APOSTLE PAUL

There was one called, 'Saul', who persecuted Christians, but one day Jesus encountered him, and told him that it is hard for him to kick against pricks. Saul saw Jesus Christ in his glory and accepted him as his personal savior. His name is changed as Paul, who later worked for the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and wrote epistles He was weak, and when he asked God to take away the thorn that he had in his flesh, God replied to him, that, His mercy was enough and in his weakness was his strength.

From Acts Chapters 8 and 9

A man named 'Saul' from Tarsus persecuted the children of God and there was a great persecution against the church that was at Jerusalem. When Christians are persecuted the work of God indeed increases in stead of reduction of it that the persecutors usually expect to be the consequences. The Church during those days when Saul persecuted "scattered abroad the regions of Judaea, and Samaria, except the apostles" Stephen, who stood for Lord Jesus Christ, was stoned to death, and devout men carried him to his burial and expressed their great sorrow over him. Saul made havoc of things in those regions and entered every house and persecuted men and women and imprisoned them. Even as Saul was breathing out his vengeance against Christians and threatening to slaughter them with the proposed letters of authority that he would obtain from the high priest and go to Damascus to the synagogues and bind men and women to send them to Jerusalem, he encountered on his journey the mighty One, against whom he was trying to kick pricks. Saul's threats and persecutions were of no avail and his power and authority were made null and void as he was brought to bite the dust of the earth, when he fell to the ground as a result of the mightiest of the mightier intervened on behalf of his children of God. Saul who was shouting all along threatening the children of God, heard a voice from heaven, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" The question that was asked was worth pondering. The one, who is asking the question, was not directly persecuted, but when the children of God were persecuted, the One that asked the question revealed that it was he, who was hurt, and was persecuted. Here is the reality as to how great confidence a child of God can repose in his Savior that he will not forget his child, but have his name written on the palm of his hands. A mother and father may forget but our Lord will not forget us. Saul senses the reality now, and asks of the Lord, as to who he was. Saul asks him in a general way as any Roman would do, Who art thou, Lord? It may not be mistaken here that Saul was calling Jesus as the Lord, right then, but it was the general way of addressing those days. But then it was the Lord, Jesus Christ, who was answering Saul. The Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Indeed, it is hard to kick for any against the pricks. Saul trembled and astonished when Lord Jesus Christ himself encountered on his way to Damascus to persecute the children of God, saved through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The Lord had great plans for 'Saul', who would later become Paul, and become an Apostle. Lord Jesus Christ asks Saul to arise and go in to the city, where he would show what Saul had to do. Lord Jesus did not reveal to him as to what he would do with Saul, but only commanded him to arise and go to the city, where he would show what he needs to do. The voice of Jesus was so powerful that the men, who were journeying along with him that route, did not see Jesus, but stood speechless, when they heard the voice. In obedience to the command of Lord Jesus, Saul arose from the earth but he was surprised to him as blind. The people who accompanied him took him in to Damascus. Saul remained without sight for three days and he did not eat or drink any thing.

In the meanwhile God prepared another one of his disciples, named Ananias, to go to Saul and lay hands on him and anoint him for the Lord's work. Ananias called Saul as 'Brother' and said to him, that Jesus, who appeared to Saul on his way to Damascus, appeared to him as well, that he might receive sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul was in darkness but then Lord Jesus loved him and chose him to be his vessel to work for him among Gentiles. Saul saw a disciple of Jesus coming to him and praying for him When Ananias prayed for Saul, there fell from the eyes of him what seemed to be like scales and he immediately received sight and he arose and was baptized. Saul was with the disciples that were in Damascus and "straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God" Much later after this (Acts Ch.13), Saul's name was change as "Paul" and he became an Apostle, a great witness for Lord Jesus Christ

Dear Friend,

If you are in such situation, like that of Israelites, who were in safe hands of God, and because of temptations, yielded to sin and backslidden, please return to the forgiving God.  You will be able to sing to the Lord in joy and worship him in heaven falling down before the one who is seated on the throne, saying "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created".  But if you refuse to accept Jesus as your Lord, please be sure that you are securing a place in lake of fire.  God is compassionate, loving and gracious and he will give you eternal life if you confess your sins to him and accept Jesus as your Lord.

God bless you
Leslie M. John

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