Transformations

April 13, 2016

Opening Hymns:
185 When Morning Guilds the Skies http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh185.sht

Scripture Reading:
Acts 9:1-6, (7-20)
9:1 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

9:2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

9:3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

9:4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

9:5 He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

9:6 But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."

9:7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one.

9:8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

9:9 For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

9:10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord."

9:11 The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying,

9:12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight."

9:13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem;

9:14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name."

9:15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel;

9:16 I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."

9:17 So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

9:18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized,

9:19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus,

9:20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."

Message:
I’ve been looking at old pictures. Photos of me and my family when I was a little girl, and as I was growing up. Some things have changed. I like to think that I have become more knowledgeable and more confident. I have changed in many different small ways. However, some things haven’t changed. My fiancé pointed out that I still smile with my eyes closed, just like I did when I was a toddler. There were pictures of me crocheting, running, singing, playing instruments… and those are still things that I love to do.

My fiancé also noted that he has some things that have remained unchanged over the years. He recently discovered a video where he was making dinner with his roommate, and was saying “I’m going to get better at eating vegetables”… something he still says to this day. Sometimes it is hard to change who we are, our actions and thoughts can become habits that are hard to shift. At times, that can be a good thing, but in other instances our habits can hinder our ability to do God’s will.

In today’s scripture we see Saul’s life change. He was persecuting the church of our Lord, and now his eyes are opened to the truth. He is transformed by his new calling to share and spread the truth. What a transformation! He went from believing/relying on his place in Jewish tradition and persecuting the church of Jesus Christ… to saying that his heritage meant nothing! He then began to serve and spread the word about God’s Son.

 There was no specific moment in my life where I could say I became a Christian… I always remember believing in God and in Jesus ever since I was a little girl. Yet, sometimes I forget that even though I have my own habits and insecurities, I too can be transformed by Jesus. Any moment in my life where I doubt myself, or my ability to carry out God’s will, I can remember this scripture and know that even the most unlikely person can be used and changed by God for the betterment of the world. Think of all the good you can do too!

Time of Prayer
Lord, shape us to do Your will. Guide us in everything that we do so that we might create a more love and beautiful world for all those around us. No challenge is too hard when You are with us. Guide us this day and always. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
362 Nothing But the Blood http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh362.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