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November 19th

The bible reading today is in Acts 9 and 10.

So who was this Saul that was instrumental in the killing of Stephen...that deacon who was full of grace and power...whom Jesus used to demonstrate the presence and supernatural power of God in and around Jerusalem?

“But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭8:3‬

“And Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:1-2‬‬‬

Saul of Tarsus was breathing out threats and murder against the followers of Jesus. Anger and hatred for Jesus and his disciples was his breath. Murder and slaughter of men women and children who believed the Nazarene teacher was Saul’s breathing. He could not exist...he could not live without capturing, imprisoning, and slaughtering those who went by the name Christian.

But Jerusalem was too limited for him. He had to broaden his hunt...all the way to Damascus.

“Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:3-4‬

From ground level... what do we see? Something was happening “suddenly” to fire breathing Saul.

“Suddenly”...a man...a self-centered man...a sin-loving man was getting saved. From a darkened place in his soul, Saul is given the ability to see what he could never see up to now.

God sent divine light to Saul. His companions didn't see it, but Saul did...a light that gave Saul “heart eyes” and “heart ears” to see and hear Jesus. The light from heaven also gave Saul a “heart faith” to believe and desire the Lord Jesus.

Wow...so it is with a man that God intends to save. God takes the initiative. Others may not recognize God at work at first. But the one to be saved from his sins, he or she recognizes it. And soon others will.

Saul was blinded by the light and fell from his horse to the ground. And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And the Lord answered, “I am Jesus whom you are kicking against.”

And Saul asked, “Lord what would you have me do?”

What a turn around that was. Earlier Saul was advancing as hard as he could in hate and vengeance toward Jesus and his followers. Now he was broken and humbly asking Jesus what he would have him do.

What a change of heart was wrought in Saul by Jesus. That reminds me of Paul’s message to the church in Corinth...

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬

Back to the text...“Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:10‬

After Saul’s Damascus Road experience with Jesus, this story about the disciple, Ananias, stirs my soul the most. The Lord engaged his follower in a vision. Ananias heard Jesus call his name. And Ananias responded...” Behold Lord, I am here”...implying that Ananias was reporting for duty.

That’s the kind of response that I want to be ready to give my Savior God...wherever He finds me...whatever the assignment.

One more thing about a saved man...“And the Lord said to Ananias, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:11‬

One mark of a disciple is seen in Ananias...the spirit of “yes”...even before a disciple knows what Jesus wants of him, he has already said “yes” to the assignment.

And what did Jesus tell Ananias about the one-time destroyer of Christians? “He is praying.”

Another mark of a Christian?...his or her conversations with God in prayer.

What happened next? Well, that’s the rest of the story.

Have a good day