[Anglican Devotional 25 January 2023] Topic: Total Submission
TOPIC: Total Submission
READ: Acts 9:1-22 (NKJV)
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It [is] hard for you to kick against the goads.”
So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord [said] to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.
Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought [him] into Damascus.
And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
So the Lord [said] to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for [one] called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.
“And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting [his] hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in 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 vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
“For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Immediately there fell from his eyes [something] like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”
But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this [Jesus] is the Christ.
THE MESSAGE:
Saul obtained a letter from the High Priest authorising him to go to Damascus and arrest Christians and bring them to Jerusalem. As he journeyed close to Damascus, a sudden light flashed around him from heaven and he fell down and became blind. Jesus asked him why he was persecuting Him (Jesus). On realising it was Jesus he was persecuting, Saul submitted to Christ’s authority and asked what he should do. He was told to enter Damascus and await further instructions which came through Ananias who laid hands on him restoring his sight. Paul was also baptised and preached Christ in Damascus.
Anybody who persecutes the Church or the followers of Christ is persecuting Christ. Some parents punish their children because they attend Church, Church vigils or other Christian activities, but do nothing to their other children who attend night clubs and other riotous places. If you are like such parents, you are persecuting Christ. Determine to encourage your children to serve God. Now that the year has just begun, resolve to love and serve Christ. Make peace with God by submitting your life to Jesus. Your future will be bright as you if you do.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, please help me discover my wrongs and totally submit to Your word and Your will in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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