ACTS 9:3-6

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.  “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

TO PONDER

This Saul fellow, who became Paul after his conversion, experienced what it was like. The shoe was on the other foot. He was a persecutor of Christians, then became persecuted. He experienced being the persecutor, and the persecuted – and reminds us a few times in his writings.  

People talk about a ‘Damascus Road’ experience. An event in your life that was life changing. What about you? Was there a time in your life you can pinpoint when you became serious about your faith, or even became a Christian? 

Many people can’t, but that’s OK, because for them, it was at their baptism, and God was doing the work. If it was as a baby, you probably can’t remember it. But that’s why we have God parents. Not remembering isn’t a problem either, because God’s promises remain. God’s promises hold true. God wrote our name in Heaven on that day, so you never need another baptism. 

So you have had a Damascus Road experience. What have you done about it since then? 

Jesus continues to call us to day-by-day, see him more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly.    

PRAYER: In our journey in 2024 Lord, walk with us whatever the world throws at us. Watch over our family, our employment, our study, and our lives. Thank you for writing our name in your book of life. Help us to live as your thankful children. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping