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Life-altering moments…. (devo reflection)

Acts 9:7a The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless;  

Talk about your life-altering moments. I know Saul had one, as truly he altered his life after this experience and went from being one of the chief prosecutors of Christ to being one of his biggest supporters, but I wonder if this experience changed the men traveling with Saul at all.

 Acts 9:7b …they heard the sound but did not see anyone.

They stood there. They heard the sound but did not see anyone. They stayed with Saul at least for a bit because they led him by the hand into Damascus. Did they stay with him through the entire experience? Were they changed by association? Were they as zealous as Saul in the beginning? Were their hearts softened as well?

Acts 9:8 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. 

Precious Savior, I have so many questions about those connected to Saul during this experience and how their lives may have been changed as a result of his Damascus Road experience. Thank You for an avid curiosity for Your word. Help me to draw closer to You with every breath. Amen.

Acts 9:9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.  

Have a blessed day.

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“Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”…. (devo reflection)

Acts 9:5a “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

I have often said when it comes to making choices–especially big, scary, life choices–that I wish God would give me a big ole flashing neon sign that I can’t miss so that I would absolutely know the choice that keeps me in His will. I’m pretty sure that Saul’s Damascus Road experience is the equivalent of that prayer.

 Acts 9:5b “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 

But here’s what I find so interesting. Saul didn’t pray for flashing neon clarity. He didn’t even think he was out of God’s will. He relished the opportunity to persecute Christians, and he absolutely thought he was doing the right thing, and yet, when he is struck down, he pauses and pivots, asking only “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6 KJV).

Acts 9:6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Precious Savior, Thank You for the enthusiasm You have given me to embrace this life. When I am out of Your will, help me to see it, to know it, to have the strength and grace to say, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” so I can correct the issue. Amen.

Acts 9:7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.  

Have a blessed day.

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A Damascus road experience…. (devo reflection)

Acts 9:1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest… 

The diction of verse 1 catches my attention this morning. Both meanwhile and still mean at the same time. Even though this is the first time in Acts 9, this is an action that had been occurring even during and at the same time as the events in Acts 8. Saul is described by one source as “a Pharisee of Pharisees.” He relished the ability to persecute Christians.

Acts 9:2 …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.  

And while it definitely seems like he enjoyed persecuting Christians, it seems pretty clear to me that prior to his Damascus road experience, he truly believed that persecuting Christians was the right thing to do, and he did it with passion and gusto until the Lord got his attention and helped him to see the light.

Acts 9:3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

Precious Savior, How often am I inadvertently Saul, so convinced that what I am doing is the right thing to do even when it is clearly not. I don’t want to pray for a Damascus road experience, Lord, but if I am out of Your will, please help me to see it, to know it, to correct it immediately. Amen.

Acts 9:4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”  

Have a blessed day.

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Goals…. (devo reflection)

1 Samuel 8:20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

As I read 1 Samuel 8:20, Exodus 14:14 came to mind: “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” The Israelites had this promise, but they wanted to “be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us….” Honestly, it makes me sad. They had something so beautiful–a heavenly King to fight for them–but they wanted to be like everyone else instead.

1 Samuel 8:21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. 

It doesn’t seem so different to me from the scenes when Jesus was led to His death. The people wanted a savior to overthrow the Romans, someone who could save Himself and them. They thought political freedom was the end goal. They didn’t realize that Jesus’s goal was much higher, much broader, much better.

1 Samuel 8:22a The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”

Precious Savior, Forgive us for all the times we get it so very wrong. Help us to have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to recognize You. Root us in Your love, Your mercy, Your grace. Amen.

1 Samuel 8:22b …Then Samuel said to the Israelites, “Everyone go back to your own town.”   

Have a blessed day.

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Life’s about choices…. (devo reflection)

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Conformity exacts payment…. (devo reflection)

1 Samuel 8:12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.  

I said it before, and I’ll say it again: Conformity exacts payment, and sometimes that price is pretty steep. Today’s verses coupled with yesterday’s verses aren’t even a complete list of the cost that will be exacted. As the infomercials say, “But wait! There’s more!” However, the elders have made up their minds.

1 Samuel 8:13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 

I wish I could shake my head sadly and talk about what idiots the elders are being. But I can’t stand in judgment because I’m guilty of the same thing–Knowing the cost of conformity and willingly paying it because I thought it would provide a feeling of security and belonging that I craved. Spoiler alert: Only God can provide those things. This world, which is not our home, can never satisfy us.

1 Samuel 8:14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants.

Precious Savior, Forgive me for the times I have willingly consented to pay the cost for what I thought I wanted and needed. Thank You that You hold my heart in the palm of Your hand, that You know what I truly need, that You provide all my needs. Help me to trust You always. Even when I am afraid. Amen.

1 Samuel 8:15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants.   

Have a blessed day.

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Human Nature…. (devo reflection)

1 Samuel 8:9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.” 

Conformity exacts payment. Sometimes it’s pretty steep. Being like everyone else means denying the individual parts of yourself. Sometimes those who control “the group” expect the followers to openly shun those who can’t or don’t conform. Chances are good that those who are trying to conform are doing so to end or avoid shunning.

1 Samuel 8:10 Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 

Yet even with the warning, they still want to go the route of everybody else. “Give us a king! Give us a king!” And today’s verses are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to warnings. But isn’t that human nature? Even when we know the cost, we still pay the price. God wants to free us from that. He wants us to trust Him even when we are afraid.

1 Samuel 8:11a He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: 

Precious Savior, You know that trusting You when I am afraid is still so hard. Thank You for whispering to my heart again and again and again that You will never leave me nor forsake me, that I can trust You, always. Help me not to be afraid. Amen.

1 Samuel 8:11b …He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots.  

Have a blessed day.

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It’s not personal…. (devo reflection)

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The gift of family…. (devo reflection)

1 Samuel 8:1 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders.  

My church is reading through 1 Samuel 8 this week and I am finding it really interesting. Samuel was a good leader. He raised two boys and appointed them leaders after him. Unfortunately, they were dishonest, accepting bribes and perverting justice.

1 Samuel 8:2 The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba.

Today’s verses have me thinking about parenthood, about my own boys, who seem to be good boys, about how children are raised and how they become who they will become. The hubs and I have done our best to teach our children well. But when they leave our house and enter into the world fully on their own two feet, they will have a choice about whether they continue in the ways they were taught or whether they go the way of the world. I hope they choose well. I think they will.

1 Samuel 8:3 But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.

Precious Savior, Thank You for the gift of family, for the joy and sometimes heartbreak of raising children. Help us to shepherd them well. Once they stand on their own two feet, help them to make good choices. Amen.

1 Samuel 8:4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.

Have a blessed day.

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But the greatest of these is love…. (devo reflection)

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 

There’s so much in these last three verses that it’s hard to know where to start. Because we are human, because we are on this side of the veil, there is so much we don’t know, can’t understand. I have said for many years that by the time I get to ask God all my questions, I won’t care about the answers anymore because I will fully know and be fully known.

1 Corinthians 13:12a For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. 

Verse 13 reminds us that “these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” I find that telling. God wants us to love others as He loves. I once saw a billboard that has stuck with me. It said, “Just love everyone. I’ll sort them out later. ~God” I think that’s at the heart of 1 Corinthians. Love.

1 Corinthians 13:12b Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Precious Savior, Thank You that there will come a day when I will fully know and be fully known. Thank You that some day the distance between us will be removed. Thank You for the reminder that love is the greatest, that I am to love as You love. Help me. Amen.

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Have a blessed day.