“And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.” Acts 9:17-18 NKJV
I am sorry, that was a huge spoiler! But SO GOOD!
Today is the 22nd Day of February (2), the year 2022. And it is my son’s 25th birthday. For his birthday, please say a prayer for him that like Saul, the scales will come off his eyes and he will turn his life back to Christ.
Today, is also significant as many threats and world leaders have noted things will happen on the 22nd.
Today is also significant because of countless prophecies about the date 222. But it actually has 6 of the number 2. I would love to look up the meaning of the numbers – but I do not want to go down that rabbit hole, but rather I want to dig into the Word!
But I am curious about what, if anything, will happen today. Whatever happens, or doesn’t happen, is still under God’s permission and God is still in control – and because I have a relationship with God, there is nothing to worry about. My God will protect me and provide for me.
RELATIONSHIP:
Do you already have a relationship with a powerful God who cares about your every need because He loves you? Did you know my God can communicate with you and protect you – He has a plan for you to prosper if you just submit to His will and let His plan play out in your life!!! God wants a relationship with you and has already made a plan for your life. He loves you so much He sent His son to this world, to die as a sacrifice for your sins and rise from death with victory over sin and the ability to have a personal relationship with you.
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 NIV
Here is a prayer for you to pray:
Jesus, I believe you are the way, the truth, the life, and the only way to the Father. I believe you are the son of God, you came to Earth and lived. That you died on the cross as a sacrifice for my sins, and rose again so that I may be saved from my sins and be able to get to know you. I declare: Jesus, you are Lord!
Therefore, I confess that I am a sinner and I ask that you forgive me of my sins and come into my life. Help me to turn away from my sins and transform me into what you have lovingly created me to be. Help me through a real personal relationship grow and accept your will for my life – that I may live in your blessings. Please walk with me, and talk with me – I accept a relationship with you and with our Father God, through you. In the name of Jesus I pray ~ Amen
BIBLE READING:
Dear Heavenly Father – Please give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of who you are, who Jesus is, and who the Holy Spirit is. Open the eyes of our understanding, please, so we may know the hope of our calling and the vast sovereignty and power of the grace of the cross. Please do not let us miss out on what you want and need from us today. Lord, I pray that your word prepares us and not scares us! We forbid the works and influences of fear over your word and our sound mind. And please keep us and bless us and shine your face upon us and pour out grace over us and give us peace! Thank you! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Today’s reading is the Book of Acts chapter 9 (embedded below for your convenience in the NKJV).
The Damascus Road: Saul Converted
9 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [a]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Ananias Baptizes Saul
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much [b]harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children[c] of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord [d]Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Saul Preaches Christ
20 Immediately he preached [e]the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”
22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
Saul Escapes Death
23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.
Saul at Jerusalem
26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists,[f] but they attempted to kill him. 30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.
The Church Prospers
31 Then the [g]churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified.[h] And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
Aeneas Healed
32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Restored to Life
36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named [i]Tabitha, which is translated [j]Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. 43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.
Footnotes
- Acts 9:5 NU, M omit the rest of v. 5 and begin v. 6 with But arise and go
- Acts 9:13 bad things
- Acts 9:15 Lit. sons
- Acts 9:17 M omits Jesus
- Acts 9:20 NU Jesus
- Acts 9:29 Greek-speaking Jews
- Acts 9:31 NU church . . . was
- Acts 9:31 built up
- Acts 9:36 Lit., in Aram., Gazelle
- Acts 9:36 Lit., in Gr., Gazelle
MEMORY VERSE CHALLENGE:
Matthew 5:16- “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
STUDY/DEVOTIONAL:
Not only is today important to my son, prophecies, and politics (and maybe more) – but today is an important reading. It is important because Saul (aka Paul) was just a man, doing human things that were acceptable for the time, and he was 100% transformed into a man of God and leader of the Christian Church. And because it happened to him – it can happen to anyone! Each of us have a different story, but God designed us with different jobs and purposes and our stories help us fulfill it. And just because you did not go blind for 3 days while traveling, and hear the voice of Jesus, does not mean God wont take whatever you have been and turn it around 100% to become something beautiful and powerful in the Kingdom of God! He killed Christians – what have you done that makes you think God can’t do it for you? Cause it cannot be as bad as Saul (aka Paul). God does take the ashes of our lives and make us Beautiful.
I do want to talk about verse 4 – because it shows an attribute of Jesus that I find so precious. Let’s read it again:
“Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
The key word I want to focus on is “Me”. Saul was persecuting the Christians. But Jesus says “Me”. It is such a beautiful thing that he see’s us, having taken upon himself all of our sin and death and had it destroyed and he still has empathy to the point where we are “Me”.
Now, DO NOT twist this. I am not saying we are god… oh no!!! I am saying He loves us and has so much empathy that he also took on the persecution, like he took on the sin and death. Jesus shares in the burden, He carries it too.
Many have heard the footsteps in the sand story – where a guy goes through a hard time and looks back and sees one set of foot prints and says to Jesus: why weren’t you walking next to me during the hard time? And Jesus say: I was carrying you. Well – the truth is He isn’t just carrying us at those points, he has taken our plights upon himself to help carry the load. He says to cast our cares on him (in Psalms) because he can carry them. He can also do something about them. This is so good to know. Financial burdens? Toss them to Jesus (and ask for his help, otherwise it is kinda rude) and he will carry them, feel the stress of them and help. Yes feel it. Need to forgive and heal from a deep pain? Same process, give it to Jesus – he will feel it with you and help you.
Jesus is our advocate (1 John 2:1), or intercessor (Romans 8:34 & Hebrews 7:24-25), and our mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) between us and God the Father.
Now that was radical! Let’s look at it from a traditional Jew’s perspective. Only the priest can meet with God and that requires purifying and sacrifices and what had become ritual. God cared deeply for His people, but they suffered and he was aloof in their eyes. His promises take generations to come to pass. Now, through Jesus each and every one of us can access God and have a relationship with Him – NOT only that, but Jesus is going to go to bat for us in the throne room, asking on our behalf, advocating for us, and mediating between God and us if need be. Jews had heard about the Garden of Eden and humans having a personal relationship with God – but the restoration of it was just too radical for many to believe. It is important for us to fully understand this and fully appreciate what it is we have in Jesus, as well as it will help us witness to others.
And you say, witnessing is hard and makes you and them uncomfortable. My friend, if that is how you feel, know it is a valid feeling for someone who is asleep, dried up, or even spiritually dead (done lied to yourself, making believe you are a Christian). But let us look at what it looks like for those who are alive and well and know in him they believe: Like Saul and Ananias here in Damascus.
You think telling your friends about Jesus is hard? Ananias had to go lay hands on the guy who came to that town to throw him in jail and possibly kill him.
You think telling people about Jesus is hard? Paul immediate when to the synagogues and told them about Jesus! And he was so excited about meeting Jesus that he wouldn’t shut up – so his old friends plotted to kill him and he had to sneak out of the city in a basket. (Good thing historians believe he was a short man.)
So if you have a real relationship with Jesus, you are compelled to speak it to others, no matter what – even in the face of possible death. Do we have that kind of real relationship with Jesus that makes us want to share? If not, maybe it is time to rededicate yourself to him and draw in close to God!
And now we get to Saul retreating to join the Christians in Jerusalem (where he KILLED Stephen!!) And rightfully so the Christian were afraid of him and he needed intervention to get with them.
So let’s talk about fear. Mostly because our earth is blanketed with fear right now – many have overcome it, but it is still here and trying desperately to find a new stronghold. (expect more of that in the future). We feared Covid, and look how silly we became. We feared losing our jobs and put poison in our bodies. We is being used as the universal masses. We feared and our rights were taken away. And the early church in Jerusalem feared and almost missed out on all the writings of Paul in the New Testament as well as their most traveled missionary (according to the texts we have).
You see God was already protecting them from Saul, all they needed to do was put fear away and listen for God – trust God. Like we only had to put away fear and we would have remembered that God protects us and I we caught covid, He would heal. Or trust The Provider not the provisions – our jobs do not provide for us, God does. If we held onto peace and let it guard our hearts and minds – we would have more liberty and abundance by now.
God sent Barnabas to intervene and get Saul in. But as you can imagine, Saul had to run for his life again. He fled all the way to Tarsus, His home town.
My final insight for the day is coming from verse 31:
“Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.”
Let’s talk about the period of time when they had peace and we edified. When Saul quit persecuting the church, others stepped up and into the roll. There were still men going around and throwing men and women in jail. Saul was still a wanted man and was being hunted. Life was still difficult and persecution was still alive. So what switched to make them feel so safe? I would say it was the second sentence of the verse: “And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit”. I have talked at length about waling in the Spirit and dwelling in the secret place. When you are consumed by your relationship with God and the church and are comforted by the Holy Spirit, things outside just do not hold the same power and you lose sight of them.
For example – remember last spring when all sorts of bad things were happening around me but couldn’t get in to me? Like my tenant got badly hurt on the property (but God protected me from a lawsuit as well as from physical harm and it happened to him instead). Or like the house being vandalized but no major damage was done. Outside was chaos trying to get in (so much more I never shared) but inside my home was filled with peace and comfort and God took care of most of everything before I even found out there was a threat.
A better example may be a story we read about in Matthew 8: 23-27 – Jesus climbed in the boat and the disciples followed. Jesus laid down and fell asleep. A storm came and everyone was screaming and crying and praying and thinking they were dying! Everyone except Jesus – peacefully asleep in the boat. As we had read this, we know Jesus woke up and calmed the storm and rebuked the disciples for their lack of understanding. The point today is that Jesus kept his peace in the storm. Honestly that is a level of keeping peace that I do not know if I can obtain. But THAT is a goal!!
Finally Peter was visiting all the spread out places of believers and healed people and raised Tabitha from the dead. Amazing stuff!! And not to downplay Peter’s work. We aren’t going to unpack it. We have so many juicy bites today, I will stop here.
But one final sweet treat, for dessert: Repent. Get humble. And develop a real relationship with God. One full of life and fire – that compels you to witness.
Last Friday was a very eventful day in world politics and they say today is supposed to be as well – but do not let it all distract from our mission. People are stressed, lost peace and hope, and hungry from truth. They need a real and mighty God. We must “Go ye therefore” – meaning we must tell other about Christ. I have taken steps to make it easier for you. Share the social media posts (they are scripture verses and we know the word of God does not return void). Share these blog posts. When telling other what Jesus did for you and they want to be “saved” – the salvation prayer is right at the top, pull out your phone and open this blog and there it is to help you walk them through it. But there are still plenty of things you can do on your own as well. Souls are what is most important right now. No matter what, let your light shine.
***
Thank you for reading in 2022 – a Year of Wisdom and Salvation
May the God of peace keep you and bless you. May you stay focused on Christ and covered in grace.
Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!
If Not For Grace 