An Encounter
And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus. Acts 22:11
Chances are that when you received salvation, you made the choice because you encountered the Holy Spirit. Most likely it was not like the encounter the apostle Paul had on the road to Damascus, but you experienced Him in some way. I know this is true because God’s Word says that we are drawn to salvation by God’s Spirit. I had an encounter the day I received salvation and I have had many meetings since. The truth is whenever I take time to sit quietly and be with Him, He shows up in some way to assure me He is with me and leading my life steps.
The apostle Paul had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and many others. We know that God showed up in the form of an earthquake when Paul and Silas were in the Philippian prison and their chains fell off. We will read in just a few more chapters how the Lord was with Paul when he was in a terrible storm on his way to Rome and we also know that when he talked to God about the messenger of Satan that had come to buffet him, he was comforted with the words “My grace is sufficient for you.” These are just a few of the times God showed up for Paul, yet whenever Paul talked about his encounters with God, he only mentions the first one. This is probably the 3rd or 4th time in the book of Acts that he told his story of conversion to Christianity, and he will do it again many times in the chapters to come. The truth is, Paul’s experience in Damascus is his testimony and that is the message that brought thousands to the saving knowledge of Jesus.
We all have a different story to tell and each one is unique and that is the message we carry to others. When you begin to talk about personally experiencing God to others, the Holy Spirit will draw others to His saving grace through your testimony. You can talk about other times He showed up to rescue or protect you, and how He continues to be faithful day by day too. Just like it was with the apostle Paul, no one can convince you that your salvation isn’t real because you have had a personal connection with Him, and you know in your heart He is real and shows up when you call on Him. When you share your conviction of your personal relationship, that will be all it takes for others to come and receive.
Today I want to encourage you to share your salvation story with those around you. Tell people you know and even those you have just met about God’s great love displayed in your life. Let them know He wants a relationship with them too and how that relationship has changed your life and peace of mind. We only get a few short days in this world to make an impact. You can do so much by simply sharing your story. Start today to tell others how you met Jesus on your “Damascus Road”, and you will not only be planting seeds of interest, but you will also be reinforcing what He is growing in your heart.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 22:1-21
1 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.”
2 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said:
3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.
4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,
5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me.
7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’
8 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’
9 “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.
10 So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’
11 And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there,
13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him.
14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.
15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
17 “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance
18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’
19 So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You.
20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’
21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”
The Daily Dose 