No matter what you’ve done, there is forgiveness found in Jesus. Call upon His Name in your confessions and you shall be saved. Paul, who was once called Saul is one of the many people who was deep into sin, but still had another chance at being saved. Even was he against God’s church and put many saints in jail before finally seeing a light from God, in order to wake him up. And it wasn’t just to stop a wicked man but to do a one-eighty in his life, where he would serve God instead of fighting against Him. Praise God that this happened. This is how it all began, “and Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” (Acts 9:1-5) And so we have Saul being stopped in his tracts by Jesus, of whom he spoke so many things against. This must have felt like many arrows piercing his heart at that moment. He must have felt terrible after having persecuted the true God all this time. But what happens next is remarkable.
The story continues, speaking of Paul, and reads, “and he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.” (Acts 9:6,7) As you can see, his whole mindset changed at that moment. While trembling because of the fear of the Lord, he rightly asked Him what he needed to do next. Where he received instructions to go into the city, and even more instructions would come later. This is so amazing and I wish more people would react the way Saul did. There was no longer anything inside of him that wanted to harm God’s people, but do what their God and his God now would lead him in. It was Ananias who had a vision from Jesus about Saul, and thankfully he also did as God said and went to his house, in order to restore his sight. It is recorded, “and Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” (Acts 9:17-18) Wow! This was the beginning of Saul’s ministry for Jesus, who became Paul. As you continue to read in acts and his letters to the saints, you will see his faithfulness to Jesus, who he once persecuted. Praise God!
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that more people will see dreams, visions, and other things that can only come from heaven, in order for them to do a one-eighty and be saved. Also, send people into their lives who are true Christians, and even a good Christian church. Then, can these people learn from the best Christians how to live a life pleasing for You, God. It is my desire that more people would have the heart to serve You, but I am afraid that doing this is frowned upon by too many people in the time I am living in. They think that going forth and doing as You say is a work, so they say it is not needed. Wow! Do they not realize that we were created unto good works? Yes, God. I understand what Your holy Word says about having faith in You unto salvation, but that true salvation is shown by our many good works for You. And not just this, but it is a life lived for You. Thank You for showing me the truth and that You are looking for people who will live out their entire life for You. Not just a portion of their time. One day, I know that I will come before You and You will be looking at what I did before I took my last breath. Other things will not matter if my lamp was not lit with the Holy Spirit when I leave this earth. And when I finally see You, face to face, will I rejoice, even with great joy. I can’t wait for that day, but until then, please do lead me by the hand. Continue to do a mighty work in my life, that many people will see the Father in me and be saved. I love You, Jesus. I praise Your Holy Name. Amen.
