Good morning people who believe others can change

Acts 8:1-3 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

There is a huge contrast between these two passages. Do you know what made the difference? It is the power of God that changed a life.

Saul was the initiator of persecution in the Church until God got a hold of him. Once God revealed Himself to Saul and Saul responded, a season of peace came upon the Church – the persecutor became the catalyst for peace.

Maybe the person who is your greatest adversary right now just might be God’s intended instrument to positively influence your future. God is incredibly good like that. Nothing is too difficult for our God.

But here’s the challenge for us. Do we really want that?

Maybe one of the greatest acts of love we can have is to pray that God powerfully touches and changes the lives of those who are causing us the most trouble. Maybe, just maybe, God’s redemptive plan includes them