Good day dear friends.
We continue to pray for all who are on our church's prayer list. We
also lift up Robin Brown, who is in good spirits but needs our
prayers for healing. For Jo Ann Small in a rehab hospital in
Luling, TX, far from church family and loved ones. For Barbara
Carson in ICU at CTMC. Also, prayers of healing and comfort for
Trician and Tommy Hays of Lexington, KY. Tricia experienced a
miscarriage and we ask God comfort her and Tommy. Tommy is a member
of our conference and he and Tricia were in Corpus for our annual
conference session. And our annual conference made statewide news
in that over 148 people got sick at the conference (we made the 6
o'clock news in Corpus and Ft. Worth!), and the state is
investigating the cause of these illnesses. From our delegation,
Nellie, Kim, Kate McWhirt, Leslie Tomlinson, and myself were sick.
Pray for healing of those who may still be ill.
The text for today is from Acts 9:1 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing
threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the
high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at
Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or
women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he was
going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven
flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice
saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 5 He
asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you
are persecuting. 6 But get up and enter the city, and you will be
told what you are to do." 7 The men who were traveling with him
stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8
Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could
see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into
Damascus. 9 For three days he was without sight, and neither ate
nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Anani'as.
The Lord said to him in a vision, "Anani'as." He answered, "Here I
am, Lord." 11 The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street
called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tar'sus
named Saul. At this moment he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a
vision a man named Anani'as come in and lay his hands on him so that
he might regain his sight." 13 But Anani'as answered, "Lord, I
have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to
your saints in Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the
chief priests to bind all who invoke your name." 15 But the Lord
said to him, "Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to
bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of
Israel;"
One of the most dramatic stories of new beginnings is perhaps the
one least expected. What we could have expected from someone like
Saul of Tarsus was a successful life as a hater of Christians. And
his hate was based on his love of religion. He saw a need and a
solution to this need: Rid Judaism of those preaching Jesus, for
this was hurting their religion. And the best way to rid themselves
of Christians was to arrest them and even put them to death.
I've always been impressed with Saul of Tarsus for what he had
accomplished up to that point in his life. His was young, well
educated, politically and religiously connected, and served the
church as a lawyer. What more could he have wanted? Well, the
answers my friends, is that the Lord wanted him. Jesus saw in Saul
something that could benefit the Kingdom of God. You see, Saul was
wrong in his fanatical approach to his religion. Our God and the
God of the Jews, is a God of life, not death. To go around seeking
to imprison those who disagree with us is not God's way. Yet, in
Saul he saw the promise of what could be.
The story is a dramatic one. Jesus knocks Saul of his high horse,
blinds him with the radiance of His presence and allows him to
rethink his religion and relationship with God. This is a new
beginning if ever there was one. From a faith that believed only in
the form of God, to a faith that now knows the power of God. From a
faith that searched the written word to a faith that experienced the
Risen Word, Paul comes a long way. Paul now knew a living, loving
God. And this God revealed to Paul even what he was to suffer for
the sake of Christ. And still Paul said yes.
How can you say anything else when you've come face to face with the
power of God? How can you say No to the love of God?
Saul found himself in a new beginning of faith that started with
prayer and reflection. Three days without eating or drinking
anything, just time in prayer. And not just the "Dear God, here is
what I need" sort of prayer, this was TWO-WAY prayer. It was during
this time that Jesus revealed to Saul all that he would need to
begin his ministry. Jesus talking, Saul listening. Saul talking or
asking, Jesus listening.
What new beginnings do you need for your life? Is your prayer life
a two-way conversation with God? Have you slowed down enough to
allow God to speak to you? Have you spent quiet time with the Lord
so that distractions don't keep you from hearing what He has to say
to you? Don't wait to be knocked off your high horse! Listen today
and start a new beginning today!
PRAYER: God of new beginnings, help us to start anew our
relationship with You. Let this day indeed be a day of new
beginnings. Let us listen with new ears, see with new eyes and love
with a new heart. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
