finishing line
"Saul, my brother, I have been sent by the Lord Jesus Who appeared to you on the way here, to help you recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." —Acts 9:17
On the way to Damascus, Saul saw a light flash around him. He fell to the ground, heard Jesus' voice, and was struck blind (Acts 9:3, 4, 8). People have similar experiences every day. We may not realize this because we haven't been at the right place at the right time due to our disobedience. The Lord is constantly shaking people up. This doesn't necessarily convert them but prepares them to hear the gospel message.
The Lord calls Ananiases to finish the work He's begun (Acts 9:10, 15). The Lord will put hundreds of fish at the side of the boat but we must throw out the net (Lk 5:4-6). He will assemble outside our house thousands of people from many nations but we must leave the upper room and go into the streets (Acts 2:4). The Lord will get an Ethiopian eunuch to read the Bible and drive by, but we must knock on his car door (Acts 8:29ff).
Jesus likes to use people to convert others to Him. He was already talking to Saul. He could have converted Saul Himself, but He chose to work through Ananias. He also wants to work through you. The Sauls are ready to listen. Will you speak in Jesus' name?
Prayer: Jesus, may I never miss an opportunity to tell someone about You.
Promise: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation." —Mk 16:15
Praise: "I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me. I still live my human life, but it is a life of faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal 2:19-20).
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet Conversion-Conversations.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 30, 2007
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