“Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 9:22.
Saul had been used to opposition and was a trained debater. After all, he had been a Pharisee who “sat at the feet of Gamaliel,” and, by his actions, he seemed to be comfortable with confrontation. After meeting Jesus on the road, Saul was transformed in his heart, yet he still had the gift of being a powerful debater, but this time, on Jesus’ behalf. Very early in his journey with Jesus, Saul would go up to the synagogue to argue and debate with the Jews of Damascus. As this verse shows us, he “grew more and more powerful” is his ability to show that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. This gift that was in him, which had been used to disrupt the followers of Jesus, was now being used for Jesus’ purposes.
While Saul was able to grasp and use his gifts quickly, I have noticed, in looking back on my journey with Jesus, that it has taken several years for me to become more aware of God’s gifting in my life. Even though it has taken so much time, I am grateful to have realized some of the gifting that God has given me, and I am continuing to learn and embrace more about His gifting. Instead of looking back in disappointment on the time that I wasn’t using my gifts, I am grateful for His helping me to see how I am gifted, and I am looking forward to His use of them through my life in the future.
Questions to consider: Are you aware of how God has gifted you? What are the gifts you have been given, and how are you using them? How could you use them in the future?
Prayer: Father, thank You for putting me together the way that You did. Help me to see my unique gifting with the same vision that You have for me, and help me to follow through in using these gifts for Your kingdom. Amen.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
July 23, 2009 - Acts 9:21
“All those who heard him were astonished and asked, ‘Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?’” Acts 9:21.
Reputations are a strange thing. Saul was going into the synagogue at Damascus to speak out concerning Jesus, who he now believed to be the Son of God. Saul’s audience is “astonished”, shocked that this man, who once took prisoners in this name, was now speaking out so strongly in favor of this same name. Saul had a reputation with these people, and he was now heading in a completely different direction.
When I became a follower of Jesus, I knew that I was different, but was insecure about telling those whom I knew and believed differently than me. I lacked boldness in my new relationship with Jesus. It took me awhile to come to the place of not caring as much about my reputation as I did about the message that I carried. I was learning (and am still learning!) to be more concerned about what He thinks of me than of what the people around me think of me. Saul learned that lesson right away and was gifted to step right out in boldness to proclaim the One who loved him and freed him from his past reputation.
Questions to consider: Has your reputation, or the way that you have perceived yourself, held you back? If so, how has it? Were you blessed, like Saul, to have the boldness to speak right out, not caring what people thought and only caring what God thought? What are your thoughts regarding reputations?
Prayer: Father, I am so grateful that I only have to “play” to an audience of one – You. Help me to speak in boldness regarding Your message of love, not being as concerned about what others think of me, but only what You think of me. Amen.
Reputations are a strange thing. Saul was going into the synagogue at Damascus to speak out concerning Jesus, who he now believed to be the Son of God. Saul’s audience is “astonished”, shocked that this man, who once took prisoners in this name, was now speaking out so strongly in favor of this same name. Saul had a reputation with these people, and he was now heading in a completely different direction.
When I became a follower of Jesus, I knew that I was different, but was insecure about telling those whom I knew and believed differently than me. I lacked boldness in my new relationship with Jesus. It took me awhile to come to the place of not caring as much about my reputation as I did about the message that I carried. I was learning (and am still learning!) to be more concerned about what He thinks of me than of what the people around me think of me. Saul learned that lesson right away and was gifted to step right out in boldness to proclaim the One who loved him and freed him from his past reputation.
Questions to consider: Has your reputation, or the way that you have perceived yourself, held you back? If so, how has it? Were you blessed, like Saul, to have the boldness to speak right out, not caring what people thought and only caring what God thought? What are your thoughts regarding reputations?
Prayer: Father, I am so grateful that I only have to “play” to an audience of one – You. Help me to speak in boldness regarding Your message of love, not being as concerned about what others think of me, but only what You think of me. Amen.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
July 16, 2009 - Acts 9:18-19
“Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.” Acts 9:18-19.
Ananias, in obedience to God’s instruction, laid his hands on Saul, praying for his healing, and immediately Saul was healed! His first act after his healing was to be baptized as a follower of Jesus. Finally, because he hadn’t eaten in three days, he ate food and regained his strength. It is interesting to me that the first thing he did after his healing was to be baptized. This is very significant, in my mind, in that it indicates where his heart was now focused. His mind and heart must have been transfixed – riveted – on Jesus, and his blind state created a condition where he could do nothing else but focus on Jesus. It was in this blind state that Saul could finally see. . . really see.
I remember the days when, even though I could physically see, I did not have the heart-eyes – the spiritual eyes to see God. Those days were confusing, rudderless, and without purpose. Since my heart-eyes have been opened and I see Jesus more clearly, I have a keener sense of what I am here to do. That is not to say that I don’t have my struggles. I certainly do! It is just that I realize that God is always with me, and the “food” that I take in to strengthen me is from God’s kitchen.
Questions to consider: Have the scales fallen from your eyes? If not, what needs to happen for them to fall away and to see with new heart-eyes? If so, are you drifting back to the old “food” to nourish your body or are you seeking the new “food” that nourishes your soul and spirit?
Prayer: Father, please give me heart-eyes to see You and to seek You, and to continue to see You and seek You. Well up a burning desire within me that wants to do nothing other than what You want me to do. Amen.
Ananias, in obedience to God’s instruction, laid his hands on Saul, praying for his healing, and immediately Saul was healed! His first act after his healing was to be baptized as a follower of Jesus. Finally, because he hadn’t eaten in three days, he ate food and regained his strength. It is interesting to me that the first thing he did after his healing was to be baptized. This is very significant, in my mind, in that it indicates where his heart was now focused. His mind and heart must have been transfixed – riveted – on Jesus, and his blind state created a condition where he could do nothing else but focus on Jesus. It was in this blind state that Saul could finally see. . . really see.
I remember the days when, even though I could physically see, I did not have the heart-eyes – the spiritual eyes to see God. Those days were confusing, rudderless, and without purpose. Since my heart-eyes have been opened and I see Jesus more clearly, I have a keener sense of what I am here to do. That is not to say that I don’t have my struggles. I certainly do! It is just that I realize that God is always with me, and the “food” that I take in to strengthen me is from God’s kitchen.
Questions to consider: Have the scales fallen from your eyes? If not, what needs to happen for them to fall away and to see with new heart-eyes? If so, are you drifting back to the old “food” to nourish your body or are you seeking the new “food” that nourishes your soul and spirit?
Prayer: Father, please give me heart-eyes to see You and to seek You, and to continue to see You and seek You. Well up a burning desire within me that wants to do nothing other than what You want me to do. Amen.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
July 9, 2009 - Acts 9:17
“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 9:17.
Ananias, obeying what he believed to be God’s instructions, went to the house where Saul was staying. All that he understood about the situation was what he believed God had spoken to him. Upon arriving, to his great relief, he discovered that Saul was present and in need of hearing a word from the Lord, as well as in need of a healing touch. It is evident that Ananias knew exactly what he needed to do next, and he prayed for Saul’s eyes to be healed and that Saul would be filled with the Holy Spirit. I am certain that there was great rejoicing in this moment for all of those involved!
There have been times when I believed God wanted me to step out of my comfort zone and to do something risky for Him. But I must admit that I was never confronted with a potentially life-threatening situation similar to the one Ananias faced, at least not that I know of. Yet, in the midst of risking it, I have felt the nervousness and insecurity of possibly being wrong – and not hearing correctly from God. It almost paralyzed me to the point of inaction, but I pressed on. In most of those situations, it did not necessarily work out the way that I thought that it would, but rarely would I say that it was the wrong thing to do. I usually have learned valuable lessons and have grown as a result of taking the risks.
Questions to consider: When is the last time that you sensed God nudging you to do something risky for Him? Did you do it? How did it work out for you? Are you open to its happening again?
Prayer: Father, help me to have a heart that is willing to take risks when I sense You calling me to do something risky. Help me to get out of my comfortable, safe place in order to serve You in a deeper, more meaningful way. Amen.
Ananias, obeying what he believed to be God’s instructions, went to the house where Saul was staying. All that he understood about the situation was what he believed God had spoken to him. Upon arriving, to his great relief, he discovered that Saul was present and in need of hearing a word from the Lord, as well as in need of a healing touch. It is evident that Ananias knew exactly what he needed to do next, and he prayed for Saul’s eyes to be healed and that Saul would be filled with the Holy Spirit. I am certain that there was great rejoicing in this moment for all of those involved!
There have been times when I believed God wanted me to step out of my comfort zone and to do something risky for Him. But I must admit that I was never confronted with a potentially life-threatening situation similar to the one Ananias faced, at least not that I know of. Yet, in the midst of risking it, I have felt the nervousness and insecurity of possibly being wrong – and not hearing correctly from God. It almost paralyzed me to the point of inaction, but I pressed on. In most of those situations, it did not necessarily work out the way that I thought that it would, but rarely would I say that it was the wrong thing to do. I usually have learned valuable lessons and have grown as a result of taking the risks.
Questions to consider: When is the last time that you sensed God nudging you to do something risky for Him? Did you do it? How did it work out for you? Are you open to its happening again?
Prayer: Father, help me to have a heart that is willing to take risks when I sense You calling me to do something risky. Help me to get out of my comfortable, safe place in order to serve You in a deeper, more meaningful way. Amen.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
July 2, 2009 - Acts 9:15
“But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.’” Acts 9:15.
Ananias, a follower of Jesus who lived in Damascus, was called by God to go to the house where Saul, (soon to be Paul), was staying. Ananias was understandably hesitant because of Saul’s reputation, and he responded to God in manner that appealed to His reason. In response, God tells Ananias to “Go!” and gives Ananias a brief vision of the calling on Saul’s life, in service to Jesus.
I appreciate the fact that God doesn’t just say “Go!” to Ananias, without any further explanation. This might have conveyed that God was frustrated with Ananias. Instead, it seems as though, while urging Ananias along, God allowed him to see some of what He had in store for the life of this man who had tormented the early followers of Jesus. Even though He didn’t need to do it, God brought Ananias in on what was to happen to Saul. And God firmly told him to get going to the house where Saul was staying.
Questions to consider: Have you sensed God speaking to you, urging you to do something? Was there a time sequence related to it, such as what Ananias experienced? Did you follow through with it? If you haven’t had that happen to you, would you like for that to happen? What would it take?
Prayer: Father, thank You so much for being involved with us in such a personal way that You, on occasion, speak directly to us, as You did with Ananias. Help me to have ears to hear You, and a heart to obey. Amen.
Ananias, a follower of Jesus who lived in Damascus, was called by God to go to the house where Saul, (soon to be Paul), was staying. Ananias was understandably hesitant because of Saul’s reputation, and he responded to God in manner that appealed to His reason. In response, God tells Ananias to “Go!” and gives Ananias a brief vision of the calling on Saul’s life, in service to Jesus.
I appreciate the fact that God doesn’t just say “Go!” to Ananias, without any further explanation. This might have conveyed that God was frustrated with Ananias. Instead, it seems as though, while urging Ananias along, God allowed him to see some of what He had in store for the life of this man who had tormented the early followers of Jesus. Even though He didn’t need to do it, God brought Ananias in on what was to happen to Saul. And God firmly told him to get going to the house where Saul was staying.
Questions to consider: Have you sensed God speaking to you, urging you to do something? Was there a time sequence related to it, such as what Ananias experienced? Did you follow through with it? If you haven’t had that happen to you, would you like for that to happen? What would it take?
Prayer: Father, thank You so much for being involved with us in such a personal way that You, on occasion, speak directly to us, as You did with Ananias. Help me to have ears to hear You, and a heart to obey. Amen.
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