All of Jerusalem “was disturbed” (Acts 21:30). Paul had been seized, dragged out of the temple, almost beaten to death, and falsely charged with desecrating the temple (Acts 21:30-32,35).

However, when he was finally allowed to defend himself, he talked about, of all things, his conversion. He spoke of:

- his “education” at the feet of Gamaliel (22:1-3),
- his “convictions” relative to the strictness of the law (22:3),
- his “dedication” as a zealot, persecuting the church (22:3-5),
- his “immersion” for the remission of sins (22:6-16); and,
- his “commission” as one sent to the Gentiles (22:17-21).

Question: What really changed Paul’s life? What turned him from one religion to another? What redirected his energies? Why was he converted?

Answer: He saw Jesus! On the road to Damascus, his associates saw the same light Paul encountered, but only Paul was temporarily blinded. Why? Paul was the only one actually to see the Lord in His glory; and, well, it changed his life forever (Acts 22:6-9; 9:7).

Even so, when you and I study the Old Testament, we are encouraged to anticipate a Savior. When we study the New Testament, we are introduced to Jesus as that Savior. If we are baptized into Him (Galatians 3:26-27) and allow Him to live in us (Galatians 2:20), like Paul it will make all the difference in our lives...and our eternity.

Christ in you is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

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Submitted by Gary & Judy York

It is God’s will that each congregation of the Lord’s people have a plurality of elders (Acts 14:23). Elders have been given the responsibility to care for and oversee the church among them and are therefore referred to as bishops and pastors (Acts 20:17, 28:30; 1 Pet. 5:1-3; Eph. 4:11).

The elders’ first priority is pasturing the sheep. Hebrews 13:7 says they will give account for every sheep. Shepherds are in the sheep business.

Elder is the most often used term because the leadership of the church has been entrusted to men of age and experience. These are men who have grown in the Lord to a high level of spiritual maturity. This is the meaning of 1 Timothy 5:17, men “steeped in Scripture” who really “know the Lord”. Elders ought to be obvious by their profound spirituality.

Elders are also bishops. They are “in charge” of the local church. Sometimes preachers run the church. This is wrong. Elders oversee the church. Anyone, as James and John, who are more interested in sitting on God’s right hand than washing other’s feet are out of step with Jesus.

God has laid down over twenty definite qualifications a man “must” meet in order to be appointed as an elder (1 Tim. 3:17; Titus 1:5-9). Any man considered must be evaluated by these texts. Qualified elders do not harm the church. Unqualified elders hinder and destroy the church. Remember, God chooses men for elders, not angels nor supermen. They are still men with flaws and weaknesses. Abraham, Moses, David, and Peter were all men of God, but they were still men with feet of clay. — From The Messenger

Memorize at least one great truth every day. It may be a helpful scripture, an inspiring poem or a favorite quotation. What you memorize becomes a part of your life, your character, your future.

Neutralize your fears, your doubts and your anxieties through Bible study, prayer, and a positive mental attitude.

Specialize in some particular field of endeavor. Become an expert, and you will soon become indispensable. Become an authority on some subject or in some field, and inevitably you will be sought after.

Minimize your short comings, your liabilities and your deficiencies. You were designed by the Master Architect, you are greater than you think.

Maximize the good in others, the beauty of friendship, the look of love, and the joy of service. Train your eyes to look for the best in others, and invariably others will see the best in you.

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MONDAY - WASH DAY. Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead (1 Peter 5:6).

TUESDAY - IRONING DAY. Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others (James 2:1-3).

WEDNESDAY - MENDING DAY. O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others (Matthew 5:14-16).

THURSDAY - CLEANING DAY. Dear Lord, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart (Psalm 19:14).

FRIDAY - SHOPPING DAY. O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so that I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love (1 Corinthians 13).

SATURDAY - COOKING DAY. Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness (Ephesians 4:32).

SUNDAY - THE LORD’S DAY. O God, help me to worship Thee this day in spirit and in truth, recognizing Thy greatness and my weakness (John 4:24); remembering Thy Son’s death in the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11); giving generously as Thou has been good to me (2 Corinthians 9:7,8); singing enthusiastically praise to Thy name (1 Cor. 15:14); praying reverently (Heb. 4:16) and studying carefully from Thy Word (Luke 8:18; Mark 4:14).

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