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Day 14 Acts 9:1-22 Acts 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 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. 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecute thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecute: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 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. 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. 10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prays, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. 17 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 came, hath sent me, that thou might receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, God works in mysterious ways. When you go about your work, expecting one thing, and another happens, much better than you expected. When a family member is sick beyond hope and suddenly recovers, astounding the doctors. When life changes for the better, and you didn’t do anything to change your circumstances. Then you claim God’s mysterious ways. Saul was on his way to Damascus to seek out and arrest more people who believed Jesus was their Messiah. However, Jesus had other plans for Saul. A bright light knocked him from his horse and Saul heard Jesus speak to him. In that moment, Saul’s life was forever changed. As Christians, you had a life-changing experience with Jesus. Your life changed in an instant, and you were never the same again. What was your Damascus Road experience? What brought you to your knees, seeking Jesus as Savior and Lord? Everyone has a story to tell, how they came to faith in Jesus Christ. God’s mysterious ways were at work in your life. When you came to the cross, you found someone prayed for you and you were never the same again. God sent Ananias to Saul and Saul went from praying to believing. And the rest is history. The church hasn’t been the same since. Who are you praying for? How long have you been praying? Don’t give up. Everyone needs God, though not everyone knows they do. Let’s pray: Father, thank you for saving me, and showing me how much You love me. Help me show others and pray for others to know You as I know You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 25 January 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay