3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus,whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision,“Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
Have you ever had an encounter with God? Have you ever experienced a time in your life where meeting with the one true living God caused your life to be changed forever? Saul did (and became Paul). We can learn from his experience and see what an encounter with God is truly like:
Verse 3 “Now as he went on his way…” – An encounter with God can happen at any time. Be open and receptive to God, invite Him to speak to you and reveal Himself to you.
Verse 3b “a light from heaven shone around him…” – When we encounter God, it is heavens reality intersecting earth. Lift your vision and the focus of your heart from earthly things, to heavenly things.
Verse 5 “Who are you, Lord?”… “I am Jesus” – Saul recognises this is God. An encounter with God is an encounter with Jesus Christ. He is a personal and real God, not an unknown force or unseen power.
Verse 7 “The men who were traveling with him” – These men were from Saul’s previous life as a persecutor of Christians. They left him there. When you encounter God and are changed, old friends leave. Expect change.
Verse 10 ““Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” – God uses those who have already encountered God to help those He wants to encounter as well. An encounter with God never stops with you!
PRAYER: Father, I invite your Spirit and presence into my life. Convict me and change me to become more like you. FIll me with your love and power I ask in Jesus name, Amen.
** I have written an ebook on this topic. It is called How to Encounter God. The book is free for you to download and is available on my facebook page. Go here to download it – facebook.com/edevotional
If you enjoy the book, go here on my blog and leave a comment to encourage others. I appreciate it!
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This is great Bruce! Years ago, I did something that still grieves me. At work one day, several of my co-workers were laughing about someone who they called a “Jesus Freak,” and I laughed right along with them! I was saved years before that but was definitely not walking with the Lord then. A couple of year later, I recommitted my life to Him and was baptized–and to me, there has been no turning back.
Since then, I have had 2 encounters with God where I actually felt I heard His voice, and both times were answers to specific prayers for life-changing situations.
I will never stop sharing the Good News of salvation, and I truly appreciate ministries like yours!
Blessings!
~Anna