The Road to Damascus

April 12, 2013

Opening Hymns:
662 Stand Up and Bless the Lord http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh662.sht

Scripture Reading:
Acts 9:1-20

Saul’s Conversion

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³ As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
⁷ The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. ⁸ Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹ For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
¹⁰ In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
¹¹ The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. ¹² In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
¹³ “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
¹⁵ But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. ¹⁶ I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
¹⁷ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, ¹⁹ and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. ²⁰ At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

Message:
As I read the scripture lesson for this week I am reminded of stories of people whose lives were changed by Jesus. Thousands of people have given up their alcoholic lifestyle through Alcoholics Anonymous, a Christian organization/support group. Many others have given up their use of illicit drugs because they found a new life in Jesus. For many of these people I’m sure they can relate to Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus. Their lives have truly been transformed through knowing Jesus.

Where are you in your life? Do you feel the Lord calling for you to make a change in your plans? Perhaps, like Saul, you thought God’s call was different than it actually is. Maybe, like Ananias, you are called to recognize and reach out to those who have made a change in their life because of Jesus. Regardless, let this scripture remind you that with God all things are possible. Through Jesus lives are changed, wounds are healed, and sins are forgiven.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, lead us down Your path this day, and every day. In Jesus name we pray. Amen


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
672 God Be with You Till We Meet Again http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh672.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God