By Andrew Williams – December 14, 2021
As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? ” “Who are You, Lord? ” he said. “I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting,” He replied. “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Then Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.
Acts 9:3-6, 8-9 HCSB
Good morning fellow disciples.
As we look at this passage, we see that Paul had an encounter with God that marked the beginning of the the changes in his life. I’m sure that Paul heard the gospel many times before that, but did he accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior then?
Did he have life changing encounters when he heard the gospel before. No! No he did not!
So what was the difference this time? This time he actually heard God’s voice and he actually fell under the power of God. And because of that he realized who God was and who he was in comparison to God. He realized that God was speaking to him, and he realized that what he was doing to God and God’s people was wrong.
Where are you today in your relationship with God? Have you heard the gospel and have not responded? Have you heard the gospel and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? Have you heard the gospel, accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, but still have not had a life changing encounter with Him?
Have you accepted the Lord had a life changing encounter and then backslidden? Do you have life changing encounters with God, one after another that brings you into deeper and more abiding relationship with Him?
Today, as you spend time with God, don’t just go there and say: “hey God, how you doing? OK, I’ve spoken, now I’m going.”
Spend time with God to listen to Him, get to know Him, and to get to understand His word. Spend time with God, surrendering and submitting to Him. Spend time with God cleansing yourself and getting rid of all the strongholds and all the barriers that would keep you from hearing from Him.
Seek an encounter with God that will bring you closer to Him. Seek an encounter with God that will draw you out of your sinful and religious lifestyle, into one that is totally surrendered and submitted and obedient to God.
Prayer: Father God, I want life-changing encounters with You. I’m tired of living in a sinful way. I’m tired of being religious. I want to know You! I want to live my life fully for You! I repent of my sins, God. I now submit and surrender my life totally to You.
I pledge to serve You obediently from now on. Father God, reveal Yourself to me and change me from the inside out. I want to be a new person. Kill the old me and resurrect me to be the new creation that You have always wanted me to be. Amen