Best Family Devotional from Family Ministries

Life can be busy. Messy. Chaotic. But, in the middle of it all, it is vitally important for families to emphasize times of spiritual development. Regular devotions can greatly increase the spiritual health and well-being of any family. And while we likely recognize the importance of our family engaging with God’s Word, we also understand that making this a priority is not always easy.

This family devotional will help. Included are fifty-three lessons, one for each week of the year plus a bonus lesson. The material covers the major sections of Scripture with a focus on the most familiar stories, events, teachings, and prophecies. As we walk together through God’s Word using this devotional, we will draw closer to Him despite the busyness of life.

The Family Devotional Excerpt: The Conversion of Saul

Acts 9 gives an account of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, who would later be known as the apostle Paul. Up until this point, Saul rejected any belief in Jesus. Instead, it was his ambition to hurt everyone who did. Traveling from place to place, he hunted, imprisoned, and even killed Christians. Then one day, on a mission with special letters of endorsement from the high priest to arrest any of Christ’s disciples in Damascus, God suddenly stopped Saul in his tracks. A dazzling light shone so brightly that it seared Saul’s eyeballs. Astonished and trembling, he fell to the ground and heard a loud voice demanding, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

Jesus didn’t ask, “Why are you persecuting these people?” Rather, He asked, “Why are you persecuting Me?” Click To Tweet

An important lesson can be learned from this question. Saul truly believed he was acting on God’s behalf by persecuting these “wicked” people. But Jesus didn’t ask, “Why are you persecuting these people?” Rather, He asked, “Why are you persecuting Me?” Contrast this with what Jesus prayed as He was being nailed to the cross. He didn’t take the soldiers’ actions personally; instead, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”

However, Jesus took it personally when He saw His people being persecuted by Saul; He reacted as though it was being done to Himself. This parallels Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25, where He says, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40, NKJV).

Can you think of anyone less likely to be saved than Saul of Tarsus? Yet Saul, despite all of his faults, was doing these terrible things with pure motives. He loved God and was pouring his heart, soul, and strength into doing what he thought was right. It’s important for us to realize that pure motives and good intentions will not save us. While our motives are certainly important, it is our obedience to God’s Word that will ultimately save us. Although he didn’t know exactly who was speaking to him, Saul recognized heavenly authority in this voice and showed his submission by asking, “Who are You, Lord?”

The reply pierced his soul: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting!” Can you imagine how Saul must have felt? Everything he had done, believed in, and worked for had all been wrong. It’s difficult for us to admit being wrong, even about something small, but this revelation turned Saul’s life upside down!

Saul obeyed the voice of Jesus immediately.

We can learn a valuable lesson from Saul’s response on the road to Damascus. When confronted with correction, he didn’t stubbornly refuse to obey God’s command. Although he trembled with astonishment, Saul obeyed the voice of Jesus immediately. He showed a humble heart by obeying everything Jesus told him to do. When we hear what God’s Word tells us to do, it is vital that we do not hesitate but obey its commands.

Think about It

Imagine that you were a Christian during the time of Saul’s persecution. How would you have felt if you heard the story of Saul’s conversion? Would you trust the report? Would you believe the man who had been persecuting Christians was now a believer himself?

Application

God does not want anyone to be lost. He loves each of us with all of His heart, and His greatest desire is that we would receive salvation. More than anything, Paul needed to repent, to be baptized in Jesus’ name for his sins to be washed away, and to receive the Holy Ghost so he could be transformed into a brand-new person. And we need to do the same today.