Pray the words of this Lazaroo aloud, in gratitude…mixed with holy fear:

“Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor…I was shown mercy.”
(1 Timothy 1:13)

Thank You for showing Your mercy to Paul, Jesus.

Although You promise to punish persecutors

he sincerely repented
and You forgave him!

But that’s some serious mercy You showed him.
Persecution is an ugly business.

To hound someone
hunt them down
deliberately go after them with intent to harm?

Why would anyone do that?

I know You’ve warned me:

Because I belong to You
I will be persecuted.

There’s no escaping it.

Even though You were without sin
even though You did no wrong to anyone
people still persecuted You

exactly as they will do to me.

Which raises a scary question:

Since Paul once persecuted people
all the while thinking he was doing You a favor

am I doing that to anyone…

…for any reason?

If so –

stop me.

_________
Deuteronomy 30:7; Psalms 119:84; Matthew 5:10; Matthew 5:43-45; Matthew 18:7; Luke 11:49; John 5:16; Acts 8:1; Acts 9:1-5; Acts 12:1-3; Acts 13:49-50; Acts 22:4; Romans 12:14; Galatians 1:13; Galatians 1:22-24; 1 Thessalonians 3:4; 2 Timothy 3:12

What is Lazaroo?

Take Me Deeper

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.