Happy Monday!

Hello Ladybugs! Happy belated Monday to you! I have a couple of prayer requests for you gals today...I have a friend that is really going through some trying times right now and I would like for you all to remember her and her family right now. I also am having some health "issues" nothing serious but serious enough that I would like for you to pray about it. I am so thankful to have you girls in my life! Just knowing that you are speaking to the Lord on my behalf is such a blessing to me. Let's get started while we still have some Monday left shall we?

Let's start by getting our Bibles and turning to Acts 9:10-25..It is alot to type out for me today, and since I am so late starting on "Happy Monday" I didn't think you gals would care to get your Bible's and read this one.

We'll stop and consider this verse together:

(vs.21)
All who heard him were astounded and said,"Isn't this the man who, in Jerusalem, was destroying those who called on this Name?"

Reflection:
What changes has Christ made in your life since you put your trust in Him? Even if you recieved him as a child, how is He continuing to change you...as recently as today?

How do you react to your seemingly constant need for repentance and refinement? Does it drive you crazy? Does it discourage you? Or does it comfort you to know that He's still willing to keep working on you? (Praising God right now for still working on me!!)

There are few things more precious to me than the expression's on my newborn babies faces as they were suddenly cast from the darkness of the womb into the bright lights of the delivery room. I can remember both laughing and crying with all of them, they all had this indignant look on their lil faces, as if they were saying,"Ok! Would the wise guy who turned on that light mind turning it off!!"
Many years ago when a grown man was born again on the dusty road to Damascus,a light came on that no one was able to turn off. We will soon discover many who tried. The Lord told Ananias to look for Saul praying at a certain house. The Bible doesn't tell us the content of Saul's prayer , but it does tell us what happened next. Ananias came to Saul, and...
Then he placed his hands on him and said,"Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. (Acts 9:17-18)
Paul's version of these events appears in Galatians 1:14-18. He was careful to tell the reader that he did not consult any man but went immediatly into Arabia following his conversion. Apparently Saul thought he'd better get to know the One who obviously knew him so well. He had already learned more about scripture in his young years than most learn in a lifetime. What he needed now was to come to grips with the Author. When his quiet exile with the Savior was over, he then approached the ancient city of Damascus. Strange thoughts had to have been going through his mind. He had first came here to profane the name of Christ and now he was coming to preach the name of Christ. He first came to Damascus to take prisoner the followers of the Way. In fact, we read that " Saul grew more and more pwoerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ" (Acts 9:22) This verse tells us 2 wonderful things about Saul:

1. He grew more powerful: The supernatural power that God gave to Samson physically, God gave to Saul spiritually.
2. He proved to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ:The word translated as "proved" means to cause to come together, to knit together. What did he knit together? The old and the new! He knit the teachings of the Old Testament Law and Prophets with their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

Can you imagine how much differently Saul must have approached the city this time? Every step that he had taken carried a new signifigance. Damascus was northeast of Jerusalem, so Saul walked past the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane. He walked through the city gates where his face was recognized instantly. The chief priests expected him to return with prisoners. Instead, only one prisoner returned: A prisoner of Jesus Christ.

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father, we love You so much Lord. Help us Lord to be like Saul, be a prisoner for YOU Lord and not for the things of this world. We get so caught up in our own comforts Father and in turn we lose our focus. Many of us Lord have battles going on in our homes that only You know the details of. Help us to put on the armour of God and be prepared for battle. I know that I speak for all of us when I say Lord, our hope, our joy and our happiness is in You Lord and not our health, wealth or any other worldly thing that exists right now. We are in the storms of life Jesus, we need You to guide us Lord, and as You are, help us to lead others to You Father! In Your Precious Holy Name We Pray...AMEN!!!!!!

Go ahead if you haven't already Ladies...raise your hands up and praise Him.
I love you so very much!

In Him I Remain,
Shana