Tag Archive | Damascus

Zeal For God Or Me?

Apr29

As I was thinking about being “zealous” for God, the Apostle Paul came to mind. Am I devoted to God and His ways? Am I zealous according to God’s word or my own ideas and ways?
*recommended reading: Acts 9:1-31

Now Saul (later called Paul), still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Acts 9:1-2 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/act.9.1-2.NASB1995

Paul (Saul) was on mission. Zealous for God. He believed he was serving God until he had an actual encounter with God. Then his mission changed.

As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;
Acts 9:3 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/act.9.3.NASB1995

Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
Acts 9:8 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/act.9.8.NASB1995

Paul (Saul) was zealous for God without truly knowing God, without walking in His way, His truth.

Have you had an encounter with God? Is His word a part of your day so as to walk in His truth?

The day of Paul’s encounter with God changed everything. God’s word became real. Paul understood. Paul was a changed man. He began walking according to God’s design for his life instead of his own idea for his life. Paul surrendered his life to Christ for God’s way.

Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit.

And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized;
Acts 9:18 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/act.9.18.NASB1995

Paul returns to Jerusalem.

🌹And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.
Acts 9:28 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/act.9.28.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Saul’s Testimony

Sep25

Saul giving His testimony of the occurence found in Acts 9:1-31

“But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’
Acts 22:6‭-‬8 NASB

The words, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ had never really struck me before until yesterday at church when the Pastor pointed out that Saul, at that moment surrendered his will. He called Jesus, Lord! He yielded to this superior voice.

But there is more, like the conviction I experienced when Saul, a persecutor of the Church, would be helped by the very people he was on a rampage to destroy. . .

But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
Acts 9:13‭-‬14 NASB

Ananias was directed by Jesus to go to Saul and help him.

How would you have responded to Jesus telling you to go to Saul?

If you were Saul, how would you have responded to the help from the church you were out to destroy?

We can be zealous for God but let’s not turn that zelousness into persecution of others. Let us, with prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit, help one another on the road to reconciliation.

Zealous Saul was changed. Do we believe God can change a person? Do we trust God and walk along side this person as we journey?

Some things to think about. I know I will be evaluating my walk as I ponder these thoughts.

🌹Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Jesus Is

Dec2

Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ. — Acts 9:19-22

The power of Christ in us. He can transform anyone. No one is beyond His power to transform. No sin is beyond His power or compassion to forgive. Simply by humbly confessing Jesus Christ as the Son of God and admitting that it is really only Him who can give forgiveness and life.

Won’t you allow Jesus into your life and let Him transform you? You’ll never regret it.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon