What's Your Story? (Pt. 2)

Damon West has a dramatic story that has more in common with the Apostle Paul's story than most. If you haven't heard it, you should check it out.

What's Your Story? (Pt. 2)

"And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' So I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'"

(Acts 22:7-8)

Damon West has a dramatic story. After being caught by SWAT after burglarizing multiple homes in Dallas, TX, he was sentenced to 65 years in prison. He was hooked on meth and his life had spiraled out of control. He will tell you he had a blessed life growing up. His parents loved him and provided a stable home in which he was raised. He was an outstanding quarterback and went on to play at the University of North TX. But his life took a horrific turn the day he tried meth. It only took one time, and he was hooked. He details his story in his book, The Change Agent. He writes in graphic detail what his life was like in prison for seven years. He was a broken man, and in prison, he surrendered his life to God. The Lord saved and changed Damon. He was released on parole, and today he is happily married with a family and is traveling all over America sharing his remarkable story.

It was wonderful to get to speak with Damon about his testimony on episode 258 of our REvangelical podcast, which you can watch here:

...or listen to on your favorite podcatcher via the links on this page.

Damon's story has more in common with the Apostle Paul's story than most. I did not have that kind of background. In fact, I was very religious when Christ saved me. Perhaps you can relate. Maybe you came to know the Lord as a child, like my wife Ashley did. She was just 10 years old when she became a Christian. She says she knew that God loved her, that she loved Jesus, and she did not want to go to hell when she died!

Acts 22:7 says Paul fell to the ground, and the voice of Jesus said his name twice for emphasis and asked him a powerful question. For Paul to persecute Christ's followers was equal to persecuting Jesus, and that is a strong word of blessing for the church of Jesus in any age. He loves and identifies with His people. In verse 8, Paul asked the Person speaking who He was; was He the Lord? The early church referred to Jesus as Lord, and here Paul is asking if it is true: "Are you the Lord?" Jesus responds by telling him who He is and who Saul is. Jesus is the risen Lord of heaven and earth, and Saul is a sinner persecuting the Savior by seeking to destroy His church.

This was a powerful confrontation by our Lord. And it is a critical moment of crisis for Saul. Will he surrender and believe, or will he continue in his obstinate unbelief and persecution? Only 6% of adults come to faith in Jesus Christ after the age of 18. I believe most adults come to Christ during a moment of crisis, when they realize their desperate need for God, as Paul did.

How about you? What is your story? God loves you and desires to forgive you and have a relationship with you. When you turn to Jesus like Paul did, the Lord will meet you and change you.

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Podcast of the Week

Let's Talk Story

Everyone loves a good story! God has embedded within the human mind and heart enjoyment of great stories. Jesus knew the power of stories, sharing parables throughout his ministry. In this episode, Pastor Danny discusses Paul's account of his testimony before a very hostile crowd, what we can learn from it, and how we can be bolder and better about sharing our own testimony with others.

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