Except for
Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.” ~ Acts 26:29
All of us have “exceptions” in our lives. I have things that I would never want someone else to carry or deal with. My desire is to help others grow in their love for God and to share His love with the people around them. That is what discipleship is. I teach others to love God and to walk in His purpose, and my hope is that I am becoming the kind of Christian others want to learn from. There are also things inside of me that I never want to pass on, things like insecurity, pride, or negative attitudes. These habits live quietly in many of us, tucked away where we hope no one else notices.
In today’s passage, Paul makes a statement that echoes something many believers feel. When he stood before King Agrippa, he boldly declared that he wanted every person who heard him to become like him, except for his chains. Paul was not talking about a flaw in his character. His except for had nothing to do with a weakness or a personal struggle. It was simply the place he was in at that moment. He longed for every person to know Jesus, to walk in truth, and to live with boldness, but he did not want anyone to suffer imprisonment as he did.
Each day I am given opportunities to share my faith and invest in the people around me, yet the only way I grow into boldness is by staying filled with God’s love and carrying a genuine desire to impact others. Paul lived with that passion. He wanted everyone to know the Father who changed his life. He carried a hope that every person would experience the unconditional love of God and encounter Jesus in life-changing ways. His desire for people to be saved was so strong that he prayed everywhere he went.
So what about us today? Are we filled with enough of God’s love that I want others to know the truth? Are we praying for people in our daily path to meet Jesus? Do we truly desire for others to know God’s unconditional love and experience it in real and practical ways? If not, we can start today.
Here are some things you can do to get started:
- Start each morning by praying for God to soften the hearts of the people you encounter.
- Ask God to help you speak with kindness, courage, and compassion.
- Choose one person each day to pray for intentionally.
- Study the word of God so your confidence in sharing grows
- Ask God to remove any spiritual chains that stop you from stepping forward
- Practice small acts of obedience such as offering prayer, giving encouragement, or sharing scripture.
Begin by asking God to give me a heart that longs for others to know Him. Set aside time to pray for open doors throughout the day. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your words and create divine appointments. Pay attention to moments where you feel a gentle nudge to speak or encourage others. End each day by thanking God for every opportunity He placed before you
Today I want to encourage you to ask God to prepare the hearts of the people around you and to give you the boldness to speak the good news with love and confidence. Pray for supernatural opportunities and simple ways to share Jesus. He has given you everything you need to be a witness, but it is up to you to take the steps. Start today by becoming the kind of Christian whose life inspires others to know Jesus, while letting God remove every chain that has held you back.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 26:24-32
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.
26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them;
31 and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”
32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Journal:
- What do I believe is my own except for and how has it affected my confidence?
- Who is one person I can pray for today to come to know Jesus in a deeper way?
- What has kept me from being bolder in sharing my faith?
- What steps can I take today to become the kind of Christian I want others to imitate?
- Where do I feel God inviting me to step out in courage this week?
The Daily Dose 