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Conversion and Call

Day 272

Reading: Acts 9:1 - Acts 13:52

God is a God of details. Information in the Bible is not given to fill space. There is always a reason for something. While Stephen was being stoned to death a young man was receiving the clothes of others who took part in the stoning. That young man is named Saul. Saul soon is a terror to the church and is given permission by the High Priest to round up the Christians and persecute them. Many of the new believers were of the Jewish heritage and thus this new found faith was threatening Judaism. Saul's mandate was to eradicate these people and ensure the faith he believed in remained intact.

On this journey to Damascus, Saul has an encounter that changes his life. God will meet you in the most unlikely of places. No case is too hard for God. Every time I read the story of Saul's conversion am encouraged to know that Jesus cares so much for the soul of everyone. It doesn't matter who you are wherever you are God will reach out to you. Saul after the encounter sets about to pray as he was blinded during the encounter. While in prayer he receives instructions that a prophet would lay hands on him and he would see normally. 

Saul set about preaching the gospel. Just imagine going to the synagogue and finding that the person sent to round up all those preaching that Jesus has risen is now one of them. That will result in no small commotion. Saul before long had to leave as his life was threatened. When he arrived in Jerusalem thank God for Barnabas who stood alongside him and helped him get accepted. Sometimes in life, you need someone's voice to get access to those at the top.

We later encounter Saul in Antioch where Barnabas had brought him from Tarsus where he had hidden. The period between his conversion and the moment when God calls him to active ministry is not a day but years. God will spend time preparing a vessel that He is going to use. Understand that God is not just a God of promise but also of the process of becoming. Whatever God has called you to do learn that God is a God of the process. Saul was called to preach to the gentile world and I can almost imagine him asking and wondering when will the promise come to pass. The process to become involves time and its best to wait for God's timing to get the best results.

Memory Verse: Acts 10:38

Decree: 

Acts 12:7
Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. (italics mine)

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