Faithfully Yours Forever

“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” Acts 9:13-14 (NIV)

Passage: Acts 9:7-20

Ananias was concerned about what the Lord was asking him to do.  He expressed his concern, but the Lord reaffirmed the request.  Has the Lord ever asked you to do something that you didn’t really want to do?  Did you talk to Him about it?  If you did, chances are He didn’t change what it was that He had asked you to do.  Did you do what was asked of you?  How did it go?  Did you receive any blessings for your faithful service or did you struggle or “wander in the wilderness” for a while because of your disobedience?  Father God, may we hear Your voice and Your requests.  May we faithfully obey.  Through our obedience, may we see where and how you have moved in our life and the lives of those around us.  If we failed to respond to Your request or if we chose to go in a different direction than was requested, I pray You have mercy upon us and restore us to a place where we can be of service to You.  Amen.

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. Acts 9:3-5 (NIV)

Passage: Acts 9:1-6

Take a moment and remember when Jesus drew you close and called you to Him.  Was it a frightening time?  Did you know what was happening?  Did you think you were going crazy?  The way Jesus calls us to is often so different from what our everyday life was before we knew and accepted Him as our Lord and Savior.  Praise God for His mercy and grace.  Praise God for His patience and His guiding hand.  May we help others to find their way to Jesus.  Amen.

Who are we to fear?  Scripture tells us.  It is written

But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Luke 12:5 (NIV)

What is it that we are told about the One who can cast us into hell?  We are told what He expects of us.  He tells us of the consequences we will face because of our actions.  He tells us what is unforgivable.  It is written

“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.  But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.  And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Luke 12:8-10 (NIV)

May we be found worthy.  May we, through Christ, be forgiven.  May we seek knowledge, wisdom, and guidance through the daily work of the Holy Spirit.  Praise God. Amen.

Passage: Luke 12:4-12

John, disciple and writer of the Book of John, saw a vision of Christ.  He writes that

The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.  Revelation 1:14-16 (NIV)

Having a vision like this must have been a frightening experience.  No wonder John fell at the feet of Jesus as if he were dead.  What a relief it must have been when Jesus said

“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!  Revelation 1:17b-18a (NIV)

May we find comfort knowing Jesus, the Christ, is alive.  May we continue to find hope through Jesus.  Amen.

Passage: Revelation 1:9-20

I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:23 (NIV)

Passage: John 17:20-26

We are blessed to have Jesus Christ as our intercessor with the Father!  We can take comfort knowing that Jesus prayed and thought of us, and all future believers, even as He was burdened with the knowledge that He would soon be put to death.  In verse 23, we are reminded that we should be in complete unity with other believers.  As we become familiar with the many different parts required for the Body of Christ to function as intended, we may begin to appreciate how being “in Christ” is required for us to be of one mind, or be unified, with others that may seem to be so different from us.  The unity of believers can be an awesome testimony of Jesus’ love for us and of our love for others, because of Him.  May we strive for the unity that would honor Christ’s sacrifice and bring glory to the Father.  May we allow the Holy Spirit to draw us into a close loving relationship with Christ that is required for us to be unified. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)