October 18, 2021: SOAP #4337:  Job 3-4; Acts 8-9

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 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.

OBSERVATION: Before Saul’s conversion, he actively persecuted believers.  He was on his way to arrest believers in Damascus when he was confronted by the Lord and struck blind.  He continued into the city where Ananias prayed for Saul and his sight was restored.  Then Saul spent several days with the disciples he had come to arrest. 

APPLICATION:  I can only imagine the conversations that happened between Saul and the believers in Damascus.  Maybe he stayed as a guest in one of their homes; he spent several days with them.  He not only interacted with the believers but began preaching publicly in the synagogues! 

What a testimony it was!  There is nothing like a fresh testimony.  It lets people know that God is at work today.  It builds faith that God is interested in interacting with people.  What God has done for me He will do for others. 

Letting others know what God has done for me is one way of letting God know how much I appreciate His blessing. 

PRAYER: Lord, every day you are at work.  Every day you give me something fresh from the scriptures.  I pray that you will use these SOAPs to encourage every reader that you will speak to them also.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!