Corona Devo 1691
What’s the worst thing you ever did?
Wait...DON’T say it out loud!!!
But–we’ve all done bad things, haven’t we?
I know I have.
You know you have.
Does that mean that God doesn't want us? Love us? Or that God won't/can't/doesn't-want to USE us to do good things for Him and to tell others about Him?
~~~
Saul was a man whose life-story is told in the New Testament of the Bible, after Jesus had been born and died on the cross for us.
Saul was a bad man. Very bad.
We all have sin. We swear, we disobey our parents, we lie, we cheat, and take the Lord’s Name in vain, and we do worse things too, don’t we?
Saul was from a city named Tarsus, and his goal in life was to find, arrest, and (even) kill people that followed Jesus.
He hated Christians and people that followed “The Way” (which was what they used to call people who followed Jesus.)
Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. (2) He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. ~Acts 9:1-2
Saul was doing BAD things.
We do BAD things too (if we are honest with ourselves).
Do you think that God could change a (sinful) guy like Saul into someone new? Someone FOR God, instead of someone AGAINST God?
Do we think that God can change OUR hearts?
Can God meet us where we are at today, and (if we are willing)--Can God come into our hearts and make us new for Him?
The answer is YES! And this is what God and His Son Jesus are in the business of doing: Changing hearts and changing lives!
There is no magic potion or professional prayer needed to follow (live for) Jesus–we simply ask (pray) for Him to come into our heart–and He will.
But sometimes, people have a dramatic acceptance and experience with the Lord coming into their heart and lives.
It can come during a time of emergency, or fear, or even as you are walking down the road to Damascus to go and find Christians to harm (persecute) them.
As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. (4) He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
(5) “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.
And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! (6) Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
(7) The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one!
(8) Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. (9) He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. ~Acts 9:3-9
Jesus MET Saul on the road to Damascus, and He told Saul to stop hurting/bothering/persecuting HIM.
Saul was bothering followers of Christ, but this was personal to Jesus: “Why are you persecuting me?” Once we have Jesus in our hearts: we are His.)
Jesus wants to come into OUR hearts and change our lives for His glory, too.
To know the REST of the story–read it for yourself in Acts Chapter 9!
But basically, Saul’s friends had to hold his hand and lead him to Damascus (How embarrassing!).
And when he got there, Saul prayed to God for help. God heard him (of course He did! God hears every single one of our prayers!)
And God told a man named Ananias to go and help Saul see.
At first, Ananias said (something like), “Whoa, Lord! Saul is a bad dude!”
Ananias didn’t think that God would want to use Saul for His purposes after what Saul had done.
(Anyone ever feel like that?)
But guess what God said?
But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. ~Acts 9:15
God WANTS to use us, regardless of what our life was like before knowing Him. God chose Saul as His chosen instrument to take His message to the world, and God chose us for the same reason ans purpose.
God says this about US!
There’s nothing we’ve done or said or thought that He can’t forgive. Just ask Him, and He will, and then look out!
Saul was a changed man, and God changed His name to Paul.
Paul went on to tell TONS of people about Jesus and how He changes lives. Paul started churches and Paul wrote THIRTEEN books in the Bible! (Romans, 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon).
God can use us!
God wants to use us for His glory.
God loves us so much, no matter what sins we’ve committed.
Ask God to forgive you. Ask Jesus into your heart today, and then LOOK OUT at what God does in your life!
Lord, Thank You that You can use anyone, and that You want to use us for Your glory. We are sorry for the sins we have committed and please keep us strong in walking away from them.
Bring change in our hearts and lives today.
May we meet you on the road to Damascus today and right now.
Heavenly Father, make us Your chosen instrument to take Your message to others. You want to use us and we are willing. Amen.
sarah
https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com
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