IF WE FAIL TO MAKE CHANGES, OUR MISTAKES WILL CONTINUE

BIBLE PASSAGE:
We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me
in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? 
It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
(Acts 26:14)

MEDITATION:
Many times we go about our work thinking (hoping) 
that we are doing a good job.
Whenever we have been given authority by those in charge, 
it confirms the importance of what we are doing.

Saul (later known as Paul) was diligent about his “job” 
of opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
He was totally focused on performing his tasks 
and never considered the overall impact of his accomplishments.

On one particular journey he had been given a special commission from those 
in charge, so more than likely, this heightened his desire to perform well.
“On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority 
and commission of the chief priests.” (Acts 26:12)

He never expected to be made aware of the far-reaching impact of his efforts.
But suddenly he was confronted by the Lord and made aware of how the things 
he was doing were in fact, creating problems, which in essence, persecuted 
the Lord and damaged His desire to see lost souls brought to a saving grace.
Paul had caused fear in people to become followers of the Lord.
“About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, 
brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions.” (Acts 26:13)
“Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied” (Acts 26:15)

We discover that the reason the Lord confronted Saul, 
was to put him on notice that he should not only cease persecuting 
Christians, but he should start a new “job” of promoting the Lord to others.
“Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you 
as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I 
will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending 
you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and 
from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of 
sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (Acts 26:16-18)

Imagine how Saul must have felt when the Lord in essence told him 
that he was doing a lousy job and his efforts were interfering with 
the Lord’s purpose of saving folks.
At the same time, imagine his curiosity, excitement and apprehension 
to discover the Lord had a new life commitment for him going forward.

ACTION:
Think about Saul’s experience and compare it to your own life.
No person wants to be considered as a persecutor of the Lord, do they?
Anything we do that is in opposition to the Lord and His commands, 
results in persecuting the One who gave everything 
so that we could receive salvation. 

In addition, imagine the joy of the opportunity He has for us 
to become an integral and important part of His earthly ministry.
Some may feel that they are unusable by the Lord, 
but if He could use Saul (a person who was imprisoning 
and causing the death of the Lord’s faithful people), 
then He can use anyone to effectively enhance and broaden His ministry.

There is a God, there is a Savior, there is a Holy Spirit, 
there is a heaven, there is a hell, and there is going to be a judgment.
When the final judgment occurs, some will hear the Lord say,
“Well done, good and faithful servant” 
and others will hear Him say, 
“Depart from me, I never knew You”.
Which group do you want to be in when the final judgment  
welcomes some into Heaven, and condemns others to an eternity in hell.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for the things I have done that have 
been detrimental to Your earthly ministry of reaching lost souls. 
Thank You for Your Word which shows me that regardless of my 
past, You can use me in my future. Help me to turn away from  
the things of this world, and start focusing on You and how I can 
contribute to Your efforts to reach lost souls. Thank You for my 
salvation and for Your sacrifice which confirms Your love for me, 
my welfare now, and my eternal destination.”

blog: UTVOLWOODY.WORDPRESS.COM