I pulled the milk out of the refrigerator today. I gave it a hard shake. Every single time that I do this—and I do this most every time I get the milk out of the refrigerator—a moment in time floods my memory bank that brings a smile. It is interesting how an essentially unremarkable incident can embed itself into your brain and never go away.
We had recently moved to Tennessee in the late 1970s. We were visiting “Marycushion.” (A name a youngster had given my aunt and uncle because everyone said their names together as one and that was how she heard it.) Every time that you went to their home they fed you. They were of the generation where that is just what you did. When someone came to your home, you offered them food. And, at Marycushion’s home it was always good food.
As we were getting ready to eat that afternoon, my cousin pulled the milk out of the refrigerator. She gave it a hard shake. As she was doing this, she laughed and said, “I don’t know why I am doing this. This is skim milk and there is no reason to shake it up.“ Every single time that I pull the milk out and start shaking it, I am right back in Marycushion’s kitchen, surrounded by family and food and my cousin is shaking that gallon of milk.
That one little example shows me how important our actions are to those around us, good or bad. Some actions stick in the mind of someone who is watching us forever. The things that we do have an effect, because people are watching us all the time.
Saul, who later became Paul, was someone that followers of Christ had their eyes on. The many actions he took against them probably brought a reaction when they heard his name. In Acts chapter nine, we see that Saul has encountered the risen Jesus. He came away unable to see from his interaction. Those that were with him led him by the hand into Damascus. He was there for three days without being able to see and without eating or drinking anything.
The Lord spoke to a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. He came to him in a vision and called his name. When Ananias heard his name, he answered the Lord saying, “I am here, Lord.” The Lord told Ananias to get up and to go to a street named Straight. He was to go to the house of a man named Judas and ask for one Saul of Tarsus. He told Ananias that Saul was praying. He told Ananias that Saul had seen a vision of a man named Ananias coming to him. In the vision Ananias put his hand on Saul so that he may regain his sight.
Ananias had heard all about Saul from people that were watching him persecute the Church. He answered the Lord and told Him that many people had told him what an evil man Saul was and how many evil things he had done to the saints at Jerusalem. He mentioned that Saul even had authority from the chief priests to arrest anyone that was caught calling on the name of the Lord.
Still, the Lord directed him to do as He told him and go find Saul. He revealed that Saul was a chosen vessel unto Him. He would bear the name of the Lord before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.
Ananias did as the Lord instructed him. He went into the house and found Saul, just as the Lord had told him. He put his hands on him and told him, “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.” Immediately upon Ananias’ words, it was like scales fell from Saul’s eyes. He received his sight at once. He got up and was baptized
How could this passage challenge those that belong to Christ? Ananias had no desire to go to Saul. He had heard of his reputation. The things Saul had done to believers left a big mark on the memories of the young church. The challenge here could be to try and live our lives in such a way that when people think of us they have flashbacks of those that serve the Lord well.
To apply this to our lives we should attempt to behave in a way that will honor God. We should never behave in a way that would cause someone to hesitate to come to us, and possibly miss out on the opportunity to come to Christ.
I can see my faith become stronger as I read how God prepares specific encounters for His followers. He orchestrates events so that we are able to see His hand at work.
Lord, I am thankful that You give me the opportunity to serve You. Being able to have memories of all You have done for me gives me joy and makes me smile. Help me to honor You in all that I do so that anyone watching would be willing to come to me to help them find You.
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“8 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. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. 10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 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: 17 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 the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” Acts 9:10-15,17-18 (KJV)
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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.
What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him? You can know Him. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.
Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ! PeaceWithGod.net
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Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 