Acts 9 – 10 and Lunch with Family

Acts 9– 10

As we discussed yesterday, Saul was extremely passionate about persecuting the new church. Acts 9 says “Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.” He is so intent on his task that he requests letters from the high priest that will ask various synagogues in Damascus for cooperation in arresting any followers of the Way he finds in their area. He was intent on bringing these people back to Jerusalem in chains.

On his way to Damascus, Saul encounters the very Lord whose followers he is intent on tracking down. There’s no doubt the Lord wanted to get Saul’s attention. There was a bright light. Saul heard a voice asking why he was persecuting him (Jesus). He was struck blind and told to go into Damascus and see a believer named Ananias who lived on Straight Street.

Jesus obviously knew what it would take to convince Saul that he was doing the wrong thing. Saul accepted the Lord, was filled with the Holy Spirit and regained his sight. He stayed with the believers in Damascus a little while and became just as adamant to preach the gospel as he was to wipe it out. He was such an effective preacher that some of the Jews plotted against him. The believers had to lower him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall.

Throughout Paul’s ministry, Paul encounters people who knew he had been persecuting the church and were afraid to trust him because of that. Even when he arrives in Jerusalem the first time after his conversion, all of the believers were afraid to have anything to do with him until Barnabas told them that Saul had seen the Lord. I’m sure this contributed to the close friendship Paul shared with Barnabas.

Tomorrow, we’ll read Acts 11– 12.

Lunch with Family

Today, I was privileged to have lunch with Mark’s brother Don, Don’s wife Rose, my sister-in-law Esther and my nephew Steve.at Old Town Pizza in Plant City. The lunch was great, but the fellowship was very special. Don and Rose live in Johnson City and, as a result of the distance, I don’t get to see them too often. They are such great people, as are Esther and Steven. I am so thankful that I have such a great family, not only mine through birth, but also mine by virtue of having been married to Mark. I am indeed so blessed.

Until next time…