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Sep 11, 2024 06:00am

Stories That Shape Us

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My mother-in-law’s sisters came in for a visit this week. One lives in Jonesboro, and the other in Florida. They don’t see each other much, and last night was a joyful reunion.

They told stories all afternoon and evening: things that are happening now, things from when they were young girls, and of days long ago. Life has brought about many changes and challenges throughout the years. All three are now widows, navigating this new life as best they can. But there have also been great joys as well. They shared about their children and grandchildren. We had Christmas in July as we swapped gifts, and one of them even introduced me to a new app her grandson downloaded for her to identify plants.

And this morning, I can hear muffled voices coming from the dining room table where their stories continue.

Acts 9:32-42
“As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda.
33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years.
34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately, Aeneas got up.
35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.
37 About that time, she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.
38 Lydda was near Joppa, so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived, he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.
41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.
42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.”

A man, once paralyzed, now healed!
A woman, once dead, now alive!

You can just imagine that it was a story to tell! And because they shared it, because the people saw the change in them, many came to believe in Jesus.

And because of those stories of these incredible miracles and lives changed being passed down through the centuries in Scripture, we too can read and see the truth. We can hear and see the amazing work of Christ in the lives of these men and women. Because of those stories, we can know who Jesus is and what He did for us on the cross, and we can believe.

Romans 10:9-11
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

Romans 10:17
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Stories are meant to be shared. This story is the greatest of all. God, the creator of the world, set this earth into place, made man from the dust of the earth, and breathed life into his lungs. But man rebelled against our Holy God and sinned against Him, causing a separation. But God, rich in mercy, put a plan into place to redeem man. He would cover the sins of man with the sacrificial blood of an innocent lamb. And then, one day, God made it complete. There would be one sacrifice that would die for all mankind and their sins would be forgiven from past to present to future.

His name was Jesus.

The one and only Son of God was delivered up on the cross, crucified to pay the debt we owed. This was the only way man could be forgiven of his sins – the only way that separation from God could be removed. Jesus died and was buried, and three days later, He rose from the dead, victorious over death and the grave! And today, if you hear this word and believe in your heart that God did these things for you and believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will be saved.

Have you done that? Have you confessed to the Lord your sins and put your faith in Him to save you?

If so, you’ve got a story to tell…

What are you waiting for?

Go and Tell!

And if you haven’t, I urge you to stop right now and pray to the Lord for His forgiveness and salvation. Pour out your heart to Him, and He will hear you.