,” and that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Tell them that He proves just how much God loves them—that He gave His life as a gift so they could be saved. But like any gift, they must personally accept it for it to be theirs (John 3:16). Just go and proclaim. You are now a herald of the gospel—someone called to bring beauty into a broken world. And nothing is more beautiful than seeing a lost sinner come home!

Prayer: Father, I want to become this kind of person. Help me to live for you. Help me to be a proclaimer. I want the people around me to know you. But they can’t know you unless I tell them about you. So, embolden me, Lord. Let me fully embrace this call to be your light in the world. Let others believe because they hear me share the gospel – amen.

Reflection:
1. Paul reminds us that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How does this truth shape the way you see people who don’t yet know Jesus? How might believing that anyone can be saved embolden you to invite more freely?(MULTILINE)

2. Paul says that people can only believe if someone tells them about Jesus. Who in your life hasn’t yet heard the good news in a clear or personal way? What could it look like for you to take a step toward sharing your story or inviting them to experience the hope you’ve found?(MULTILINE)

3. Paul calls gospel messengers beautiful. When you think about your own fears or hesitations in sharing, what helps you remember that God sees your obedience as beautiful—even when it feels awkward or uncomfortable? How does that perspective change the way you approach sharing your faith?(MULTILINE)

Application:

Look for one opportunity today to share Jesus with someone who may not know Him—whether it’s through a simple conversation, an act of kindness, or a direct invitation to church. Trust that as you speak, God will use your words to bring His beauty and light into someone’s life.

Week 11 – Day 5: It’s Your Turn

Read: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

This week, we’ve followed the life of Paul, a man whose entire course of life was redirected by God’s grace. God transformed Paul from a persecutor of the church into a preacher and protector of the church and the gospel.

His story reminds us that God can use anyone. He has the power to redeem our past and turn it into a platform to tell others about Him. We have been chosen by God to be His instruments, His everyday vessels to hold and carry the greatest treasure on earth – salvation! But that treasure isn’t meant to stay with us; it’s for everyone. So, we’ve got to share it! Faith comes by hearing, and people need to hear us talk about Jesus!

Today’s passage marks the end of Paul’s earthly life but not his legacy. Second Timothy is Paul’s final letter before his execution under Nero. As he writes these words, he’s chained in a Roman prison cell like a criminal. He knows his time on earth is short, but he’s not afraid. In fact, he is concerned that the gospel will continue to spread.

Paul writes to his spiritual son, Timothy, who is pastoring the church in Ephesus. He encourages him to stay faithful to the mission of reconciliation: to preach the Word and endure the hardships of ministry. He lets Timothy know that while his own personal race is coming to an end, Timothy’s is just beginning.

This passage isn’t just a farewell; it’s the passing of a spiritual baton and a handing off of mission. Paul is commissioning the next generation of gospel bearers. That means these words aren’t just for Timothy—they’re for us too! His message is clear: the gospel must continue to be shared. The mission of Jesus is now our responsibility, and we’ve been charged with it by Paul himself.

Like Timothy, we must be prepared each day and in every way to share the gospel with others. We should aim to live lives of self-control, endure hardships, and carry out the work of evangelism.

That means we must follow the example of people like Paul and Timothy and dedicate ourselves first and foremost to this cause. Remember, not everyone is called to vocational ministry. For most of us, following Jesus involves returning to our jobs and our communities and telling them what Jesus has done for us.

And that’s the work we must dedicate ourselves to doing. I have no doubt that when you think of faithful Christians, at least one or two names come to mind. And there is a reason for that. They lived it. They probably even played a part in you coming to know Jesus.

The point Paul is making is that now, it’s your turn. It’s your turn to be that person to others. It’s time for you to start running your race! To begin making an impact for the Kingdom of Heaven. And remember, you’re not alone in this! Jesus has promised to be with you. The Holy Spirit stands ready to empower you! You just have to go and start sharing.

You’ve made it through 11 weeks of devotional reading so far. Great job. But this is only the beginning for you. It has to be. This isn’t just a program; it’s about you becoming the kind of person who naturally does this—who wakes up every day thinking about God’s mission—the ministry of reconciliation. It’s about you regularly asking God to use you, to open your eyes to see the lost around you, to make divine appointments for sharing the gospel, and inviting them closer to Jesus.

Prayer: Father, thank you for this journey. I know it’s not over; it’s just beginning. Help me become this person. Help me live my life for you and your mission. Help me now to start running my race for you—committed daily to be used to bring others closer to you. Amen.

Reflection:
1. Paul was ready to finish his race because he had faithfully shared the gospel. How does his example challenge you to think about the kind of legacy you want to leave behind? Who might one day say that you helped them come to know Jesus?
(MULTILINE)

2. Paul passes the baton to Timothy and to us—to keep proclaiming Christ in every season. Where do you sense God inviting you to take up that same mission? What makes it hard for you to step forward and live as His messenger?
(MULTILINE)

3. Think about the people who played a part in leading you to faith. How did their faithfulness shape your own? How could God now use your story, influence, and obedience to help someone else begin their journey toward Him?(MULTILINE)

Application:
Take intentional action today to step into your part of the mission—look for one person who doesn’t yet know Jesus and move toward them in love. Whether it’s sharing your story, offering to pray with them, or inviting them to church, trust that the Holy Spirit will use your obedience to draw them closer to Christ.