The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 755
The Devotional – Search the Scriptures – 755
Today’s Kick Start! – (CSB) Philippians 1 12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ.
Personal Obedience—Walk in the Spirit and you will not carry out the deeds of the flesh.
Acts 9 10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” “Here I am, Lord,” he replied. 11 “Get up and go to the street called Straight,” the Lord said to him, “to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so that he may regain his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Ananias went and entered the house. He placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 And after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some time.
JESUS CHRIST: He IS the same Yesterday, He IS the same Today, He IS God Forever!
We are all sinners like Saul of Tarsus, we are all full of wickedness and deceit, yet God will be and is MERCIFUL. As sinners we can ask Him for mercy via the sin sacrifice of Jesus Christ, then we will see in our soul the grace through which His mercy is provided. Conversion from a life of SIN and godlessness is just this way for many men and women who have the characteristics of the apostle Paul.
Ananias! Thank you Lord for faithful disciples like this man. Have you ever found yourself going to visit someone whom you know is a murderer or a persecutor of the church? If not! Then you have failed to see or know your brothers and sisters at your local church, or for that matter—looked in the mirror.
Immediately Ananias does as the Lord instructed him and immediately Ananias addresses Saul as a brother in Christ. So I asked myself—is the word immediately—important? Yes, in fact it is. Notice that Saul’s response to his conversion from Judaism to Christ is immediate. Saul immediately received the Holy Spirit and was baptized. The credentials of a saved sinner are; acknowledgement of Christ as your personal Savior, the personal filling of God the Holy Spirit, and a personal willingness to be Baptized.
Without the Spiritual baptism of God the Holy Spirit, our salvation is limited as we have no power to see the fullness of God, (see John 4 23-23) or even minister (see Acts 9 1-7).
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