Text: Acts 9:1-19
Yesterday we read words from Paul to the Corinthians. Today we’re taking a step back in time to learn more about Paul’s story.
The Saul we are reading about today is the same man we read about named Paul. Have I confused you yet?
Talk about a fresh start—an amazing story of redemption and new beginning.
Let’s first look at how God used Paul, a changed man. A man covered by grace from the Most High.
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He took 3 long missionary journeys, planting churches, preaching the gospel and encouraging his fellow believers.
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Paul had a gift of explaining the gospel in a way that resonates with us today just as it did many years ago.
Would you believe that this same man was at one time persecuting the believers? Paul wasn’t just a non-believer, he was actively seeking out men and women who were following Christ: throwing them in jail or worse, killing them.
But God chose Him. He met Saul and blinded him, so that he might see the truth.
Do you look at your past and believe the lies that you’re too messy to clean up? Too broken to be fixed? Are you struggling to believe that His grace and forgiveness covers whatever is in your past?
Paul tells us later on in Ephesians 2:8, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (NIV)
It is a gift. It is by grace.
There is nothing you can do to make Him love you more.
There is no sin too great for Him.
There is no stain He can’t wash away.
Saul was walking down a path of destruction: God met Saul where he was.
Ask Him today to meet you where you are. He will. It may not look the way you expect—you may be blinded so that you might see clearly. But Sister, there is a fresh start and a new beginning just waiting to be given to you.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:38-39, NIV, emphasis added)
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41 thoughts on "so that you may see clearly"
LOVE THIS!! I am not proud of my past and am frequently reminded that I am a sinner. But then there's passages like this that remind me that I'm okay because I'm actively changing my life to live for Him. To go back to how I used to be. To not be led down a wayward path. Our redeemer makes me so joyous that I can work on being a better person and know that I'm forgiven.
In the words of Rob Bell…"There's nothing you could ever do to make him love you less." we have been saved! Now I pray that I live like Christ today and show love, mercy and compassion in all that I do. May all you ladies do the same and walk with light hearts.
Just last night I watched this movie called Äbout Time", and I so dearly wanted to hasten my life. I had to move to another country and start my undergraduate ALL over again, and for a year or more I had struggled with accepting it. Even when I thought I did, perhaps I had just buried it with a sufficient amount of complacency to mistake it for acceptance. I am also having deeper issues of having to reidentify myself with my own country, and not the country from which I grew up for most of my life. I have to accept that I'm not American, even if that's where I was raised. It hurts, because it feels like I have to renounce everything I had ever known that makes me, me.
I know that God has not blinked, and has ordained for this to happen for something. I pray that I will be blinded so I can see clearly His will and be in the center of it, passionate for it and obeying it.
God chose me. God chose you. God chose Saul.
Too messed up? Too broken? – NO … You have been saved through faith by grace. <3
God will meet you where you are just as He met saw where he was.
So incredibly thankful for this truth. Praise Him because He is Holy.
In awe by how amazing this plan is!! This was my very first plan last year and I so desperately needing a fresh start during that time in my life! God was there and knew exactly what I needed!! Today I am reminded that I need a fresh start on most days! When I put God on the back burner and turn away from Him, I need a redo. A fresh start to refocus on what's most important, pushing the worldly problems aside and just being there with Him. The coolest part is that He is always there…right where we are…He is there! He gives me a fresh start each and everyday!! I'm amazed by his love and mercy.
Isn't it amazing that God tells Ananias "In a vision, he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay hands on him."
God had already told Paul that Ananias was coming, even though (I have no doubt) God knew Ananias would not want to go.
It's crazy to me to see little things like this that show how God even has "faith" in us, His servants. He knew Ananias would be scared, but He also knew Ananias loved and trusted him enough to follow His will.
Whenever I feel like my past is "too much", I am always encouraged by the story of Paul. If there was ever anyone who was more "disqualified" to be a Christian, it was him. And yet…oh, and YET…God called him a chosen instrument and used him to write some of the most beloved books of the Bible. No one is ever too far gone or too stained to be saved, loved, and used by God. Ladies, that should encourage us! This is good news! God does not demand that we be perfect before we are used by him.
I find myself being amazed at Ananias' courage. Yes, he may have been slightly (or VERY) reluctant to go speak to Saul, but he obeyed. I think it is good for us to remember that the things God calls us to do may seem crazy or impossible, but who knows what He may do through them! We just have to listen and obey and be willing to be used!
Oh, I agree! The bravery that Ananias had is incredible. He was willingly going into the presence of a (former) murderer. Yet, he obeyed, and God used it mightily. Even though it probably didn't make sense to him at the time!
Amazed. Speechless. In Awe.
It so so so beautiful to think about the way that our God loves us. What a wonderful reminder of how true his love for us is. To think that his love for us is not the kind of thing to be wonderful for a day or two and then die out. However, it is quite the opposite. It will grow in its incredible value every single day as we grow in him. It blows my mind to think about how God cares for us to the point where he longs to hear from us. When were struggling with things that may seem so irrelevant or pitiful that they're not even worth bringing before the Lord, were reminded that God wants nothing MORE than to help us {EXACTLY} where were at. If that means in a position of sadness for no reason, or stress from the tiniest things…God is sitting and waiting to help you. to love you. to heal you.
Thank you so much for this wonderful reminder. We are redeemed in him. There is nothing better than the knowledge that we receive from the Lords words.
So beautiful <3
Paul is the ultimate example of God’s power to radically change lives for Good. It gives us all hope that, despite our sin, God can use us to accomplish His work.
"But Sister, there is a fresh start and a new beginning just waiting to be given to you." This comment hit deep into my heart today. Yesterday I posted the pain of my heart and torment I face as I struggle with the confusion if it is Christ telling me to return to an abusive marriage. Three beautiful angels wrote their response to me and I was amazed by the clarity of their comments and then this devotion. I cannot save my husband. I cannot be his " cornerstone" as anna lee put it so beautifully. For so many years I wrongly made my husband the cornerstone, putting Christ second. That was disastrous. My cornerstone crumbled yet God had mercy and by His grace lifted me and carried me to safety carefully placing me in the safety of Him as my new cornerstone. My God has told me Jeremiah 29:11 for so long now. He has promised me hope and a new future. Not terror, pain, and destruction. I pray daily, sometimes hourly for my husbands salvation. I pray for God to " Saul" him and transform him. But I cannot continue to enable for to do so I am not allowing God to break him and restore Him. I pray that God will help me get out of the way for Him to work in my husbands life. Yet I pray also that He will help me to walk away not looking to the past which is over and cannot be changed, but to look forever to the beautiful present and future that was promised and to gratefully hold on to every merciful second I am blessed with my His amazing grace. Thank you so much for this forum, thank you so much for your prayers.
Beautiful Sharon that God can give direction through His Word and through the encouragement and experience of sisters in Christ! Praying for you today that He will continue to give you wisdom for your situation and lead your husband to salvation! ♥
I am reminded of the hymn "Love Lifted Me", which says: love lifted me – even me.
First verse:
I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more.
But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry,
from the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Chorus:
Love lifted me (even me),
love lifted me (even me),
when nothing else could help,
love lifted me.
Praise the Lord that includes me (even me) and even you and even all who believe! He is a great Master and Lord indeed!
"It may not look the way you expect—you may be blinded so that you might see clearly."
In the times of chaos and confusion, of freaking out, God is there, and He is sovereign still, just like the song says. Never thought of how times like this could be part of redemption.
Feeling blessed and at peace. Thank you all for your words, praying for you all.
In Jesus's name….I'm out :)
Paul: a wretched, murderous Pharisee, chosen instrument of God…
Me: selfish, prideful people-pleaser, chosen instrument of God…
Oh what mercy, You have pardoned me
Oh what love, You have set me free
Oh what grace, You are changing me
Now I marvel at this mystery!
I always imagine Paul's joy writing Romans 8:38. What a message of love and forgiveness.
Amen that the Lord has grown me so much that these questions asked are not my struggles.
My struggle, as mentioned yesterday is being bold for Christ (could I even be 1/16 the sharer that Paul was). God met Saul where he was. So now I ask Him today to meet me with a spirit of boldness — I don't want to waste my days not sharing the good news!
Praying with you sisters, that we know His grace is sufficient for us, and that we all know that nothing can separate us from His love! Even when I avoid an opportunity to share.
Your life is a witness more than you know Valanne! If you are praying every day that the Lord will open doors for you to be a witness then He will do just that…in His time. Be sensitive to His presence and you will be surprised at the ways that He will lead you to people. I am sure you are more bold than you realize! He doesn't expect us to stand on the street corner every day, although depending on the situation, sometimes it is effective when done with wisdom! Let me clarify, that there are times street evangelism is a great tool! Block parties are becoming a great outreach tool and so effective, communities love them and they reach so many at a time!! Great for neighborhoods and a wonderful way to meet your neighbors. When we were overseas one thing we did was singing in the city centre….Eastern Europeans responded to it wonderfully! That is how we won everyone in our House Church! My son played his acoustic guitar and sang contemporary Christian songs while others on the team watched for those that seemed interested then invited them to church. While that might not work in the States, there are plenty of other great ways to reach your area.
The most important thing is to be willing and available and you have that covered :) God loves a willing heart and He WILL use you. The Book of Acts said He added to the church daily…"such as should be saved"….He is in control, trust Him!!
Much love to you for your compassionate spirit ♥
Candacejo, thank you for the insight. I think I mentioned in one of our other devo series, that I tend to be a one on one relational sharer. I've often wondered if God would grow me so much that I could do street evangelism, so about eight years back I tried it with a group from my church on a college town main street, let's just say that I shadowed my partner that was a pro at it. I'm confident he is using me, I really feel convicted to go outside my comfort zone and you are right, I just need to trust God to help me do it.
"Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument."
This image led me to reflect on the fact that I am also an instrument of the Lord, as are each of you. That thought is such motivation to be powerful in the spirit and drench my heart in the Word every day so that I can be ready for wherever God wants to use me.
Happy Wednesday sisters! Lets make much of the Lord today.
Oh I love this story so much!!! Saul was not even looking for Christ at this point and still-God went after him, meeting him where he was and choosing him for his kingdom!! It just gets me so excited to think about how great the grace, mercy and forgiveness of Jesus really are. I pray this same truth would deeply resonate with each of you ladies today. Be blessed!!
This is exactly what I prayed last night. Wow.
Sarah praying for you today that you will live in the FREEDOM of His overflowing love and endless grace!!!
"There is nothing you can do to make Him love you more." I have a hard time with this. I know there's nothing I can do to make Him love me more OR less, but it's hard to convince myself that His love isn't conditional. Especially when I find myself loving people conditionally. When you don't love yourself, it's hard to imagine someone loving you regardless of what you do. In verse 5, I love that Saul answers God with "who are you Master?" Even during a time where he is persecuting God's people so violently, he still recognizes God as Master. There's a "God shaped hole" in all of our hearts. Even the hardest of ones. I'm so thankful for a God who doesn't need to be loved first in order to love me.
Oh, Lord, meet me where I am. In my sin, selfishness, and shame. Blind me, if necessary, that I might see You and Your role for me clearly. And make me Your messenger to others.
This morning I am reminded that not only is his grace enough for me, but it is enough for others as well. Sometimes I identify with Ananias — I don't want to listen to God when he tells me to spend time with people I might deem not worthy or on God's side. But God knows otherwise and may have great plans for those people. The decision is really not up to me.
Emily, I connected with Ananias too. I made a note of how personal his relationship with God was. He felt comfortable telling God everything he knew about Saul — basically saying "I'm afraid of this man". And God didn't rebuke him for having these concerns, but firmly told him what his will was, and that was to GO. May we both obey when we hear him calling us to share.
How true Emily. I too often forget that His grace is enough. enough for EVERYONE. God's plans for some people are often times far beyond what I could ever comprehend or understand. We tend to see only the muck but God's plans are not ours, his ways are so much higher. Thankful for what you pulled out and shared today, it really resonated with me. I will be chewing on this all day. I pray I never turn God down when he has laid someone on my heart.
This is just too awesome for a human like me to understand. That nothing I can do can change his love for me. We love him because he loved us first. I stopped trying to understand it and now just believe despite my unbelief.
God bless
I am a woman who is just recently finally allowing myself to fully receive everything God has had in store for my life. I have so much of my past that I just want to let it all go and never ever go back. I dont want to keep dwelling on my mistakes anymore. I pray God will set me free from my chains and wipe away my tears from my past. I only want to move forward with God and to do that I must let go. I want to be brand new. My Dear Lord please set me free
God has already set you free. Embrace it and live in His word. Praying for you and for so many of us who struggle with fully accepting His grace.
The same thoughts were going through my mind this morning. It is amazing how Satan will do all that he can to keep us from feeling the joy of our salvation. I will pray for you my friend and I always bring these words of this song to my mind when I am feeling so unworthy. I pray it will bring peace to you too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-4NFvI5U9w
Sweet Sarah, the Bible says "As far as the east is from the west so far does He remove our transgressions from us." That's pretty far!! East and west will never meet! Here is a blog post about this very thing that I wrote some time ago but it is the most read post on my site….and the Google search that shows up EVERY day on my blog…so many are searching for that forgiveness and the enemy keeps throwing it in our faces. But if you have asked for it, God has given it, then He has forgotten it! Never to be remembered again. To go a step further, if you have been baptized in His Name, taken on Christ, those sins are washed away, you are a new creation! Be filled with His spirit full and overflowing and feed daily on the Word of God…then the enemy can try as he may but you stand on solid ground! You rest securely in the Savior. Your hope is in the Lord!!
Praying for you today friend…♥ http://www.hopeinthehealing.com/2013/06/12/if-god…
Thank you for the link. The article is beautiful and very timely for me. I have always struggled with forgiving myself of past mistakes. Why is it so easy to punish ourselves? ugh. I will work on it tho. God bless! xoxo
Sarah, you are Loved, forgiven, set free, loved, chosen. Wipe away those tears for mistakes made in the past, cry now tears of joy and jubilation because the Lord God Almighty has set you free, and by His Grace, Love and mercy YOU are a new being, forgiven, forgiven forgiven. Repeat after me…… I am forgiven…I am set free… I am a child of the Most High God, nd nothing I have done, nothing I do, and nothing I am likely to do will change that….
Ephesians 1, 3-14 tells us all I have said here and more…..
Holding you up to the Lord, Sarah, that you may have your eyes opened to the truth that you are His and He delights in YOU always….x x
Sweet Sarah, I have felt this way before. I am a sinner, who has been set free. I believed in salvation through Jesus, I believed in mercy and grace. However, my mistake was believing it for others but not for myself. I believed I had screwed up too badly and for too long. Then, God revealed to me one day that when I did not forgive myself, it was as bad as not forgiving others. He also showed me that when I did not believe that his wonderful mercy and grace included me, that essentially I was telling Jesus that His sacrifice wasn't enough. And we know that it IS enough. Your sins have been forgiven, you have been washed clean. I pray that you will experience the fullness of his grace and mercy on your life. This is what fuels our devotion to Him. This is what helps us look upon others who haven't found salvation through a lens of compassion instead of judgement. This mercy and grace is what makes me want to be in His presence ALL the time, it makes me want to know Him more. It makes my love for Him so great that He is above all else. This is what reminds me where I once was, and where I am now. It reminds me of who I was, and now am His child. It is His beautiful gift to you, sweet dear sister. I would hug you right now if I could!
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now I,m found, was blind but now I see….my chains are gone I,ve been set free,my Lord my Savior has randomed me and like a flood his mercy reigns, unending love, amazing grace……
I tried to add the link, but not being a techno minded person, I failed so words instead….sorry sister's, although the other option was me singing…..!!!! Definitely some Grace there….
I don,t know about you my sisters, but sometimes I struggle with this beautiful, amazing, life changing Grace….. I get myself in this rut, and can,t believe that ME, I could be so blessed as to receive this amazing grace…..for all I have done, for all I have been, for all that I am still…..there is Grace, . Grace and more Grace…why?
I love this song….the words are words I am still learning for myself, but I love God more, and I know that although I may get myself in a place where I cannot see clearly, my Lord, my God has His eye on me, has His hand right there on my shoulder, He lives in my heart, and by His Grace I will and am free……
Thank you for saving me Lord, thank you for your Amazing Grace that truly has saved this wretch called Tina, thank you for the new mercies and Grace that is new each and every day, thank you Lord. As I go through today, Lord , I pray I may remember that it is by your Grace and love that I am here, and to live for your glory. Amen.
Love you Ladies. Be Blessed. X x
Amen.
“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?… I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
Every time I read this story, these words astound me. Saul has been persecuting Christians. The men and women who follow “The Way.” Jesus is not alive in the flesh anymore. Saul has not literally persecuted Jesus, Himself. Yet Sisters, Jesus stands with us. He stepped in for us once before when He died on the cross for us, and He is stepping in for us again here to advocate for us. We as Christians are the body of Christ. When we are persecuted, so is He. When we are challenged, He stands with us. When we face destruction and danger, He holds us up and gives us strength to continue preaching boldly the gospel of love. What a message. What an astounding, loving God we serve!