Blinded by the Light
In Acts 9 there is a great story of a powerful conversion. Saul is attacking believers and seems to enjoy bringing the church down. So God hits him with a bright light while he was on one of his "Punish the Christians" crusades and asks, "why are you persecuting me?" Everyone traveling with him was stunned...they heard the noises and saw the effects it was having on Saul but they saw nothing! Saul was spiritually blind and now, physically blind. For three days he had to be led around, unable to see yet still able to consider the question he had been asked. He ate and drank nothing.
Meanwhile God was still working his plan. In a vision he speaks to Ananias. To sum it up, he has a mission for him.
17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
All of a sudden, a transformation took place that would alter the way people approach God for all eternity. He began to swing the other way, to preach the Gospel and share the good news with others.His name would be changed to Paul and his influence would be extraordinary. This power that was provided him not only paved the way, it continued to make a way for God to get to the hearts of people all over the world. Ultimately, it had a great impact on everything.
31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
Today, we all need to be strengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit. It's how we grow in our faith. It's how we produce things that will last and it's how we live in holy honor of God. As the Michael Jackson funeral played on every TV network yesterday, all I could pray for was that one of these testimonies, one of these songs, a few of these prayerful words, would become a blinding light to the millions of people watching all over the world. A sudden yet poignant conversion that would dramatically change the course people were heading and propel them towards a decision to live for Jesus Christ. Imagine turning a nation around in a moment! it's been done before and God can do it again!
Do you need a time of peace today? How about some encouragement? I pray that you will be "blinded by the light" and that your heart will be fully turned and focused on the purpose that God has designed you for. You can SEE what God has in store when you allow His Spirit to lead you.
Meanwhile God was still working his plan. In a vision he speaks to Ananias. To sum it up, he has a mission for him.
17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
All of a sudden, a transformation took place that would alter the way people approach God for all eternity. He began to swing the other way, to preach the Gospel and share the good news with others.His name would be changed to Paul and his influence would be extraordinary. This power that was provided him not only paved the way, it continued to make a way for God to get to the hearts of people all over the world. Ultimately, it had a great impact on everything.
31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
Today, we all need to be strengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit. It's how we grow in our faith. It's how we produce things that will last and it's how we live in holy honor of God. As the Michael Jackson funeral played on every TV network yesterday, all I could pray for was that one of these testimonies, one of these songs, a few of these prayerful words, would become a blinding light to the millions of people watching all over the world. A sudden yet poignant conversion that would dramatically change the course people were heading and propel them towards a decision to live for Jesus Christ. Imagine turning a nation around in a moment! it's been done before and God can do it again!
Do you need a time of peace today? How about some encouragement? I pray that you will be "blinded by the light" and that your heart will be fully turned and focused on the purpose that God has designed you for. You can SEE what God has in store when you allow His Spirit to lead you.
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