Road to Damascus

Hi standers! It's Monday once again. Here's another devotional written by Delon from Georgia. This is a very interesting topic. Read on and stay encouraged!

*************************

For so long I've heard over and over that everyone has their own "Free Will."  Well the Lord told me Free Will was never created so we could be our own "little gods".   It was created so God could use it to teach us. We have to be careful to ask ourselves..."Am I the Lord of my life?" or “Is Jesus the Lord of my life?”

The definition of  "Lord" is a person who has authority, control, or power over. When we confess our sins and accept Jesus Christ, He not only becomes our Savior and saves our soul, but he becomes our Lord as well; Lord and Savior.

Well let’s take a look at a situation where Jesus, interrupted someone's "Free Will” in Acts 9.

"Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 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.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” Acts 9:1-12

Let’s take a look at what's going on here. Saul was operating in his "Free Will."  He had his mind made up and he had his plans. He was going to persecute everyone that belonged to Jesus Christ. Saul has just had a Divine Encounter with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That needs to be our prayer to the Father; that our prodigals will have a Divine Encounter that will change their lives, forever. Notice Jesus made Saul blind for three days. Remember Jesus is Sovereign and knows exactly what each person needs to come to true repentance. It’s possible if Jesus wouldn't have blinded Saul, his stubbornness would have caused him to continue to rebel. Now notice how Jesus says that Saul is waiting there but he is praying! Notice how, within a matter of events, Saul went from breathing murderous threats to now being a man of PRAYER. That's the power of our King!

“'Lord,' Ananias answered, 'I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.' But the Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel...' Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength."  Acts 9:13-15,18-19

Notice the most important thing Jesus says... Saul is a chosen instrument to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ. When God has chosen you for a specific purpose or call, you can only go so far until God pulls you back or until he intervenes. God will stop at nothing for His will to prevail. Then I want you to notice that it says "immediately" something like scales fell from Saul's eyes. We need to ask for the scales to be removed from our prodigal’s spiritual eyes, ears, heart and mind. Saul is eventually converted to Paul, a mighty Apostle of the Lord who wrote a lot of the New Testament of the greatest book ever written.

Do not give up praying for your loved one because the world is telling you they have "Free Will." Set an example for your Loved ones and give Jesus his rightful position as Lord of your life. KNOW that He is working on your behalf.  Remember, you're not only standing for you and the one you pray for, you are standing for everyone else who will be affected. Satan has seen a glimpse of the big picture and is doing everything in his power to abort it. But if you don't faint you WILL win. Your testimony is coming.