May 29 - Because He Believed

Acts 9: 20-31

Like it or not, our past follows us. Humans tend to judge others on what they’ve done before. The famous quote, “The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior” carries a lot of weight.

This doesn’t mean that people can’t change. The Bible tells of many less-than-savory characters making bad decisions, who later become outstanding champions of Christ. Character transformation speaks to God’s ability to work miracles.

The fact that Saul became Paul is one of the most miraculous transformations in the Bible. Who’d have thought the angry persecutor would become one of the greatest Jesus supporters?! Today’s reading says that even the disciples didn’t believe it could happen. But then Barnabas stepped in and vouched for Saul. Barnabas believed in the Paul that Saul would become. He was Saul’s champion. Often, we just need someone to believe in us – to believe that change is possible.

Do you have a Barnabas in your corner or maybe you’re a Barnabas for someone else?

When our church started exploring the characteristics of a disciple, I thought of Barnabas. The name Barnabas means “Son of consolation or comfort/encouragement” which sums up who he was to Saul and who he was in Christ. Barnabas knew of the transformative power that comes to those who believe. “As you follow him (Jesus), you will find it changes the way you picture yourself and the way you imagine the story of your life.  Your heart, your mind, your hands, and your spirit will transform to be more like God’s” (Portrait of a Disciple, p. 7).

Our God is the God of transformation. Anything is possible. And because of God’s faithfulness in the past, we can predict with absolute certainty His unending faithfulness in the future.

Encountering Our Destiny

Have you ever experienced a Damascus Road Encounter, or a Burning Bush moment? Have you ever been stopped in your tracks and knocked off your horse, and blinded by an overpowering light?

Moses Encountered God at a burning bush, and the impossible became possible. God opened Moses' heart and mind to step outside side his comfort zone and change the world. It wasn't easy and Moses often questioned the wisdom of God to make him the rescuer the Israelites.

When we have a big job head of us, one filled with impossible challenges let's remember Saul and his encounter with Jesus. When roadblocks seem insurmountable and the mountains in front of us too high to scale, and we need a burning bush moment, remember how God used Moses despite his doubts.

What is it that has you in a state of panic? What worries have been heaped up in front of you? What is it that has you imprisoned in a cage of doubt or rage or terror? Human emotions are difficult to control or overcome. I have found that only by going to the cross, meeting Jesus at the foot of this cross, will I discover answers.

Just like Moses and Paul learned, an encounter God, and a Spiritual moment with Jesus changes everything. Paul was transformed into a Believer and one who fights for the truth and author of numerous books in the Bible. Moses was transformed into a deliverer of a nation. You and I can be transformed into disciples of Jesus who makes disciples of Jesus who encounter our Savior in His Word and through prayer.

Exodus 3:1-10

Acts 9: 10-15

The Story of Ananias

Who? The Journey Bible (NIV) describes him this way; Ananias: 1. The husband of Sapphira; he was struck dead for lying to God  2. disciple who baptized Saul  3. The high priest before whom Paul was tried in Jerusalem

So Ananias was in good standing with God, and then he wasn't, and then he was, and then he wasn't. That sounds familiar doesn't it!

At one point in his life, Ananias was used by God in one of the most significant transformations recorded in the bible-Saul converting from God hater and Christian killer to a Christ following disciple willing to speak out and suffer intensely in the name of the Lord. (Paul)

We all fall in and out of God’s favor, as we allow our human desires and tendencies to control our thoughts and actions.  His grace however, always remains and regardless of our sin, we can be used by God.

Ananias was instructed by God to go to Saul. He did not want to go. Ananias had heard about all the terrible things Saul had done and of his murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He did as God called him to do though, and through him, Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit and was changed.

It is difficult to imagine the Lord using us to deliver the Holy Spirit to others in this way, but it happens. Regular God loving folks like you and I are used as vehicles for God’s purpose all the time.  We may need to approach scary and uncomfortable people or situations for His purpose. We might be stretched far beyond our comfort zone only to feel our actions are futile, but often we are not meant to see the difference we make. The result of our actions may not surface for years, and perhaps we will never know one way or the other, but it doesn't matter. We are to simply  follow Jesus' example, and let the Holy Spirit guide us to where God wants us to be.

Live, Love, Reach out. Our actions may change the life of another,....... for eternity!

Read/Listen to Acts 9:10-15

Strength in Weakness

Samuel 23:15-29

David was an unlikely candidate for kingship in the eyes of many. He was young, naive, sincere, and inexperienced. All the things a strong and controlling man like Saul despises, yet just what the Lord desires.

David fled to avoid conflict and follow God’s will. Saul hunted him like prey. Does that sound familiar? 

Often as we attempt to do as our Lord commands, we feel scrutiny, attack, and disapproval from others in our life. At times we may even be attacked by our loved ones. Is this opposition truly coming from the hearts of our attackers, or is it perhaps instigated by satan and they have no defense against him? Does their lack of connection with Christ perhaps facilitate their need to lash out? These times require us to be strong in the Lord regardless of what others think or how weak we are perceived to be.

The bible says there is strength in weakness, and that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. Those who demonstrate a quiet, reserved nature are often perceived as weak, yet in reality they may possess a quiet strength and confidence that comes from deep within and they feel no need to put their solid personality on display. Their power needs no audience or attention. The Lord’s grace is enough.

So who would you rather stand with, the one with a robust personality who roars like a lion gaining personal attention and perhaps soliciting fear, or one who approaches life like a lamb, thoughtfully addressing each day as it comes and reaching out to others?

As we are sometimes “driven into the desert” let us remember that God may use challenging situations to grow and strengthen us for His purpose. We are shaped and molded like clay in God’s hands through our experiences.

Today is a great day to stand before the Lord and recommit to His purpose for us. Even when we feel weak, we are strong in Him.

Read/Listen to: 1 Samuel 23: 15-29

Stuff Happens

Stuff happens. (We’ve all seen the bumper sticker, except that it uses a more vulgar word than stuff.)

 

Many times something happens that makes it difficult to complete a task I need to do. These tasks could be God’s work, in support of my family, an assignment from my employer or simply something I find enjoyment in doing. Sometimes these difficulties cause me to chuckle while other times they are an annoyance. Still other times they have caused bodily injury or have been upsetting.

 

Saul Attempting to Kill David

Today’s text is 1 Samuel 19:1-10. David was popular among the Jews. Besides being good looking, he led the army and at one time single handedly defeated the Philistines. King Saul was jealous of David, and fearful David would overthrow him. Although he took an oath not to, Saul, when under the influence of an evil spirit, attempted to kill David.

 

Something  --  Saul -- was trying to cause David great bodily harm! David most likely was very upset with this event.

 

At times hindrances and trouble can seem to be daily events. Satan does all he can to make our lives difficult.

 

Adam and Eve brought sin into the world, and as a result, we suffer the consequences of sin on this earth. God reminds us frequently that we will be under attack from Satan. In the book of Revelations he further tells us that the Christian Church will be under attack from the time of Christ’s death until his return. Even today, thousands of Christians are being killed because of their faith.

 

At times, life will be difficult. There will be annoyances and bodily harm. Life will be upsetting for us.

The story of Saul and David has another message. Even though sin and evil spirits run rampant, God is still in control.

 

Satan can be an annoyance, or even harm us physically and emotionally. But he cannot harm us spiritually!

 

Jesus died on the cross so that we may have everlasting life with him in heaven. Our faith in Jesus is the best defense we have!

Saul’s Conversion

 Acts 9: 1-20

I have a few observations and questions I’d like to share:

I have  noticed that some people have to be hit up along side the head with a brick before they get it!

Many are hit up along side the head with a brick and still don’t get it!

How often do some people have to get hit up along side the head with a brick before they do get it? And finally, why is it that some people get hit up along side the head with a brick time and time again and never get it?!

Receiving a devastating blow can be the greatest blessing of our life, though at the time it is impossible to see.

Saul was known to be a mean, cold hearted opponent of the Christian faith. He “was still breathing murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples,” in Acts 9:1. While in the process of seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus from the high priest, granting him permission to capture and imprison anyone Saul found to be Christ followers, was literally blindsided. A sudden light from heaven flashed around him. Saul fell to the ground and heard, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” The Lord directed him to get up, go into the city, and he would be told what he must do there. Upon standing and opening his eyes, Saul found he was blind. Now that’s being hit up along side the head!

Saul was guided to Damascus by the hand, and for three days he was blind. In the mean time, a disciple named Ananias was called upon by the Lord to go to Saul, place his hands on him and restore his sight. Ananias was reluctant because he knew of Saul’s history. The Lord said to Ananias in Acts 9:15, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer in my name.” This was done, and Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit. Most of us know the rest of the story of Saul, otherwise known as Paul.

The message to Saul was very clear. Today not many people have the privilege of such an obvious and undeniable communication direct from God. We must quiet ourselves, feed ourselves from His Word, and P. R. A. Y.  

P-Persevere

R-Repent

A-Act

Y-Yield

Read/Listen to Acts 9:1-20

We Are A Lot Like Saul

Today’s reading, Acts 9:10-19, is about Saul.

Saul of Tarsus. Saul the Pharisee. Saul, the persecutor of the early Church.

Saul believed one earned his way to heaven by following laws. These laws were God’s Laws, plus the laws that the Pharisees made.  Christians, on the other hand, believed one made it to heaven by believing in Jesus. To Saul, this was heresy and the Christians had to be stopped, lest they lead Jews away from heaven. No wonder Saul persecuted the Church!

A funny thing happened on the road to Damascus. Saul had an epiphany, that is, an eye opening experience. Saul learned that the way to heaven really is through Jesus Christ, and not the law.

The biggest persecutor of the early Church became a Christian. Not only that, but Saul was God’s “chosen instrument to carry his name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” How could Saul do this? How could God accept Saul?

Before Saul left, Ananias baptized him. At baptism, the Holy Spirit entered Saul. The Spirit made Saul Holy, that is, acceptable to God.  His sins were forgiven, and remember, Saul had a rap sheet a mile long! Saul was justified!

Saul was also sanctified. The Holy Spirit provided Saul with everything he needed to accomplish God’s purpose for him. Not only was Saul acceptable to God, but he was equipped to carry out God’s Will.

We are a lot like Saul.

Our past may not be identical to Saul’s, but we also have a rap sheet of some sort. None of us can keep God’s Law, yet God still loves us, just as we are.

We get the same benefits that Saul got when we are baptized. Like Saul, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Our sins are forgiven. We are “right” before God. We are equipped to carry out God’s Will.

Maybe we will never get to share Jesus with a king. But we do have the opportunity to share our faith with our friends and neighbors.

Forgiven and equipped, we are a lot like Saul!

In the crosshairs

“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners ...” Acts 9:1-2

Saul was “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples” ... and Damascus was in his crosshairs.

He was a Pharisee and, by his own reckoning, “extremely zealous” and “intense” in his persecution of the church. How zealous? How intense? Convinced that he "ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth,” Saul, again in his own words ...

... persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it …
... went from synagogue to synagogue to imprison and beat believers ...
... arrested both men and women, throwing them into prison …
... brought prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished ...
... went to foreign cities to persecute the saints ...
... persecuted Jesus’ followers to their death ...
... cast his vote against those facing death ...
... tried to force the saints to blaspheme.

Imagine the fear of those at the end of the barrel of this singular-focus zealot. And Damascus was in his crosshairs.

But persecution wasn’t to happen that day, for the Saul who entered the city was a far cry from the one who set out for it. Consider the change ...

... he who tried to force the saints to blaspheme the name of Jesus now called him, “Lord” ...
... he who left Jerusalem with letters of authority entered Damascus, blind and led by the hand ...
... he who did all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus was now to become his “chosen instrument” ...
... he who intensely persecuted the church received his sight following the simple prayer of an obedient disciple ...
... he who learned from Gamaliel, the greatest Jewish teacher of his time, would carry Jesus’ name to the Gentiles ...
... he who went from one synagogue to another to imprison believers now preached in the Damascus synagogue that Jesus is the Son of God.

Such change just doesn't happen. But it did! It happened to Saul in an instant, around noon, to be exact, as Damascus grew ever larger in his sites. With a flash of light was a loud noise ... and Saul fell to the ground. For Jesus had him in his crosshairs.

We think we’re in control, but we’re not. We fear others are in control, but they’re not. We doubt God hears us, but he does.

For God reveals himself as he pleases, gradually to some and instantaneously to others; we have hope. God's love is as infinite as his power; we need not fear. God is sovereign over all things; we can trust him.

To read today’s entire text, Acts 9:1-9, click here.
To read more about Paul’s pre-conversion persecution of the church, click on the following verses: Acts 22:1-29; Acts 26:9-11; Galatians1:13-17.

Don't Lose Hope Acts 9:20-31

Is there someone in your life who you wonder if they will ever know Christ? Maybe they have rejected him for years and they seem perfectly happy doing their own thing. Perhaps you know someone who has been hurt in a way that has led them to question if a good God could actually exist. Maybe you are close to someone who is devoted to a different god and so you have given up ever thinking they will surrender to the One True God.

Don’t lose hope. Our scripture passage today shares the start of Saul/Paul’s ministry. Saul was a devout Jew set on the destruction of Christians everywhere. Never did the Christians in Damascus ever imagine that they would be lowering Saul in as basket in, an attempt to save him so he could preach Christ another day. That is exactly what happened though, because one day the God in heaven got a hold of Saul and changed him forever.

So, do not give up on your friend. Don’t stop praying for them and loving them because no one is beyond God’s grace and hope.

Read today's passage at Biblegateway Acts 9:20-31