Tag: chosen instrument
Who are You, Lord?
Scripture reading for April 16th: Acts 9
Key Scriptures: Acts 9:1-6 “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.””
Luke was a Gentile doctor and traveling companion of Paul after he was converted. He gives us this record of Paul’s conversion, probably directly from the source. Paul was a zealous Jew and Pharisee who thought he was doing God’s work to root out false teachers who claimed Jesus was the Christ. He held the coats of those who stoned Stephen and gave approval. He obtained papers to go to Damascus and round up more “Christ followers” when his plans were interrupted by a visit from Jesus, Himself. He was knocked down and blinded by a bright light from heaven and a voice asked him why he was persecuting Him. Saul (Paul) replied, “Who are You, Lord?” He was ignorant of the basic truth needed to repent. Jesus revealed Himself to Paul and instructed him in the next steps of a new life with a new purpose.
Acts 9:15-16 “But the Lord said to him (Ananias), “Go, for he (Saul) is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My Name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My Name.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself to me and all who follow You. You are the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and my Lord. As Your chosen instrument, send me today to those You have ordained to reach with the Gospel.
Jeremiah 1:4-5 “Now the Word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.””
The cost of being a “chosen instrument.”
Scripture reading for April 24th: 1st Samuel 11-13, Psalm 38, Acts 9
Key Scriptures: Acts 9:13-16 “But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your Name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My Name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My Name.”
Saul had been thrown from his horse as he went to Damascus to persecute and arrest God’s people. He was struck blind by the light of Jesus Christ, appearing to him in glory. Ananias was an obedient disciple chosen by God to go lay hands on him to receive back his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ananias had heard about Saul and his destructive ways but went as instructed by God. Saul was God’s chosen instrument to take the Gospel to the Gentiles and kings as well as the Israelites.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, thank You for Your “chosen instruments.” Thank You for choosing me for salvation and to suffer for Your great Name. Keep me from turning aside from Your purposes and empower me to fulfill Your plans.
1st Samuel 12:21-22 “And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great Name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for Himself.”
Psalm 38:15 “But for You, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, Who will answer.”
Chosen instruments!
Scripture reading for May 16th: 1st Chronicles 7-9, Acts 9
Key Scriptures: Acts 9:15-17 “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My Name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My Name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain you sight and receive the Holy Spirit.”
Saul, the Pharisee of the tribe of Benjamin, was zealous for the law and set out to get rid of followers of Jesus. On the way to Damascus, Jesus appeared to him and he lost his physical sight. God sent Ananias to lay hands on Saul to receive back his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul the Pharisee became Paul, Christ’s apostle!
1st Chronicles 8:40 “The sons of Ulam were men who were mighty warriors, bowmen, having many sons and grandsons, 150. All these were Benjaminites.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for making me a ‘chosen instrument’ for Your purposes. Fill me with the Holy Spirit anew today. Amen.
From persecutor to preacher!
Scripture reading for May 18th: Acts 9
After the stoning of Stephen, Saul began to destroy the church! (Acts 8:3) He rounded up believers and had them imprisoned and heartily felt he was doing God a favor by keeping Judaism free from their false teaching about Jesus! He obtained letters from the High Priest authorizing him to take prisoners of any believers found in the synagogues of Damascus. However, on the way there, he met Jesus Christ personally!
“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, He replied.” (Acts 9:3-5) The same Jesus who appeared standing at the Father’s right hand to receive Stephen into glory now responded to Stephen’s prayer, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60) Saul had been there holding the coats of those stoning him! Saul got up and found he could not see and those with him lead him into Damascus where he waited three days and nights without food or drink!
The Lord spoke to Saul in a dream about a man coming to lay hands on him. The Lord also spoke to the man, Ananias, instructions to go to Saul. Ananias questioned the Lord, concerned about Saul’s murderous intent, which was well known to the believers in Damascus. Jesus simply said, “Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My Name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” (Acts 9:15) Ananias laid hands on Saul and his sight was restored and he began to preach Jesus as the Christ! What a difference an encounter with Jesus can make! Have you received Him?