Grace Church

I noticed in this passage that Paul was bold and confident in the gospel he was preaching because he had personal experience with the Lord. It wasn’t something he read in a self-help book, a how-to book, or some great advice he got from a friend. Paul made room for God and God met with him. God gave Paul the truth of his gospel. Whenever I’ve had a personal and emotional encounter with God, it’s been more powerful than any nugget of wisdom I’ve read in a book or heard from a friend. Why? God goes right to the heart of my need with his graces.

It’s been important to allow the Lord to build the foundation of my spiritual journey. It’s been easy to call a relative or close friend for encouragement and advice. I believe that God does use others in our life to guide us. I also believe that I should not always be seeking others for the truth, but seeking God. Paul spent three years alone in ministry with God. Then he only spent 15 days in ministry with Peter. I think the difference in the lengths of time is significant. I should spend the majority of my time seeking what God has for me and less time seeking the input of others.

One more thing, my thoughts and truths can get fuzzy and shaky if I seek advice and testimonies from too many people. I start forgetting who said what. Other people’s opinions or experience can innocently derail me from the truth that God wants to speak into my life specifically. That’s what makes my faith so personal. God knows me. He knows my story…start to finish. He knows what I need in the moment that no one else could give me. This personal connection with God is the very thing that gives me the boldness I need to share the gospel I’ve learned in Christ.