FROM SAUL TO PAUL
Today’s Scripture: And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Acts 9:4-5, ESV
Theme: When faced with the undeniable truth about God we can either seek understanding, submit to the truth, and move to change the world or remain blind.
NEW MASTER
Saul (later Paul) ran smack dab into reality on the Damascus Road. An exalted and glorified Lord Jesus brought a sudden stop to his raging jihad. Recognizing that the letters to arrest Christians in his pocket had been trumped by a Higher Authority, he asked meekly, "Who are you, LORD?" He met his new Boss, and He wasn't the same as the old boss. Jesus gave Saul new orders (and later a new name): Get up, stand, be a witness of Me, go where I send you, open eyes, and alter the trajectories of lives. Because of Paul’s faithfulness, salvation spread throughout the known world. Because he acted on what God showed him, the Gospel spread to the gentiles, and you and I now can be included in “the chosen people” of God.
CELEBRATIONS IN HEAVEN
Obedience is a hard word. It means that I am going to have to subordinate my will to someone else's. It means that I have to defer to someone else's agenda rather than pursue my own. Obedience results from the unavoidable realization that someone else gets to wear the "I'm the Boss” button and that there is a relationship in which I am the follower, not the leader. But obedience leads to joy. Just as Paul suffered, he also rejoiced that many came to know the Living Lord. Jesus Himself said that all of heaven rejoiced when one lost soul came to faith. That makes our obedience and the hard work of submitting to God’s plan worth it!
Make It Personal: In what areas do you feel you have suffered, sacrificed, or given up your plans (or stuff) for God? Have you ever not been repaid in full by His blessing, peace, promotion, or success? Have you ever celebrated because your decisions led to something great? As our Cove Mission Statement says, “At The Cove Church, we will introduce our friends to Jesus, learn to follow Him, and celebrate His presence in our lives.”
Pray: God, help me to see You clearly. Let the “scales” fall away from my eyes so that I too can follow You, unimpeded by the things that distract. You changed Saul so completely that he was almost unrecognizable. Thank You for being the God who sees and redeems even the most messed up people, even me. Amen.
Read: Acts 9:1-22; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:3-10; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Memory Verse of the Week: “Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.” 1 Chronicles 29:9, ESV