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According to Luke?s historical record (Acts 9:1), Saul, armed with arrest warrants for those of the Christian Way, departed Jerusalem on his way to ancient Damascus. As he drew near that city, a light brighter than the noonday sun suddenly engulfed him. A voice inquired: ?Saul, Saul, why do you continue to persecute me?? {{more: continue …}}?The double use of his name suggests a reproof (Matthew 23:37; Luke 10:41; 22:31). Saul responded: ?Who are you, Lord?? The title ?Lord? was employed at this point as a term of respect, for he knew not who had addressed him.?
The voice was identified as Jesus of Nazareth! The persecutor was instructed to enter Damascus where he would be informed as to what he ?must do.? Blinded as a consequence of this miraculous vision in which Christ actually appeared to him (9:17; 1 Corinthians 15:8), Saul was led into the city.
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For three days he fasted and prayed. Finally, Ananias, a messenger who had been selected by God, arrived. He restored Saul?s sight and commanded him to ?arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name? (Acts 22:16). After this, the former persecutor began to proclaim among his fellow Jews that Jesus ?is the Son of God? (see Acts 9:19-22).
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When Jesus comes into your life; when you open your heart and mind to receive Him; when you surrender your will and your way and allow Him to lead you and guide you; God will change you. You have a new walk an a new talk. You walk by faith and not by sight. The crowd you used to hang around is no longer in your life. Your greatest heart’s desire is to be more and more like Jesus. You want to grow in His Word and walk in His Will.?
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We see God’s grace in our lives. God?s grace pours out love, kindness, favor to all who will trust Him. You don?t have to earn it. You just have to be in relationship with Him to receive His grace. The more we grow in our love and relationship with Jesus, and the closer we get to Him, the more He will begin to change us from the inside out.
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See you on Sunday as we explore Saul’s conversion in Acts 9.
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“I don’t know how, but I know WHO!”
Thanks Be To GOD!
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Peace,
Pastor Nelda
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