Conversion: January 10, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JANUARY 10, 2012.

CONVERSION

DEFINITION:

Spiritual change from sinfulness to righteousness; a change of attitude, emotion or viewpoint.

SCRIPTURE:

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.” Acts 9:17.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Yesterday the “WORD” discussed was “Conviction.” We left off when Saul and Jesus had their encounter. Saul was under great conviction and Jesus told Saul to “Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what you must do.” (Acts 9:6).

Saul did just what the Lord told him to do but we need to remind you that the Lord knew that Saul needed time for the Holy Spirit to do His work in Saul’s heart. Obediently, Saul waited for three days for God’s next words.

During these three days Saul was blinded. His eyes were closed. Saul was unable to eat or drink for these three days. The trauma drained all of Saul’s strength and he was completely exhausted. During these three days the Lord saw that Saul’s mind was completely shut up in the world of thought alone. He was left alone to pray and repent over his shameful deeds and to wonder what changes would happen in his life now.

Although Saul had lost his physical vision, he had a new vision of what he was and who Jesus was. Surely Saul must have visualized every stone he cast at Stephen as a stone cast at God, and every believer’s home he had stormed into as a home of those who worshipped God. Now he saw every man and woman that he drug through the streets as being a true follower of God.

After hours of seeing the past, Saul had to wonder, “Why was Jesus choosing him, the one who so fiercely opposed the Lord? “What did Jesus want from him and what was He going to tell him to do?”

The Lord now needed someone to help Saul come to know Christ and to be with Saul in his new found faith. God always has His people ready to do His work. God chose Ananias to lead him in his new found faith in the Lord (the verse above). God had changed Saul’s name to Paul, but Ananias knew all about Paul (when he was Saul) and just imagine the concern that Ananias had about going to the house where Paul was. Would Saul arrest him and take him to prison as he had done to so many others who followed Jesus?

Upon the arrival of Ananias at the house, God began to do His work. God gave Ananias the right words and the power to restore Paul’s eyesight. Ananias was willing to face difficult assignments. Reaching out and helping someone who denies that Jesus is God’s Son is always difficult and even more so with a person such as Saul. The more depraved the convert has been, the more difficult is the task.

Where do you stand today? Are you one that is waiting for the hour that you have your encounter with God? If so, now is the time. God is waiting for you to ask for forgiveness for your sins.

Are you the one waiting for God to lead you into the life of a new believer? God has that person for you today. Just pray and read the Bible and you will be amazed at the doors God will open for you.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:5.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

PRAYER:

Help me to realize today that if I have never asked Jesus into my heart that now is the time. I ask You to forgive me of all my sins and I accept You as my Lord and Savior. I ask You Lord to lead me to a person today that I can share my testimony of faith and help them know you as their Savior.