(Acts 9:1) Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
Paul was an intense person. He was the up-and-coming rabbi of the day. He was devoted above all others to the Law. He persecuted Christians fiercely thinking he was doing God a favor. But then something happened. He met Jesus along the road to Damascus. A light shone around him and he was struck to the ground. There in a position of humility he submitted his life to the Lord. God placed a call upon Paul’s life to share His love around the world. He would also be persecuted and suffer much for the sake of the gospel.
Paul took that intensity that had previously been misdirected and put it into service for Christ. He labored like no other apostle before him. He traveled extensively over the Roman Empire winning many souls to Christ. He discipled converts and established churches. He was put in chains for his faith and even testified before Caesar. He wrote half the books of the New Testament and at the end of his life suffered a martyrs’ death.
How about you? Are you intense for the Lord? Or are you playing it low-key and cool? And let me ask you another question. Are you more intense for the Lord than you were for the devil? If not, what happened? Doesn’t the Lord deserve more of your energies than the devil? Satan tried to destroy your life, but Jesus rescued and restored you. So, who gets the greatest devotion?
What happened to your intensity? Has it dropped off? Why? You used to be such a spitfire. What happened to your spirit? Are you getting lazy? Hazy? Are you about as threatening as Miss Daisy? It’s time to acquire the fire you once had and get back to being intense for the Lord!
(Rev 3:15-16) "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
(Pro 28:1) . . . the righteous are bold as a lion.
(Acts 4:13) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
Louie