GoodNewsLetter
Number 424 July 18, 2012
Meeting God Changes the Heart
"Arise and go back to the city and it shall be told thee there what thou must do," Acts 9:6.
I know that all of us would like to have what Paul was given; complete direction from the Lord. According to Acts 9:6, Jesus told Paul that a complete turnaround was needed. And, Paul wasnot looking for Jesus; but, to destroy those who believed in Jesus. We should keep this in mind. When God informs us of anything He has for us to do, He will take care of all things involved.So, the next time we learn something from God, let's remember that Paul was "breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord" (Acts 9:1). Not only was the call for Paul acomplete change in direction, the mission would also concern others that Paul would meet in the service of God. Ananias had to learn that God works in strange ways, too. Ananias needed extrapersuasion from God. What Ananias heard about Paul was a scary situation for him. "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Thy saints at Jerusalem" (Acts 9:13).But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument to Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel," Acts 9:15. What I find amazing about Ananias is hisreadiness of heart. He not only went to where Paul was, Ananias entered the house and said, "Brother Saul." Ananias reminds me of all the saints that are so involved in God's word; yet, we neverhear about them. We see, however, that when we meet God, the heart is changed and any situation becomes bearable. Why, we even love the Pastor.Paul stayed with the disciples for a few days, proclaiming Christ to all in Damascus and those attending the Synagogues. When the people questioned about Paul and his new mission, he justkept on proclaiming Jesus, saying, "He is the Son of God," Acts 9:20.When we go back to the TITLE of this GoodNewsLetter, we see that God's chosen people, the Jews, rejected Paul's message. They still do today. It is interesting that God calls a Jew to proclaim His message to the Jews. Although, they knew of Paul's complete turnaround still, the Jewish people rejected their Savior in Paul's day; just as they do today. They even plotted together to do away withPaul (Acts 9:23).However, God not only changes the heart of all who believe in Him, He also protects them; presenting ways of escape from enemies. Saul (Paul) was always ready to die for the Lord, at any time. His message was, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," Philippians 1:21. Paul's attitude ought to show us why the message about Jesus is so important. After he met Jesus on the road to Damascus,Paul's only reason for living was to preach Christ and Him crucified. Our approach has to be just like Paul's. We must learn that, "For in Him, we live and move and exist..." Acts 17:28.