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Details: Swindoll's book on the Apostle Paul is the 6th in a series of Bible characters and in my humble opinion, the best character study so far. Among the important points Swindoll covers include: 1. Biblical examples of people who waited long period of time before being used greatly by God.
2. An independent spirit does not please God - He much prefers the humble and broken-hearted.
3. Exceptional work is preceded by extended waiting and 4 principles for trusting God while waiting in the shadows (this alone was worth the price of the book).
4. While boasting about our weakness is not popular in today's culture, life is about God, not us!
5. 3 perspectives to have when in a strong disagreement.
6. Sometimes turnmoil, hardship, and persecution means you are in the middle of God's will.
7. 4 excellent points to consider for powerful preaching.
8. Be careful of letting your subjective experiences be your ultimate guide in life - God's Word is much more reliable!
9. Effective ministry and opposition go hand in hand.
10. Patterns of behavior and observations about heroes who stand up while everyone sits down.
11. 4 anchors to hold on to during stormy times.
12. 7 exhortations for faithful service. The points above are only a few of the many encouragements you will get from this gem of a book! Having read several of Swindoll's books, this one may be my personal favorite! Read and be encouraged in the Lord and hang tough like the Apostle Paul did! Highly recommended. |
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Details: Charles Swindoll presents not just a biography of Paul, but also gives practical examples and applications of the principles that guided Paul's life so that the reader can also examine his or her own life, and apply these principles. Paul is introduced as a brutal persecutor and enemy of Christ. Yet by Grace he was redeemed and became the gentle apostle. This shows that no matter how dark our past is, how wretched we are, we are not outside the reach of God's wonderful and amazing grace. No one is beyond hope and no matter what you've done you can have a new beginning in Christ. Swindoll also tells of the seemingly insignificant people in Paul's life, the Ananias who was called to go to Paul while he was blinded, and the unnamed disciples who helped him escape Damascus in a basket, Aquila and Priscilla, two tentmakers who shared Paul's trade as he made his way on his journeys. Each of these people are part of the fabric of God's plan and purpose making a difference in someone else's life. God can use the most humble, broken vessels and do great things with them because it is His work and purpose. Therefore a lesson is that you never know whether the little act you did had a place in a much larger purpose, such as lowering Paul over a wall in the basket resulting in bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles and to the uttermost parts of the world. Be faithful in the little things and let God work the big picture. These and other examples, such as leadership, contentment, facing extreme circumstances, leaning on God's strength, etc., can all be gleaned out of Paul's life. Charles Swindoll does a wonderful job of weaving the biography with these insights. The best way to read this book is alongside your Bible. Before you're done with this book, you'd also be through the book of Acts, parts of each epistle, and end with 2nd Timothy, as you'll appreciate what was going through Paul's heart as he is waiting for his homecoming. 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: From a self-righteous persecutor to the humble apostle, Paul's life shows how anyone can be redeemed by grace, and fight the good fight through grit, where God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. 2nd Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. |
out of 20 Reviews
