7. October 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

Sorry for not posting Tuesday and Wednesday.  I got caught up on another project.

We pick up today with after Saul was converted, he was temporarily blinded and give instructions to go into Damascus and wait to be told what to do.   In Damascus, there was a man by the name of Ananias who would receive a vision from God to go and find Saul and lay his hands on him so that his sight might be restored. 

Our text picks up from there:

Acts 9:17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord–Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here–has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. 23 After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

As you can see from our text, Saul struggled to find his place.   His fellow Jews wanted to kill him and the disciples weren’t quite convinced yet that he was a true disciple. 

Barnabas takes him under his wing and vouches for him and the scriptures teach that the church grew and enjoyed a season of piece.

We already know how powerful Paul will become in church history.  It is amazing how God will turn this man’s life around have him ostracized by his community and suspect among the disciples, yet he will become one of the most influential apostles of their time and go on to write two thirds of the New testament books. 

You never know who God will use.   You never know and the biggest threat against Christianity can turn out to be the greatest advocate.  After all, God is in control of ALL. 

Stay encouraged and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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4. October 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

Welcome back from the weekend.   Our study today covers a very familiar topic in the life of the church.  We will be studying the conversion of Saul.

Here is our text:

Acts 9: 1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord–Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here–has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

Wow…  You never know who God is going to use.  Saul was on a mission to kill Christians and thought he was actually protecting his faith.  Saul was a faithful Jew and since many of the Jews were hostile towards Christianity, especially leadership, Saul really thought he was protecting his faith.

God had another plan.    I often think about people in “high places” who are against Christianity and what a powerful witness it would be if they were converted.   It’s not over yet.  Who knows what God will do? 

Stay encouraged and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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1. October 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

We finished Acts 8^th chapter on Yesterday and the ninth chapter begins with the conversion of Saul.   I don’t want to start a new lesson with you at the end of the week, so I will post today where we left off with the Proverbs.  Today we will conclude the 17^th chapter of Proverbs.

Here is our text:

Proverbs 17:10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. 11 An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him. 12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. 13 If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house. 14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. 15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent– the LORD detests them both. 16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom? 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18 A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor. 19 He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction. 20 A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble. 21 To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool. 22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice. 24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. 25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him. 26 It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity. 27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. 28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Have a great weekend.

Stay encouraged and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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