The 'Hard road' and the road to Damascus

So this will be the first of hopefully many posts of my daily experiences in God's word. Now today in my devotional I read of something it when we think about it is quite frightening for us believers. As followers of Christ we aren't assured greatness and fame on this earth. In fact the Bible talks about the fact multiple times that we will be hated and peresecuted. Now this could be veiwed as some what depressing. Our actions for the Lord may not get noticed and we could DIE. Well yes there is that possibilty, but I thought about something when i was reading those verses. Who cares if my works bring ME greatness or bring me harm. Jesus says in Matthew 5:11 "Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me." We are suppose to take delight when we persecuted, why? Because it shows we're getting God's message out there and what is better then that. Let's not care about pain or fortune, but only for our Lord's glory. Then second part of today's post comes from Acts 9. now if your big on or good at scripture memorizing you may remember that this is the chapter of Saul's conversion. An I just love this chapter because it reminds me that God can touch the hearts of even the most unsuspecting people. In fact I knew a man who before he found the Lord had a lot of issues. He was very drowning in the world but then something amazing happened, he found the Lord. And those who knew him before his conversion were just in shock at the change in this man's life. He lived everyday for his Lord and savior, and he truly was a great example to our church. He recently passed away, but the extraordinary thing was you could easily see that God had a plan an a reason for his passing. Because after his death I have seen so much more real praise. I see more and more people not just singing the songs, but singing praise to their God. An I think he would be happy to see that his last action on earth, could be used for God's glory. so let's remember this, that when God is in some one's heart there can be nothing but true change. So don't judge by worldly appearances but by their love for God.