Central Truth

To walk in the richness that God has for us, we must listen and obey. Only then like Saul, who became Paul on the Damascus road, are we able to pierce through the darkness, kick off the sometimes thwarting circumstances of this life, and trust God who is faithful.

Reflections

Really?!? “Nearly the whole city assembled to hear the Word of God?" If I lived in those days, I wonder if I would have been one of a handful of folks that might have chosen to stay home that day...all toasty, warm under my flannel sheets sleeping the morning away only to awaken later and have that ever so subtle feeling that I might have missed something, something even miraculous!

I don’t know about you, but there have been times in my life as a believer when I experienced deep sorrow over losing someone or something which meant a great deal to me because I chose to separate my relationship with Christ from obedience to His Holy Word. I was soothed by the pleasures of this world which pacified my conscience and lulled me into a false sense of well-being. When I finally awoke from my slumber, I was horrified at the destruction that lay behind me. If that were the end of the story, then I would certainly have nothing at all to celebrate. But, gratefully, it is not. I am here to testify that God’s Word is alive! And by the power of the Holy Spirit I was able to grab ahold of it for dear life, believe it, and meditate on it in the night hour when my tears dropped like rain. Then, before I knew it, the SON rose up in my defense! Glory Hallelujah!

Just like the disciples in the text, I rejoiced over the Word, because I finally grasped it was true. I wanted to tell anyone who would listen what God had done for me. And finally, I was filled with joy because my God is a merciful God who is still in the restoration business! 

Come Holy Spirit so that we might behold with our eyes the beauty of Your Word. We love You. We adore You. And we desire with our whole heart to place absolutely no one or anything before You.  Amen.

Discussion Questions

1.  What areas in your life are aligned with God’s Word?

2.  Which spiritual discipline might be helpful (i.e. confessing, fasting, solitude, silence, etc.) in developing an even closer relationship with Christ?

3.  Who are the brothers and sisters that could be enlisted to encamp around you for encouragement, spiritual sharpening, and help with any area that you may be having difficulty with?