The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 25 January 2020 – TOPIC: DIVINE ENCOUNTER

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TOPIC: DIVINE ENCOUNTER

READ: ACTS 9:1 – 19 (NKJV)1. Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest2. and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.3. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.4. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”5. And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It [is] hard for you to kick against the goads.”6. So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord [said] to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”7. And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.8. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought [him] into Damascus.9. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.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.*THE MESSAGE:*No matter how big a balloon is, a pin deflates it! The power of God over issues of life is supreme. This is what Saul did not realise in his fight against God’s people. Verse 2 of our text reveals that Saul, even in his stage of ignorance, still recognised the disciples as those who were of “the Way!” Remember Jesus’ declaration of His being the Way? Saul had the intention to punish the disciples but God made him one of them. His encounter with Jesus changed his life. Jesus closed his physical eyes for three days so he could see the spiritual reality of salvation. As the scales fell off his eyes, he saw in a new light. It is human to act the way Ananias did towards Saul. However, we commend him for allowing the will of God prevail. Saul the persecutor was now addressed as “Brother Saul” (verse 17). God is wonderful! As we reflect on the life and ministry of Saul (called Paul), there is a call of God upon your life: God has been reaching out to you through many experiences of life. It is time to surrender. Let today mark a turning point in your life. You are not on earth by chance but for a purpose and until you realise that, life will never make sense. Let those scales of confusion in your eyes fall off now so that you can see the reality of salvation and God’s plan for you.*PRAYER:* Take time today to pray for your life, your family and other people you know. Ask God for a touch of repentance for all