THE FALLEN

Acts 26 :1-18...........26:1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: 2 I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, 3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. 5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead? 9 Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. 

12 "While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15 "So I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'    NKJV

In the above we see Paul telling his story to King Agrippa. He tells the testimony he, Paul had against those who followed Jesus of Nazareth. As Paul put it, "INDEED I THOUGHT, I must do many things CONTRARY to the name of Jesus of Nazareth."

He goes on to admit what he did in Jerusalem. He even had saints put into prison and with authority had some put to death. He was so engrossed with believing his way was the right way and all others were wrong and should die, if need be!

Wow! Now that is a bad place to be and have any of us been in that place? That place looks like I am right and you are wrong...........in a belief system that is and was contrary to things of Jesus of Nazareth.

Contrariness......going in opposite direction of being favorable, an order of evil against another that presents conflict, is one of disobedience and contempt

And Paul had written letters from chief priests to fulfill his commission against saints, those followers of Jesus.  As Paul continues, he tells of that eventful day and hour, that at midday, a light from heaven, brighter than the sun and shining all around...........it was shining all around those who were with Paul and they all fell to the ground.

No doubt that something was going on and it happened at midday. Paul heard a voice speaking in the Hebrew language. Is it not interesting that God can speak to us in the language we speak and can understand as individuals?

In Acts 9:4, we read there that Paul fell to the ground, but here we note, that as Paul gives the testimony that all that were with him had fallen to the ground. Paul was in a hurry. He and those he led were on their way to pick up more of those "following" Jesus. That sudden light frightened the animals which they rode. But only Paul heard the word spoken to him. He was the only one we read about that considered the change that was before him.

As Saul, the follower of his ways and the law......to be strict in every sense, was he not the one being led away from his brutal ways of the faithful of God. In reality he, Paul, was now seeing the blindness he had toward Jesus and those who followed the Lord. Those considered His saints, would at last be free from Saul the persecutor, who was persecuting Jesus Himself. Again, not a good place to be and especially not to have ought against your neighbor!

Looks like Saul was touched, not only in his hearing, but in his seeing as well. The Lord came knocking on his heart, and Saul heard. Saul was being made aware that the old was gone and new was here. Will we receive it?

And the Lord spoke his name twice, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"

The Lord was directing something to Saul. He was speaking to him in a warning, ......you Saul are on the edge of dangerous place with Me. He was getting his attention by saying loud "Saul, Saul". Think about the times you have called one of your children to stop doing something. Of course, if you were raised in the South or had parents from the South, you always called the child by their first and middle name.............loudly, making a point to stop now!

This man who studied under Gamaliel, who was in memorization of the law some probable eight hours a day, was now being confronted by the Lord Himself. The zealous Pharisee of his day was being touched by God Himself. (Philippians 3:5) One breathing out cruelties against the disciples of the Lord would prove to be Saul's undoing.

But what Saul had done zealously for the persecution of those who followed Jesus in the Way, proved to be an advantage when he began to serve the Lord.

Saul had been given a message and in it he would.......see that the Lord came to convert him to following Him. It was to beckon Saul to stop kicking, to stop refusing that which the Lord was directing others to......and that was to life and peace. It was having One Lord, who is Lord over All.

Our hearts must be touched by God! In that touching, in that transforming power, He molds us to that image that is becoming and one that speaks of Him always.

Does our heart reveal God and His power that released us from sin and the mundane things to become that which reveals the Lord Who is more than Enough?

Is He that treasure or does something else have our hearts? Our lives should certainly shine in the Light of Jesus and all that we have as a family of God!

Well, Shelley, the Lord has not said my name twice? If He has spoken your name, then is it possible that it is to stop you from moving forward in your plans? Or maybe He has called your name as He desires you to get moving in that which He has placed in you to do for His glory.

I have heard God say my name several times, in an audible voice. That voice was one wanting time with me, it was the voice that desired my attention, and it was a voice of love!
I remember this one time at church, and I was helping others prepare for a service on Sunday morning. I was taking mints out of the closet in the sanctuary and I heard Him speak my name. I responded, "Yes Sir!"

What do I do in those moments? Will I disregard what He is wanting to tell me or will I get caught up in that He mentioned my name?

Others fell with Saul that day! The Word teaches us that, but only Paul was the directed to move to a place and keep going toward the life God intended for Paul. Yes, a name change was coming to Saul and as Paul, he would have a powerful ministry that glorified God every step of the way!

And God desires that for us! Many soldiers fell that day they came in the Garden of Gethesmane to arrest Jesus. Judas gave that kiss of betrayal and Jesus told them "I Am".

They did not hear anything else. They took Jesus bound to the authorities and then to the Cross. Were any of their lives changed, I do not KNOW! BUT ONE THING IS EVIDENT, THAT WHEN WE HEED AND OBEY, WE LIVE TO SEE THE BEST GOD HAS FOR US TO DO IN HIS NAME!

John 18:3-11...................3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?" 5 They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am ......He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Then--when He said to them, "I am......... He,"--they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Then He asked them again, "Whom are you seeking?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8 Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am .........He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way," 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none." 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. 11 Then Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" NKJV

(the italicized words not in the original translation) He....and they

John 8:12..............12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."  NKJV

The great "I AM" brought light to Saul who would become Paul. He, Jesus brought to us light, so that anyone who would follow Him would have the light of life! Following Jesus brings us to the "new"........it is that life that is "awakened" to the spiritual and to that eternal life guaranteed to every believer who speak His name as Lord!

John 8:48-58.........48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?" 49 Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death." 52 Then the Jews said to Him, "Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, 'If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.' 53 "Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Whom do You make Yourself out to be?" 54 Jesus answered, "If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. 55 Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, 'I do not know Him,' I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." 57 Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" 58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. NKJV

Abraham was the created.........and Jesus the Creator.......before Abraham I AM! 

Hebrews 13:8........

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

NKJV

John 20:30-31.................

30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.    NKJV

As in the case of Jesus being surrounded by His disciples, many signs were done. Truly Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that (in) believing you and I may have life in His name. We saw the same for Paul. Surrounded by many, but went from the fall to the ground, to blindness, to waiting in prayer to hear from a saint of God (remember Ananias the disciple) who came to witness to him?  He came to bear witness that Saul was to be a chosen vessel of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and to go and bear His name before the Gentiles.

Acts 9:10-19........................10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." 11 So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight." 13 Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.    NKJV

Truly, God has a plan. Many had fallen, not only those in the regiment that came for Jesus, but also those who "rode" with Saul. But it those who will hear with their ears and see with their eyes, and have their hearts touched by God that CHANGE WILL COME.

If we run from church to church and trying to destroy those called by the Lord for the purpose of bringing the Kingdom of God to others, we too become like a "Saul". Are we complaining of the teaching or preaching from the pulpit? Are we trying to bring shame on one who is called by God to deliver the message of salvation to the world?

Philippians 2:9-11.............9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  NKJV

Yes, the same apostle Paul wrote this.....God highly exalted him and gave Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus, EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus is God. There are NO OTHER GODS BEFORE HIM. HE IS THE ONE AND ONLY. 

1 Corinthians 8:4...............4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. NKJV

1 Timothy 2:5-7.............5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle--I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying--a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.        NKJV

Many will fall, but those who come to Jesus will stand on His truth. Rejecting truth will always bring us to a place that "must be addressed with correction". The continual correction on this point may lead us to a place of destruction. We should truly want to hear Him and make the changes to keep our course straight in His plan.  Will we submit and obey? Or will we be like that "old dragon" satan who at the end coming soon will have to......... heed,  and kneel before our Great God?

There was a friend of our daughter's who had this license plate on his vehicle. It was this.............."U will bow". He no longer lives in this area, but moved away some years ago. He had that license plate for as long as he was in this state of which we live.

I think of that often. Because everyday, we either choose now to bow, or wait till it is too late and will bow.......but at the end when Jesus returns here will we spend eternity in a hell repeating the most horrific things or be on bent knee worshiping the Lord?   God has appointed us once to death.........Hebrews 9:27.....and in asmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ (28) also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without sin, to those who eagerly await Him. Even the adversary, the devil, will bow when Jesus returns and we should know what that will look like, right?

God has called those to fulfill His plan for these last days............He has the teachers, the pastors, and the prophets in place to minister! Will we be like Saul and breathe out cruelties against those called to minister the Word, or will we truly seek to worship God and find out what He expects us to do when we find ourselves criticizing His anointed man or woman of God?

Father, in Jesus' name, we are but for a moment, You are the God before time. You are the eternal God, the everlasting Father, we are but vapor. It is our true desire to worship you in song and word. It is our whole-hearted desire to sing of Your love forever.............that we would bow before and bless YOU! Today, our trust is in You...........and with all our heart, we lean not to our own understanding, but in all our ways to life and living with husband, children, and those we work with and do ministry with, we ask YOU to direct our paths concerning each we may have listed from the above. We no not desire our wisdom, but the wisdom that is from above, that which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:17)

May we be the discerning where wisdom is found on our lips. (Prov. 10:13) May we be the prudent who with Your wisdom give thought to our ways today concerning that which we must make decisions concerning those things pertaining to our home, children, job, or ministry. We desire to make our decisions based on prayer in Your Word, with sound wisdom, and trusting You God . We understand there is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. (Prov. 21:30) Help us to make the needed adjustments, please!

We have seen this in Your Word concerning Saul who would become Paul and serve YOUR purposes for the Kingdom of God! Our desire Lord, may we be those who speak with wisdom and have faithful instruction on our tongues.

Our desire is to bless You on bent knee and declare Your goodness to others. May we bless You this day and bring honor to Your Holy NAME. AMEN.

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