RE Verse reading–Acts 9:1-22, 26-28 (day six) ” This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (vs 15-16) The Lord made it clear from the start. Serving Christ is hard. Suffering is required. I wonder (sometimes) why it is included in the equation. Why did Jesus have to die? Why does He lead Saul (us) to “the fellowship of His sufferings”? Apparently there is no other way. Those who want to serve God, for others to be saved must be willing to pay the price of sacrifice and loss. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you. . .as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exaltation.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)
