The Encounter with Christ Brings Transformation

Luke 2:25-35
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29″Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss[a] your servant in peace.
30For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

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1. Some changes that took place in Simeon’s life the moment he met Christ were that now he was ready to die in peace because that moment was the hope he had been waiting for.
2. YES, my life has experienced change and continues to change from the first time I’ve met Jesus until now that I continously meet him daily, I am also being changed daily. My character and desires are being molded to liken His.
3. In order to experience true changes, I should keep my hope in Christ alive. Whatever He has promised me and has declared in His Word, whether or not I see them already coming to pass, I need to hold firm to His Words (and commandments) and believe that God is seeing and will reward those who are faithful to the end. I musn’t lose hope, but rather share His light, the truth of His salvation to all the earth.

Suffering That Brings Forth Change in Character

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Acts 9:10-20
10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13″Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

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1. From yesterday and today’s meditations, I think God’s plans for Saul’s sufferings was so that he could experience that perhaps God is real. He suffered in humiliation perhaps when God spoke to Him in front of others in blinding light, and then he suffered in blindness for three days. However, in all of it, I think it was so that God can stop him (he’s such a busy body perhaps, lol) and reveal Himself to him. God took away his strength so Saul could see his own sins and realize his human limitations and surrender to God.
2. God used a believer in Damascus named Ananias to bring Saul to restoration.
3. I hope my life has helped to bring others back to God’s plan to undergo restoration.

Experiencing Suffering that Produces Repentance

September 8, 2008

Acts 9:1-9

Saul’s Conversion
1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5″Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6″Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
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1. Saul was an avid persecuter of followers of Christ. He was ruthless, uttered threats and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. He wanted to chain both the men and the women. He was a passionate man, but passionate for a bad purpose.
2. Christ changed Saul’s life by appearing to him as a light from heaven (so he didn’t really literally show himself in a bodily form or something) and spoke to him directly. He spoke to him and conversed with him so Saul would know that He is real!
3. God’s changed my heart/character through many experiences that involved suffering. For example, I used to be pretty critical and judgmental, but then God allowed me to go through experiences where I myself fell and needed God’s grace and mercy, and then I began to understand that nobody is perfect, and that we cannot judge others but just love them as God tells us to; also because they are precious in His sight and He loves them!