Change

A change in a person

I have used Paul speaking to people in Colosia and Philippi but he wasn’t always a follower of Jesus. His name was originally Saul. He persicuted Christians and when he did things he did them officially. For example before leaving for Damascus he got written permission from the Priests in Jerusalem to go to the Damascus synagogues and take any men and women followers of Jesus bind them and have them taken to Jerusalem. Then this happened on the road to Damascus.

Saul suddenly saw all around him a very bright light. He fell on his face and everyone around him heard these words:

‘ Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’

Then Saul asked this question:

‘ Who are you?’

The voice: ‘ I am Jesus who you persecute, it is hard for you to kick against the pricks.’

Saul trembled with astonishment and asked this question.

‘ What do you want me to do?’

The voice: ‘ Get up, and go into the city, and there you will be told what to do.’

Paul got up, opened his eyes and couldn’t see anything. He was lead into the city and he stayed this way for three days, not eating or drinking.

Then God spoke to another person, Ananias.

‘ Get up, and go into the road which is called Straight, and ask in the house of Judas, for a man called Saul of Tarsus, because he is praying and has seen a vision of a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he may receive his sight.’

Ananias protests: ‘ Lord I have heard many evil things about what this man has done to saints in Jerusalem. He even has permission and the authority to bind up all who call on Your name.’

God’s answer: ‘ Go your way for he is chosen by Me to carry My name to the Gentiles and Kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him the great things he must suffer for My Name’s Sake.’

And so that is what happened. Saul became Paul and wrote as a Christian persecuted in prison to other believers and us today. From persecutor to persecuted. A dramatic change.

The tide is out! When will it come back again?

Change to our Earth.

…’ and, says John on the Island of Patmos, I saw a new heaven and a new earth…and I saw the holy city new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying:

‘ Look, the tabernacle of God is with people, and He will live with them, and God himself will be with them and God will:

wipe away all tears,

and their will be no more death,

no sorrow,

no crying,

nor pain

for these things are passed away!

” Look I will make all things new.”

These are verses summarised by me from Revelations 21: 1-7

Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and take courage to read chapters 19 and 20. There are changes coming.

The sea coming in and slowly taking out the circles of sand.

Take care,

Sandy 🙂

Ps

One quote about change and an explanation for an expression used in this story of Paul.

‘ If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.’ Lao Tzu 571 BC

‘ Don’t kick against the pricks’ means it is futile and self- destructive to resist rightful authority, truth, or God’s guidance, causing more pain for yourself. It originates from ancient Greek and is famously used in this story of Jesus confronting Paul.