New Years Resolutions
New Years Resolutions
In my endavors and studies I am going to make an attempt to post my thoughts on my bible reading and prayer online in the morning for two purposes. This particular post was mostly written on Saturday however I ran out of time so I am posting it today.
The first being accountability, if I know that someone will be reading this everyday then they will see whether I have done my devotions or not. The second being to provide a blessing and encouragement to others.
The thought
I have been reading and studying for my Superchurch/Sunday School Class that I teach and my reading has brought me to a passage out of Acts 22: 6 - 15. The Bible says:
6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
10 And I said, What shall I do, LORD? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
Commitments
As we come upon this New Year many "commitments" are being made. Some folks make a resolution to lose 5 pounds every month because they feel guilty about all the Turkey they ate over the Christmas Season. Others who may smoke or drink to much alcohol may say to themselves that they are gonne resolve to cut down in the New Year. Still others who are church goers may resolve that they are going to be better people in the New Year.
The missing link
All these things are really great but where is the balance. You know as well as I that these resoltutions are not going to last five minutes in the New Year. So what is the missing piece from all this.
Road to Damascus
Saul was very committed to the Pharisees. He read all the right books and said all the right things. Unfortunately he persecuted and even put to death those who did not follow the same strict set of rules that he did. Then one day he was walking down the road to Damascus seeking out those that were trusting Christ as ther saviour. All of a sudden out of nowhere a light that was very bright blinded him. He was forced to stop as he could not find his way. Then a voice from heaven spoke to him and said Saul, why are you persecuting me. Saul being dumbfounded by the situation could not really provide an answer. The voice identifies himself as Jesus Christ the one whom he was persecuting. By this point his servants that were travelling with him were very scared as well. They could see a bright light but could not hear the voice that Saul heard and spoke to.
Road To Salvation
Saul was directed to go to Damascus and so he went. He arrived in Damascuc and was told by the Lord that a man named Ananias was to come and visit him. Ananias indeed did come and witness to him and Saul was already saved on the road to Damascus, as well in the Lords name Saul's sight was restored. However the story does not stop their. Saul then became Paul as a symbol of his new life in Christ. He was swiftly baptized and began to minister Christ himself.
New Life in Christ
Paul was delivered from his hateful and terrible ways. Not because he made a resolution to change himself, but because he trusted Christ and Christ himself did the work on Paul's heart. How much more is Christ able to work in your hearts and lives. If you're not saved today why wouldn't you call on the Lord to forgive and save you from your sins.
In my endavors and studies I am going to make an attempt to post my thoughts on my bible reading and prayer online in the morning for two purposes. This particular post was mostly written on Saturday however I ran out of time so I am posting it today.
The first being accountability, if I know that someone will be reading this everyday then they will see whether I have done my devotions or not. The second being to provide a blessing and encouragement to others.
The thought
I have been reading and studying for my Superchurch/Sunday School Class that I teach and my reading has brought me to a passage out of Acts 22: 6 - 15. The Bible says:
6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
10 And I said, What shall I do, LORD? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
Commitments
As we come upon this New Year many "commitments" are being made. Some folks make a resolution to lose 5 pounds every month because they feel guilty about all the Turkey they ate over the Christmas Season. Others who may smoke or drink to much alcohol may say to themselves that they are gonne resolve to cut down in the New Year. Still others who are church goers may resolve that they are going to be better people in the New Year.
The missing link
All these things are really great but where is the balance. You know as well as I that these resoltutions are not going to last five minutes in the New Year. So what is the missing piece from all this.
Road to Damascus
Saul was very committed to the Pharisees. He read all the right books and said all the right things. Unfortunately he persecuted and even put to death those who did not follow the same strict set of rules that he did. Then one day he was walking down the road to Damascus seeking out those that were trusting Christ as ther saviour. All of a sudden out of nowhere a light that was very bright blinded him. He was forced to stop as he could not find his way. Then a voice from heaven spoke to him and said Saul, why are you persecuting me. Saul being dumbfounded by the situation could not really provide an answer. The voice identifies himself as Jesus Christ the one whom he was persecuting. By this point his servants that were travelling with him were very scared as well. They could see a bright light but could not hear the voice that Saul heard and spoke to.
Road To Salvation
Saul was directed to go to Damascus and so he went. He arrived in Damascuc and was told by the Lord that a man named Ananias was to come and visit him. Ananias indeed did come and witness to him and Saul was already saved on the road to Damascus, as well in the Lords name Saul's sight was restored. However the story does not stop their. Saul then became Paul as a symbol of his new life in Christ. He was swiftly baptized and began to minister Christ himself.
New Life in Christ
Paul was delivered from his hateful and terrible ways. Not because he made a resolution to change himself, but because he trusted Christ and Christ himself did the work on Paul's heart. How much more is Christ able to work in your hearts and lives. If you're not saved today why wouldn't you call on the Lord to forgive and save you from your sins.
posted by Vern at 8:23 AM
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