After an Encounter

After an encounter with Jesus, Saul went blind and didn't eat or drink for three days. God called Ananias to go pray for Saul, even though Ananias was afraid because Saul had been persecuting Christians. Ananias obeyed and Saul received his sight and the Holy Spirit. Saul then stayed with the disciples and began preaching. It is important to share our encounters with God and proclaim the gospel so that others may come to know Him. We should not keep our experiences to ourselves, but go and teach all nations. Remember the memory verse from Matthew 28:19-20. Most Gracious and Everlasting Father, we give you praise and we thank you for the gift of life this morning. Thank you, Lord, for calling us to come and listen to you, to come and commune and have fellowship with you. We do not take it lightly our time together, Lord, in the mornings. As we gather at your feet, we pray, O God, that you speak to us words that will gladden our hearts, that you speak to us words that will bring us encouragement, words, O God, that will cause us to be empowered for the rest of the days of our lives. We give you praise. We give you honor. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. Shalom, Beloved. This is Pastor and Mrs. Bruce Smith coming your way once again with today's edition of Morning Glory Devotion. As we look together into God's Word, we know that God would send forth His Word into our lives, that together we shall be edified and quickened to fulfill His divine mandate upon our lives in the mighty name of Jesus. Let us take our confession together from Joshua chapter 1 verse 8. Joshua chapter 1 verse 8 This book of the Lord shall not depart out of my mouth, but I shall meditate in it day and night, that I may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then I will make my way prosperous, and then I will have good success. Amen. Indeed, we will have good success. Amen. Our theme for today is After an Encounter. After an Encounter. And we shall take our scripture reading from Acts chapter 9 verse 1 to 19. Acts chapter 9 verse 1 to 19. I read from the King James Version. And Saul, yet breathing out threatenance and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus. And suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. And he fell to the earth and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecuted. It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the man which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth, and when his eyes were opened he saw no man, but they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was there three days without sight, and neither eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. And to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, here I am, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the street which is called street, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus. For behold, he prayed, and had seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his height. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man how much evil he had done to thy saint at Jerusalem. And here he had authority from the chief priest to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way, for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and Kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house, and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in thy way, as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there saw from his eyes as it had been scales, and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul setting days with the disciples which were at Damascus. Beloved, this is the word of God. Thanks be to God. Amen. After Saul encountered Jesus on his way to Damascus, he went blind and did not eat or drink for three days. One may be wondering why and what Saul was up to during that time. I'm sure he was having some time with God, trying to know Him, and asking the questions he had in mind. The Bible says that Saul was praying, and in the course of it had a vision of Ananias. I believe those were the beginning of a moment of transformation in his life. While Saul was in these moments, God in a vision called Ananias and told him to see Paul pray for him for him to receive his sight. Ananias, upon hearing this, was terrified and worried, and afraid. Why? Because he knew Saul to be someone who had the warrant to arrest all the people that stood for Christ. He was hesitant, but God said in verse 15, Go, this man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their king, and before the people of Israel. I'm sure that he remembered that if he loves God, he ought to obey His commandments. He visited Saul, placed his hand on him. Saul received his sight, received the Holy Spirit, and got baptized. Dearly beloved, in our daily walk with God, He sometimes lays burdens on our hearts for souls. He sometimes instructs us to go to that brother or sister, that wee smoker, that prostitute, that drunkard, that guy or lady that mocks you or hurts you all the time. It can be very terrifying sometimes, and you might want to do all you can to flee. I want to encourage you this morning. Don't be afraid when those moments come up. For He said in His words that He would not leave nor forsake us. He said that the heart of the king is in His hands, as a river of water. He turns it wherever He chooses. He also said that He has given us power to tread serpents and scorpions underfoot, and to trample on all the powers of the day anyway. When you receive these burdens or instructions, harden not your heart. It is the greatest desire of God that all will come to repentance. Remember He said we should go ye therefore to teach all nations. Beloved, someone's salvation, deliverance and breakthrough lies in your obedience. Ananias obeyed and so received his sight. Bible says, scales fell off his eyes. There's this part of the Bible that talks about the fact that the God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ. I am sure Saul found himself in the same situation. But because Ananias obeyed, his story changed. His eyes were opened to see the light of the gospel. Saul didn't end there. He decided to stay with the apostles, the disciples for a while, then began to preach. Bible says, Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews. He just couldn't sit. He had to share what he had received. It reminds me so much of the story in the Bible where the Samaritan woman met Jesus. After her encounter with Jesus, she rushed to share the testimony. John chapter 4 verse 39 to 42 says, Many of the Samaritans from the town believed in him because of the woman's testimony. He told me everything I ever did. So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them. And he stayed two days. And because of his words, many more became believers. He said to the woman, We no longer believe just because of what you said. Now we have heard for ourselves. You know that this man really is the savior of the world. I remember the apostles on the day of Pentecost after their encounter. Bible says, Peter stood with the eleven and addressed the Jews. He ended up with a salvation message and 3,000 men were saved on that day. Beloved, the encounters and experiences we have with God is not for us to keep. It is for us to proclaim the gospel. To share our testimony so that all may come to the saving knowledge of Christ. There are people out there who need to know the truth in order to be set free. It is up to us to let them know that there is only one way. To let them know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. The harvest is plentiful. People are in need of healing and salvation. He said, Behold, I come quickly and my reward is with me to give to everyone according to his work. After your encounter God, please don't keep it to yourself. Don't keep it in your closet. Go ye into the world and preach the gospel. God bless you. We will take our memory verse from Matthew chapter 28 verse 19 to 20. Matthew 28 19 to 20 And I read from the King James Version. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen. Beloved, let us share a word of prayer. Thank you Heavenly Father for your word this morning. We ask that grant us grace and strength to accept and obey your leadings and instructions in Jesus name. Amen. Beloved, have you yet encountered the Lord? An encounter with the Lord is very necessary to give credibility to your witness. Shalom and have a fruitful day. Do not forget to share the link with your friends, family and loved ones. And stay tuned for spirit-fueled registrations. Have a blessed day.