'I Need A Blessing': Acts 26:15-18 (Kindness)

Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Kindness?

Read Acts 26:15-18:

“‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Have you ever been given a gift that you did not feel worthy of?

If so, describe what happen and how you handled it.

Go to 'DOCUMENTS' and read Oswald Chambers' comments on Acts 26:15-18.

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Oswald states:

"God’s first sovereign work of grace is summed up in the words, “...that they may receive forgiveness of sins....” When a person fails in his personal Christian life, it is usually because he has never received anything. The only sign that a person is saved is that he has received something from Jesus Christ."

How do you know when you have received something directly from Jesus? How is this different from having an intellectual understanding of His teachings?

Oswald continues:

"Our job as workers for God is to open people’s eyes so that they may turn themselves from darkness to light. But that is not salvation; it is conversion— only the effort of an awakened human being."

Do you agree?

Oswald adds:

"I do not think it is too broad a statement to say that the majority of so-called Christians are like this. Their eyes are open, but they have received nothing. Conversion is not regeneration."

How would you explain the difference between conversion and regenerations to another Christian?

Oswald states:

"When a person is born again, he knows that it is because he has received something as a gift from Almighty God and not because of his own decision. People may make vows and promises, and may be determined to follow through, but none of this is salvation."

How frequently have you witnessed others confuse their commitment to Christ with having received their salvation?

Oswald continues:

'Salvation means that we are brought to the place where we are able to receive something from God on the authority of Jesus Christ, namely, forgiveness of sins."

Would you like to enter this place of receiving from Jesus right now?

First, take a moment to imagine that you are standing in front of the living Christ.

Once you see Him, look at Him and confess all your sins of doubt, uncertainty, lack of faith, unbelief and mistrust.

Pour yourself out to HIm. Confess all your rebellion and betrayal.

If you wish, you can write out your confession in the space provided.

Now imagine that He looks across to you and says :

'My child, by my sacrifice on the cross, you have been forgiven all these sins. More than that, you have been forgiven all your sins, past, present and future. All the sins you are aware of and all the sins you are not aware of. Every one of them, no matter how hideous or unforgivable you may think your particular sins may be. They have been paid off forever. Please accept this, my love-gift to you.

As with any gift, I cannot force you to accept it. You may choose to not believe in it. You may choose to think yourself unworthy of it. But I am asking you, here today, to not do that. I am asking you to receive what I have for you. I asking you to receive my gift, the forgiveness of your sins. Are you willing?'

How would you respond to Him?

Write your answer in the space provided.

Is there anything you would like to thank or praise God for?

If so, you can do so privately or in the space provided.

How much of His gift of salvation, the forgiveness of your sins, were you able to receive?

Keep in mind that the receiving of your salvation is not a one time event, but an ongoing process.

In Philippians 2:12, Paul says that you must 'continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling'. He means we must take this work seriously -as if our eternal well being depends on it, because it does.

For that reason, this Trail is now in your library for you to schedule as often as you like.

Are you willing to return to it whenever you need to receive God's gift to you?

How much has this Trail increased the fruit of Kindness in your present disposition?