"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" ( 2 Cor 5:17).
Saul was one self contended man going about his life mission. Born to a family deep in Hebrew traditions and educated by the best teachers of his time, there was not a trace of doubt who he was. In fact, one thing he could not stand was those who came and shared a different way of life. When a one Stephen dared to claim that Jesus was the true Messiah, he presided over his execution. After approving (Acts 8:1); "Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison" ( vv 3).
One day as he returned from one of his murderous missions, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:3-4). Saul lost his sight. After fasting for three days and night a man of God, Ananais, laid hands on him and he regained his sight.
That was a turning point. The once persecutor of believers in Christ would from there on be the one seeking those to convert. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests" ( vv 20-21).
The difference was that Saul had met Christ and seen his power..
Everyday there is someone on a Damascus road. And God is, just as with Saul turned Paul, revealing himself to such. For some it is a "Turning Point" yet there are those who just stumble along, regardless.
What is your turning point? Are you also just stumbling along save the fact God has revealed Himself to you! What will it take for God of the "road to Damascus" to meet you and turn your life around!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray for that turning point in my life and any who by your grace needs it that once touched by God mine and their life is never be the same, this I pray in Jesus' name.
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
