Saul's Transformation

Acts 9 starts the beginning of a great man Saul, who wrote much of the new testament. As you probably already know Saul was persecuting the saints of Jesus Christ and on his way to Damascus in verse 3 a light shone around him from heaven.

Acts 9:4 Then he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"

:5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."

:6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city and you will be told what you must do."

The first thing that Saul knew when he saw the light from heaven and fell to the ground that he was speaking to God. I don't doubt that he believed in many gods being taught and growing up under a Roman culture but when he heard God's voice he said Who are You Lord? And God told him Jesus whom you persecute. Other times in the Bible God told those who he was calling "I am God the only God." but in this case He said I am Jesus.

In verse 6 Saul asks what do you want me to do and God responded "go into the city and you will be told what you MUST do." Now after this encounter Saul was completely blinded and had to be lead by hand to Damascus. I believe this is how we all are when were called or receive a word from God. We have no idea of where to begin or even how to make our prophecy come to pass, this is when we need to allow those around us who also witnessed our word to lead us. God knew it was important for Saul's entourage to hear the word as well so they wouldn't persuade him to turn back or trick him into going somewhere else. But they had the fear of God instilled in their hearts and they probably said among themselves I don't know whats going on but we better do as God has told Saul or we may be next.

Acts 9:11 So the Lord said to him "being Ananias a disciple at Damascus." "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of judas for one called Saul of of Tarsus, for behold he is praying."

After receiving a word from God we need to follow Saul's example and be in prayer and seeking God's guidance. Saul sought and fasted for three days without food or drink as well as without his sight. Although Saul was without his physical sight he was also without spiritual sight and knew not the next steps God had for him so he sought the Lord and God called Ananias and also gave Saul a vision

Acts 9:12 "And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight."

God then called Ananias to go to Saul..

:16 "For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake."

And when Ananias arrived to laid hands on Saul

:18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

Directly after this encounter Saul began preaching Jesus Christ in the synagogues that He was the Son of God.

As Saul was persecuting the church, God called him and Saul heard Jesus' voice and obeyed; but he wasn't told what to do next. For three days Saul fasted and prayed being blind both physically and spiritually until he received a vision of God's disciple laying hands on him to receive his sight after receiving his sight he was baptized and began fulfilling the call of God in his life. Saul didn't know everything he had to do to begin the work of God, but God spoke to him a little at a time and Saul even had to seek God for guidance. These small steps help Saul's faith begin to grow and little by little he became a great servant of God and wrote much of the New testament but he had to be lead by those around him who heard the word of God, he had to seek God for guidance and received a vision, his sight had to be imparted to him from Ananias a disciple of God and lastly he began preaching Jesus.

This process happened very quickly for Saul but each step was important and had to be taken one at a time. Imagine what Saul would have been if he had said "OK I received my word I'm going to begin preaching in the synagogues." before Ananias had imparted to him his sight?

Giving Unto Our Ministers

Many times as I look at pastors, youth leaders and visiting pastors I automatically feel their needs are met and they have everything they need to carry the gospel and preach the word. But the fact is we are called to support our pastors and visiting pastors and provide nourishment for their needs. In Philippians 4 Paul talks about the Philippians sending aid

Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

:17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

:18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

Paul clearly stated I am not seeking your gifts, in fact I don't even need them but I seek to see God's fruit abounding for you. He also referred to the giving of the people as a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

This is a powerful scripture, how shall they preach unless they are sent? And also I believe there is more to this scripture, because many times in travel preachers would probably have to walk and had to wear uncomfortable sandals if any covering at all so their feet were probably covered with cuts, bruises, scars and blisters all filled with dirt. So originally Isaiah knew that they had to give up comfort and deal with pain and sacrifice to bring good news, and while many would say their feet were ugly Isaiah said "How Beautiful are the feet..."

Now back to Philippians 4 referring to giving to ministers

Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Next time we are faced with a situation to give and bless our pastors remember what sacrifice they have made and how they depend on our support and that our gifts are a sweet-smelling aroma an acceptable sacrifice well pleasing to God.

Scripture Being Twisted

In my reading today in 2 Peter 3 I came across a scripture that sadly, is exactly what is happening in today's church.

2 Peter 3: 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

One concern you should have as a Christian is whether or not scripture is being interpreted the way it should. If there is anything that you have heard taught that didn't sit right with your spirit; right down the passage and read before the verse and after the verse slowly until you understand the context. Then put yourself in the seat of the writer and try to understand what he was trying to say in the context of the rest of the scripture around the verse. Look for symbols, themes or even irregularities. For example 1 Corinthians 14: 34, this scripture has been used for centuries as to why woman should be silenced in the church, but many biblical scholars have disagreed on this issue. If you read the entire chapter ever verse relates to speaking in tongues or prophesying but :34 and :35. The context can then be said to be woman should not be permitted to speak in tongues or prophecy not that they should not speak at all, and it can be further interpreted that maybe it was just in one incidence at the church or Corinthians. Because this one scripture is to hard to comprehend it isn't wise to base doctrines off of it.