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Jan 10, 2025 06:00am

Finding the Words

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I’ve always had a lot to say. I know that may seem hard to believe. I talked all the time, whether I was supposed to or not. Facebook had been popular with college students for a while (yes, for all you Gen Z’s, it was a college platform first, not just for old geezers like me). Twitter (now X) had just been released. So, my friend at the TV station helped me set up an account. The characters were limited, so whatever you said had to be important and to the point.

I opened up the page and clicked the screen to type and…

…

Suddenly, I couldn’t think of one thing to say.

My mind went blank.

What could I possibly say that anyone would want to know?

What message did I have that was of great importance that needed to be shared with the masses?

Acts 26:1
“Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You have permission to speak for yourself.’ So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense:”

We’ve been following Paul’s missionary journeys throughout the book of Acts. He has been beaten and arrested and now stands before Herod Agrippa II. He has the opportunity to speak before the king and can say anything. This is his moment. He could find a way to appeal to the king and be set free. But Paul chooses to use this moment to share his most important message.

Paul shares his testimony of how Jesus completely changed his life and the mission God has given to him and all believers.

Read chapter 26. It’s not long, just 32 verses.

Paul gives us a great example of how we can share our testimony and share the gospel with someone.

He talks about who he was before Christ. He was a Pharisee and a persecutor of Christians. He signed their death warrants.

He then shared about his encounter with Christ, how it stopped him in his tracks, and what Jesus said to him. The very mission he was given, “I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them
18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

And then he continued to speak about his change – he became obedient unto Christ, witnessing to all the need to repent and follow the Lord.

And then the moment of truth comes. The message has been delivered. But how will the hearts of the listeners respond?

Paul said, “The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice because it was not done in a corner.
King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

Would he believe?

This is a moment all of us face. We are given the truth, and then we must decide what we will do with that truth. Will we accept Jesus for who He is and leave everything to follow Him? Or, will we deny the truth that Jesus is Lord?

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

Not everyone will accept. The Word of God convicts our hearts, but some will harden their hearts to the truth. Like the king, they knew what it required to be a Christian; they knew it wasn’t popular, they would be persecuted, and it was a selfless life.

And many, like the king, won’t want that life.

But, my friends!!! Many will! Like Paul! And oh, the incredible things God can do with an obedient heart!

Today, choose Christ and then follow Paul’s example and share the beautiful story of Jesus! Share how He changed you. Tell of His wondrous love and forgiveness. Speak His truth into the lives of the lost.

Tell the story.

If you want to know more about what it means to follow Jesus, let me help. Go to follow.lifeword.org.