Saul/Paul

Acts 9 - As [Saul] journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one... And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 

I'm so struck by this story of conversion. It was instantaneous. Saul saw as the world saw. He was totally blind to the truth of Jesus. He persecuted Christians for their beliefs. So God had to physically blind him to make a point..to get him to the place of believing, to a place of humility and then raise him up! The light [of Christ] shone around him from heaven! That's what happens. I think of the man born blind. This man did not know how he was made to see but he knew that he once was blind but now he saw...and a certain Man did it.

Here's Saul. He was now made blind but, three days later, he was able to see again. And he changed completely. The Lord gave him a new name too, Paul. Saul meant asked or prayed for. Despite the meaning of Paul's name--small--he would become a prolific speaker and preacher because of this impressive conversion experience. God can use the small and insignificant people or things... (Even though I am untrained in speech, I am not in knowledge...2 Corinthians 11:6)  He may have been small in stature, but he also considered himself of no account without the wisdom from above. He also knew where he had been and where he now was--a giant step forward. Just goes to show where we can come from nothing but when used of God we are great in His eyes.

There are many people in the world this has happened to and still yet to come. When nothing looks possible, that's when it's most possible for God. He can take the most obstinate person and make a change. That impressive change is to glorify God because others will say, What in the world happened to the old so and so! People will take notice. They might even listen to the newfound beliefs. I sort of wish this had happened to me...I've changed but not so impressively. Rats!

God's timing is perfect. When all seems hopeless for this situation or that or this person or that, if your faith is as small as a mustard seed, and if you plant seeds yourself, if you follow through in prayer, your Saul could become a Paul! 

A friend gave me a delightful little homemade gift one day which I framed. It's a reminder, both of a discussion we had and a great declaration we can make. It says:  Call those things which do not exist as though they did. It is the last part of Romans 4:17.  I pray for a voice! In a way it would be I my own Saul/Paul conversion. (Although I've heard my voice on tape and think how it might be best for me to keep my thoughts on paper!)

The Lord declared a lot of things. In Christ we can do the same. If it's in the Bible, it can be. The Bible, the Word, Christ...can be all things to all people. He can transform. Here are a few declarations:

Genesis 1 - And God said...and it was good.

Isaiah 42:8-9 - I am the LORD, that is My name...Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Psalm 81:10 - I pray, open my mouth wide and God will fill it. (This is for me!)

Proverbs 16:3 - I commit my actions to the Lord and my plans will succeed.

Ephesians 2:10 - For I am God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for me to do.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Arms Outstretched

2Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 

I was reading a devotion about morality this morning and how society has defined it in these current days. How society has changed moral values, even making laws regarding them, and continues to do so, as they see fit. Laws that need to be adhered to. The Bible is very clear on all issues, but I'm not so certain all our leaders understand this. Well, one thought led to another and as I started putting my thoughts on paper, even those thoughts evolved into something unexpected, yet related (I think).

What stood out in the article for me was Jesus' mission. He came to earth not to mingle with the so-called elite but with those of less standing. He came for you and me and to proclaim what is true. But, you might say, I'm a good person. I'm a good husband/wife/father/mother/employer/employee/provider, etc.  I know others who are not so good. Which law tells us this? We are not to compare ourselves with others...because none are righteous! All need Jesus. All.

Jesus was looked upon by the religious leaders as blasphemous. Can you imagine that? Jesus! They were pretty high and mighty in their thinking that their knowledge of the laws of God made them superior. So much so that they could not see Jesus for who He truly was. Who was HE to think He was better than they...and yet somehow they knew He spoke with authority and wisdom, which infuriated them and threatened them.

These leaders commanded everyone to adhere to their laws, though they, themselves kept having to create new laws to prevent the original law from being broken, or putting a fence around the law. They, too, struggled. If they had listened to Jesus they would have understood that even they were not capable of maintaining their so-called goodness/righteousness. No one is righteous...not one. Jesus was proclaiming even they needed a Savior, which fell on deaf ears, as happens today. And the laws of morality keep changing to suit the current demands of the day so as not to offend or cause anyone to feel guilty or "bad." Because, after all, we are all "good" people, aren't we?

No one is NOT in need of Jesus. No one. He spent His time with sinners and included religious leaders in this mix. And He gave of Himself for them...for us. He selflessly gave of Himself. He reached out to those in need. He did not turn anyone away, although He would rebuke those who thought they knew better. He's still doing that. 

Until we know Jesus in the depths of our souls, He will keep poking our spirits. I have been thinking these past few days for some reason about something I know I've written about before. The day before I received Christ I was still believing very adamantly that I didn't need what I didn't know then was called a relationship with Christ. I knew of Him, believe He lived, died and rose again. But the idea of getting any closer was not on my agenda. What for? 

I can mentally see my arms stretched as far outward as possible pushing Jesus, who was calling me, wanting me to become His, away. Pride, I know now, was the reason. I was doing fine on my own. What was all the hullabaloo about Jesus? I could manage my own problems, which just wasn't true. I didn't need to be any closer. I didn't need anyone prompting me to come to church, to just give it a try. I didn't need anybody telling me what to do. I just didn't! So I pushed away. 

But like Saul who became Paul, a change was to take place in an instant. In an instant. An instant. Like the Damascus Road experience. I remember the agitation I felt about (what I perceived as) the confrontation with my sister-in-law. She was gentle in her words, as she always is, but I viewed them as nagging. Stop bringing this church thing up to me, was probably what I was thinking.

Then the words that changed me from resisting to giving in happened, without warning and with great confusion, she said: I hear God's voice. In that instant, those outstretched, pushing arms became almost an inward collapse to my knees with tears and words I cannot believe I said: I want that! Where did that come from? Who could have ever guessed my resistance could have been broken in an instant. I was toast!! The next day despite how strong I thought I would be in that church service, I melted like wax. Jesus became my Lord, my light and my salvation. Replacing my outstretched arms were His outstretched arms welcoming me into His kingdom, to my kinship with the Lord Jesus Christ. 

This can happen to anyone at any time, and not even in church! Why some resist, or how, is beyond me. It just ain't their time, I guess! But that's okay. The Lord's timing is always perfect. He's always right on time. All the struggling, all the resistance, only brings a greater fall. Either we fall into Jesus' arms or to our own devices and failure. Which is it we want to do? Jesus is not the crutch so many believe He is. He is our strength, our wisdom, discernment, peace...and most of all our salvation.

I'm thankful He didn't give up on me. His timing IS perfect. It always will be.

Titus 1:1b-3 - ...according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at His appointed season He has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior...

Truth Revealed

Ephesians 3:8 - To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ...


What a mouthful of scripture, but so rich in its content. A scripture came to mind as I sat outside to spend some time with the Lord. Right now I can't recall which it was but it took me into the Book of Ephesians. I read chapters 1-4.


The Apostle Paul was talking to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus. There was a note in my margin which said that saints meant anyone who believes Jesus Christ is Lord. Paul's history was he had once been Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor of Christians, whose name brought
terror...and now he was so totally on fire, so sold out to Jesus, but he feared not for his life and often preached from prison for his preaching Christ.


I absorbed the words that followed. Paul was describing to the Ephesians what happens when one receives Christ. It's what is available to any who choose to bow to the Lord Jesus Christ, who desire relationship with this Man.

• God chose us before the foundation of the world (those who would receive Christ)
• We were predestined for adoption by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will (this is a very great privilege!!)
• We have redemption through His blood, forgiveness of sins according to His grace
• He has made known to us (as true believers) the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure
• We will be gathered together in the last days with all others with the same conviction and beliefs
• We have an inheritance because of this predestination 
• He has worked all things according to His will
• We trust in Him because we have heard the truth about salvation
• We have been sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise upon our conversion and this guarantees our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession (in other words, until Jesus returns, our inheritance is secure...as long as we maintain our trust and faith in Him)
• God is rich in mercy and love and it is because of this we have been made alive...no longer dead in our sins, which is the way of the world
• We have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus only, a gift from God
• Works will not save us because we are liable to boast about the good we've done
• Upon salvation we are created in Christ Jesus FOR good works which God has prepared for us
• He alone is our peace
• Jesus alone has taken away the wall of separation between God and us and granting us peace
• We have overcome eternal death when we received Jesus
• This is for all people; once anyone has received Christ we become one body through the power of the Holy Spirit
• Christ is now the chief cornerstone in the new body of Christ, those who have received Him
• We are fellow heirs through Christ, of the same body, partakers of His promise

Paul knew nothing about these things when he was Saul of Tarsus. He fought against Christ and against Christians. But now he relishes in the the mysteries of Christ which have been revealed to him through his miraculous conversion on the road to Damascus. He needed to be blinded before he could see. This is each and every person before they come into true contact with Jesus Himself, when He calls and one receives. When that call is heard and a heart is moved into receiving His call.

What will it take for the world to see? The world, for the most part, is blind. What tragedy will have to take place before God opens eyes to see Him for who He is? What mysteries He will unveil. It's what I've spoken of before...through the power of His Holy Spirit things of God are revealed. Truth is revealed. Truth that opens eyes to what is happening in this world and how the world believes in men, their own strengths, their own (supposed) knowledge. How the world sees right as wrong and good as evil. Truth reveals the rights and wrongs in this world, in government, in religion. What we as a world have allowed to become okay out of the premise of not offending. It's a truth that cannot be explained, only experienced.

Jesus Christ is the only Way, Truth and Life. Only He reveals the truth. He holds the keys to eternal life. He removes the veil that separates us from God the Father. Bear with me in this closing scripture! It's for anyone who desires a relationship with Him.

Ephesians 3:14-19 - For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

Turn Around

1Corinthians 15:9 - For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. - Apostle Paul

There is a song that is somewhat new. Turn Around by Matt Maher. It speaks mainly of people with serious problems, addictions, tragic stories, insecurities, but it speaks to all of us in some way. We all fit somewhere. However, there is no person, no problem too big or too small for God. We only have to turn around. He's there. Here's the chorus:

If you're scared that you don't matter

If you're lost and need to be found

If you're looking for a Savior

All you gotta do is turn around

That song was not what triggered this blog. I was thinking about people who have the "right stuff." Those who aren't scared or who don't think they're lost. Those who believe they are in control of their earthly lives. God has given them talents, strengths and convictions. But, oh, if they used them for the Lord instead of holding on to them in the world, how amazing it would be. How they would glorify God! But there has to be a desire; too often they are content as they are or they long for the praises of others whom they can see. 

So that thought took me to the account of Saul who became Paul. Here was a man who persecuted Christianity. His convictions were intense. BUT GOD...met him on the side of a road. He knew he had been in the presence of the Lord when He said, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? I don't for a minute believe the Lord was angry, just saddened...and also fully aware what Saul was to become. When we fight against the idea of a Savior who can redeem lives, heal and who only wants the best for us, we are fighting directly, rejecting personally, our Lord Jesus Christ. And He is saddened.

So, Saul came face to face with the Lord of all creation. He was stopped dead in his tracks. And he asked what he needed to do. And when he was told, Saul turned around. The name Saul means enquired of, responded. Suits him. He was enquired of by God and he did respond. The name Paul, on the other hand, means small or little. The name change I've read  could have been God's or Paul's. If it was God I think He is telling us it doesn't matter the stature in our character; He can use anyone. Paul called himself "the least [little] of the Apostles" (1Corinthians 15:9). Quite the opposite of Saul's old image. Just saying...  At any rate, Paul's conversion was the big thing. And the turn around that took place was amazing...from old to new. We might be strong in our earthly selves, but God might show us we must come to the end of that person...turn around...and allow Him to use us as the least, with the strengths and convictions He has given us.  

When we reject Jesus it's our own form of persecution toward Him. I don't mean totally rejecting Him, angrily or scoffing Him, but determining in our own minds that if we only believe that Jesus existed and choose not to receive Him as our own personal Savior...that also is a form of rejection. We must be born again, as Jesus tells us. And that means receiving Him and turning our lives around. Saul was born again. He turned his life around. The strengths he had used to persecute were now used to praise...to the glory of God.

God is the one who meets us on a road Face to face. I remember like it was yesterday when that happened to me. There's nothing like it. From the simple belief that Jesus was to meeting Him Face to face and then knowing Him personally. The biggest turn around is saying yes to Jesus instead of denying His importance in one's life. He is there for us. We just need to turn around and "see" that voice that we might see beyond our narrow little lives on earth. Then the rest becomes history.  

Praise God for what He is beginning to do in these last days, for the lives that are going to change, for the peace He will bring in families and communities, churches, nations, the world. He is changing lives. He is at work and like Uncle Sam, His finger might be pointed right at you...He wants you. Maybe you sense it. I dare you to turn around and look. You might see His face...you might hear His voice asking us to arise and go, turn ourselves around.

He can use you. He can develop the strengths He has built within you. He can make what seems a successful life even more successful, or He can take what seems a dead end life and make it alive. All you need to do is turn around. Arise and go....

Acts 9:6 - 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."