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| Speed Bump up ahead! |
Ever been
on a superhighway for a length of time and then find warning signs of a narrow
road ahead….and it becomes one lane and traffic stacks up behind you. Yeah,
that beautiful ribbon of highway cannot be seen for all the construction signs,
all the construction barriers and possible men working on the side of the road. Now where we live, we use an interstate on the Oregon side and for many months
out of the year, a least some portion has areas covered with these barriers, signs and possibly men working. It can cover two-five miles depending on the area they have placed these
articles for use.
And we should be happy about it indeed, because most of it is
shoring up the high sloping ridge of hills that line I-84 from about Multnomah Falls to
Hood River, Oregon. There have been instances where big rocks and boulders alike have chosen to come down to block said highway. In the last few years, one boulder brought some close associates down with him to cause a small V.W. to be blocked. I remember the picture in paper and how the man
survived that big boulder that landed so close to his little car in the early
dark hours of a winter morning! Talk about a scary moment for him, we do not received these kinds of suddenlies.
But we find
these barriers sometimes to us as troublesome, in the truth you have varied
drivers around you, whether long or short lengths of driving distances: those qualifying for the Indy 500, the texting addict who cannot
watch the road, the Semi-driver reaching for his big Mac on the seat next to
him, and the couple with white hair who refuse to do the speed limit, even though it is 50 miles per hour.
But I
really like to watch those who see the construction area end and break a run,
a neck and neck , side by side race, a glancing back and forth of drivers who
seem radical behind the wheel and speed is no problem.
If you have not seen this, come to I-84 and see
who can make it to Portland in record time. I promise this: you will not be
bored, your knuckles will be white gripping the door handle, and your prayers
will be loud as you continue to say Lord, can you hear me?
When people
have been locked up for a long time, you know those who were to shelter in place are the same folks who are really be excited to move
outdoors. Just ask anyone who has been an invalid confined to a bed or wheelchair, a person in hospital for
injuries from an accident he did not commit, and one who has an illness that
caused them to be home-bound. These when made well come out to breath fresh air, and take in as much sun as they can. Yes, all examples, and that is what I think of
these drivers when I see them, they are likes those who did not get to
someplace on time where they were needed, did not get the opportunity to enjoy
a last meal with that parent before their passing, or get to hold that sweet
baby because they moved away and now the silence booms in their hearing. They
long to be in life, loving the sunshine, and enjoying hearing the voice of
their loved ones. Alas, some are on the other side, they have left this earth
for the better in God! But you continue, thanking God you are alive unto him and not to some violence, sickness or people's agenda.
In the life
of Paul the apostle, he started out as Saul committing treacherous acts on The
Way: that is the people who believed in Jesus Christ as Lord. Paul would get
letters from Caiphas to go and breath out cruelties on others!
Foundational Scripture:
Acts 9:1-27 Amplified Bible………Meanwhile Saul, still
drawing his breath hard from threatening & murderous desire against the
disciples of the Lord went to the high priest
2 & requested of him a letter
to the synagogues at Damascus [authorizing him], so that
if he found any men or women belonging to the Way [of life as determined by
faith in Jesus Christ], he might bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem.
Religion will persecute, it harasses, it can kill, is bent
on one path of what one would consider religious freedom, but is the way that
follows into destruction/ death.
3 Now as he traveled
on, he came near to Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around
him, 4 & he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul,
Saul,” Why are you persecuting Me [harassing, troubling, and molesting Me]?” 5
And Saul said, Who are YOU, Lord? And He said, “I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. It
is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the
goad [ to offer vain and perilous resistance].
Goad:
an instrument that was used in guiding or leading the ox….is a considered a
weapon…..is a rod of about 8 feet in length. Has a really sharp point ( ice pick point) and is sometimes
encased with iron . It was the pointed stick to urge the team of oxen. To steer
as with sheep. Kicking against correction ….so if the
correction is not regarded and done, then He will stop you, by sending someone
to speak to you.. and He the Lord will stop what you are doing that which is not in alignment with HIM!
So too Saul was being pricked for his threatening and
murderous desires that he had against those who were disciples of Jesus Christ.
With letter in hand from the High Priest and with intent to stop the followers
of Jesus, Saul was initially operating as an
unbeliever. So while unbelievers may
pray, they do not have the basis for a rewarding fellowship with God. They have
not met the conditions laid down in the Bible for effectiveness in prayer. They have no
salvation!
Saul served his own righteous behavior…….. 6 Trembling & astonished he asked,
“Lord , what do You desire me to do? The
Lord said to him, “but arise and go into the city, & you will be told what
you must do.
7
The men who were accompanying him were unable to speak [for terror],
hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul got up from the ground, but
though his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand
and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was unable to see for three days, and
he neither ate nor drank anything.
Saul was FORCED TO
STOP IN his own endeavors as the Lord prompted him to go to the city of
Damascus. AND prayer was called ……not letters of authority…but.humility
was called for
10 Now there was in Damascus a disciple named Ananias. The
Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. & he answered, ‘Here am I, Lord.’
11 & the Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street
called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul,
for behold he is praying [there]. 12
And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias enter and lay his hands on
him so that he might regain his sight.
13
But Ananias answered, Lord I have heard many people tell about this man,
especially how much evil and what great suffering he has brought on Your saints
at Jerusalem; 14
Now he is here and has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who
call upon Your name.
15 But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a chosen
instrument of Mine to bear MY Name before the Gentiles and kings and
descendants of Israel; 16 For I will make it clear
to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My name’s
sake.
*****17 So Ananias left
and went into the house. & he laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you along
the way by which you came here has sent me that you may recover your sight
& be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18
Instantly something like scales fell from [Saul’s] eyes, & he recovered his
sight. Then he arose & was baptized. 19 & after he took some food, he
was strengthened. For several days [afterward] he remained with the disciples
at Damascus. 20 & immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus,
saying, He is the Son of God!
Ananias obeyed. In the love and grace
of God, he expressed fellowship with Saul.
21 And all WHO heard him were amazed and said, Is not this the very
man who harassed and overthrew and destroyed in Jerusalem those who called upon
this Name? And he has come here for the express purpose of arresting them &
bringing them in chains before the chief priests. 22 But Saul increased
all the more in strength, and continued to confound and put to confusion
the Jews who lived in Damascus by comparing & examining evidence &
proving that Jesus is the Christ the Messiah. He was growing in the Lord…but those who rejected Jesus remained in confusion
23 After considerable time had elapsed the Jews conspired to
put Saul out of the way by slaying him. 24 But [the knowledge of] their plot
was made known to Saul. They were guarding the city’s gates day & night to
kill him. 25 But his disciples took
him at night & let him down through the city’s wall, lowering him in a
basket or hamper. 26 And when he had arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to associate himself
with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he
really was a disciple. 27 However Barnabas took him &
brought him to the apostles, & he explained to them how along the way he had
seen the Lord, Who spoke to him & how at Damascus he had preached freely
& confidently & courageously in the name of Jesus.
In summing up this passage:
Verses 4-6 detail how Saul met Jesus. He heard His voice. Verse
11 he began to pray and received visions…humility opens doors, Verse 18 he was
baptized, Verse 19 he became united in fellowship with those people of God, and
Verse 20 he began to testify in power of the Holy Spirit
Saul lacked God’s presence. In Saul’s belief system…he was
the zealous Pharisee for God.
He was shown his sinful state, who was, yes, a zealous
Pharisee who was against Jesus. He
awakened: immediately went to prayer to God :humility! God spoke to him in
a vision while he was in Damascus!
In his suddenly, the great light of the Lord stopped Saul
from proceeding further into persecution… in his quickness to take out other
believers in Christ Jesus, Saul; endured days of physical blindness: darkness
revealed his life. In His journey to rid those of the Way, those who had faith
in Jesus, was now a struggle for him. This had been his life…and it was
stopped. The hard and harsh was to removed from him and required the Holy
Spirit to break those things off his life….
Romans 8:1-2, 5-8…NKJV 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do
not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of
the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin & death..
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of
the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the
Spirit. Abiding in God is abiding in the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to
be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity
against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So
then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Saul was believing his own way was the right way and all
others were wrong and should die, if need be! His belief system was wrong thinking!
He had a belief system that is and was contrary to things of Jesus of Nazareth.
The meaning of Contrariness......going in opposite direction of
being favorable, an order of evil against another that presents conflict, is one of disobedience & contempt….what
Saul did was ugly & violent against
others.. 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.
When salvation came, his life changed……….
Having the Holy Spirit, Saul could NOW uncover, cultivate as to build
and plant, and support capacity for justice and kindness, rather than harping on people’s failures. Prayer is vital, communication with God
reveals areas that need to change, or be altered to align to His thinking, His
ways……….and not ours.
If you have been on the road a longtime and it seems like
barriers, construction signs and the road narrows, it must be the time to slow
time, commit to a change, for this one will keep you alive unto life and to God
and not to a loss of your life due to changes you refused. We do not serve a
limited God, but we do serve a mighty God who provides, who protects and
guides us with His eye. Listen, He can hear for He is not deaf. Up ahead,
flashing warning signs, take your foot off the gas, break for the slower speed
and take time to hear Him. And He will guide you, take you over, and place you
on the other side of what lies ahead on your pathway or roadway. Amen!
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