The example of Saul...

At work I have a dear, dear friend named Michael. I just love him!

Today, him and I were talking about him needing to stop chewing tobacco (it's SO gross... I mean I was a smoker for a LONG time, but this snuff stuff is super gross), and he informed me that he can't quit chewing it because he can't change. (hmmm... really?)

Using myself as an example, I told him, "Look at me. I said I couldn't change and I didn't think I'd ever quit smoking, but I have... how do you think I did that?" His reply to me was, "You're strong. You were determined. It was your will - you wanted to quit so you did."

I had to laugh at that, because I am SO weak, and although I said I was determined, deep down I didn't want to quit at all!! I told Michael he was quite incorrect and that I had no part in it, other than the prayers I'd pray, asking God to put it on my heart to WANT to quit smoking ('cause he knew too, that I didn't really want to) and that he'd take this addiction away from me. And guess what? He did!!

So Michael says, "Oh, you're gonna play that card now, huh?" [LOL] "Yes," I said, "I'm going to play that card." So the conversation continues and he tells me that his girlfriend tells him that he's got the devil in him and she wants him to change too, but Michael says he doesn't believe in the devil or God, or any of that stuff. I replied that he's thinking of a little red devil in cartoon form - which is not real - but there IS a devil and he's very, very real. Michael doesn't think so... but dropped that subject fairly quickly.

Again he tells me about his inability to change in any way for the good. I told him that I disagreed that change was impossible. I said to him, "Let me tell you a little story about a man named Saul..." I went on to tell him about the bad things Saul did to Christ's followers and the type of man he was. I said to Michael that, "I'm sure if it had been left up to Saul he would have thought he couldn't change either... but lucky for him, and many others Jesus intervened and changed Saul's entire life!" I told him that while on the road, Saul saw a blinding light and Jesus actually spoke to him directly!! We were at work, so I couldn't go into the story much deeper, but I let him know that because of Jesus Saul DID change and ended up living a life completely dedicated to Him!! Wow!

Michael listened to me tell this story (I appreciated his sincere concentration, by the way), but still says he can't change. I just smiled at him and told him that was okay if he didn't think so, I said that I have an amazing "prayer team" and I'd make sure that I asked them to pray for him that he may be set free.

(then he wanted to read me my horoscope LOL go figure)

I post this blog, not to give myself glory - but to glorify my Father!! This was the first time that He used me to speak to someone, using actual scriptural reference, with complete CONFIDENCE that I knew what I was talking about!! This excites me SO MUCH!!

Praise Jesus, my awesome King, Savior, and TEACHER!!!

Thank you, Lord, for giving me the right words and the right example for Michael. I pray that those on my "prayer team" will keep praying for Michael, that he may experience, first handed, the glory that is God and see that through Him, he too can change in ways he didn't think possible.

Amen.