“A CHOSEN INSTRUMENT OF MINE!”

 Acts 9:15-18                                       (ESV)

“[15] But the LORD said to him (Ananias), “Go, for he (Saul) is “A CHOSEN INSTRUMENT OF MINE” to carry MY NAME before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. [16] For I WILL SHOW HIM how much HE MUST SUFFER for the sake of MY name.” [17] So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the LORD JESUS WHO appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight AND BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.” [18] And immediately something like SCALES FELL FROM HIS EYES, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;”

Early this month I was privileged to write about the “SCALES FELL FROM HIS EYES”, a recounting of the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus.  The point that when GOD is ready to remove the SCALES (impediments) from our eyes, they WILL BE removed is something that is often overlooked. Today I am moved to emphasize the words earlier used in the text of Scripture that points out that Saul was a “CHOSEN INSTRUMENT OF MINE”.  And just WHO is the MINE that is being spoken of in Acts 9:15?  

Breaking it down more plainly the verse begins with “But the LORD said to him (Ananias)”! A couple of verses later Ananias says “Brother Saul, the LORD JESUS WHO appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight AND BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.”  Now I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but “the LORD” and “the LORD JESUS” must be the same person???  Being a “CHOSEN INSTRUMENT OF MINE” indicates therefore that Saul was “set aside” by THE CREATOR (Colossians 1:16) of ALL for HIS GLORY!

We too have been CHOSEN before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) by our CREATOR if indeed we are “set aside”!  We might be CHOSEN to be a mouthpiece of Salvation (Paul), or simply someone who spreads the WORD to one person (Ananias)!  We have to recognize and realize that being a “CHOSEN INSTRUMENT OF MINE” is simply being USED by our CREATOR for HIS GLORY!?!?!

“HIS SPIRIT WHO DWELLS IN YOU!”

 Romans 8:9-11                       (ESV)

“[9] You, however, are not in the flesh but in the SPIRIT, if in fact the SPIRIT of GOD dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the SPIRIT of CHRIST does not belong to him. [10] But if CHRIST is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the SPIRIT is life because of righteousness. [11] If THE SPIRIT OF HIM WHO RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD DWELLS IN YOU, HE WHO raised CHRIST JESUS from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through “HIS SPIRIT WHO DWELLS IN YOU”.”

Keeping this expose (reveal, unmask) as brief as possible, as Believers we MUST daily remember that “HIS SPIRIT WHO DWELLS IN YOU” is not some mystic power that is written about like a storybook character!  GOD ALMIGHTY IS the ONE of WHOM the Apostle Paul was writing about, the ONE WHO spoke to him on the road to Damascus recorded in Acts 9.  The Apostle Paul was very familiar with WHO JESUS is/was, but we have to rely on FAITH to bring HIM ALIVE into our lives.  

“If THE SPIRIT OF HIM WHO RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD DWELLS IN YOU, HE WHO raised CHRIST JESUS from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through “HIS SPIRIT WHO DWELLS IN YOU”!  My body is in dwelled by THE SPIRIT OF HIM WHO RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD to live again!!  GOD raised JESUS FROM THE DEAD, therefore HE DWELLS IN WE WHO BELIEVE!!!

“HIS SPIRIT WHO DWELLS IN YOU” can NOT be minimized!  The SPIRIT OF GOD indwells me!!!

“YOU ARE WITNESSES!”

 Ruth 4:7-10                          (ESV)

“[7] Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel. [8] So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal. [9] Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. [10] Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. “YOU ARE WITNESSES” this day.””

Boaz was known as a KINSMAN REDEEMER.  A KINSMAN REDEEMER is described as “The kinsman-redeemer is a male relative who, according to various laws of the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need.”  

The testimony of Ruth’s faithfulness to her mother-in-law was relayed to Boaz and he was moved by it.  In Ruth 2:11 he told Ruth  “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before.”  For those who can’t SEE what was taking place, Ruth was being taken care of by a HIGHER POWER……GOD ALMIGHTY!!

In the first chapter of Matthew the lineage of JESUS THE CHRIST is being documented.  It is written “and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of BOAZ BY RUTH, and Obed the father of Jesse,”.  Although Boaz had possessions, Ruth was gleaning left overs for her and her mother-in-law to survive!  GOD USED this servant SPIRIT displayed by Ruth to be apart of bringing salvation to earth!!!

Never underestimate how GOD is using the smallest things for HIS GLORY!  When you do something in HIS PLAN, HE WILL BLESS IT!!!  It might not be as dramatic as bringing the SAVIOR into “this world”, but “YOU ARE WITNESSES” to HIS HANDIWORK, and that is PLENTY!!!

“ALL SCRIPTURE!”

 2 Timothy 3:16-17                 (ESV)

“[16] “ALL SCRIPTURE” is BREATHED OUT by GOD and PROFITABLE for TEACHING, for REPROOF, for CORRECTION, and for TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, [17] that the man of GOD may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

In the current climate of “needing to know” everything about everything, it is common to gather information from a myriad of sources including lies and propaganda.  There are innumerable social media platforms that serve as a source for information, but they don’t verify the validity of what they are sharing with us.  How can we verify that things are undeniably TRUTH?

“ALL SCRIPTURE” is the ONLY source of information that has the verification of being inspired by our CREATOR!  “The enemy” has attempted to infiltrate lies and propaganda into “ALL SCRIPTURE”, but lies cannot be verified as TRUTH!  

“ALL SCRIPTURE” is enough, for ALMIGHTY GOD would have given us more if it were needed!  Why then is it SO difficult to “find the time” to immerse ourselves in “ALL SCRIPTURE”?  Could it be that the great deceiver is busy deceiving???  “ALL SCRIPTURE” needs to be what we constantly FEAST on!!!

“FOR MY SAKE!”

 Mark 8:34-35                       (ESV)

“[34] And calling the crowd to HIM with HIS disciples, HE said to them, “If anyone would come after ME, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF and take up his cross and follow ME. [35] For whoever would save his life will lose it, BUT WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE “FOR MY SAKE” and the gospel’s will save it.”

Having traveled “the road assigned” to me has been remarkable!  Having married PRECISELY who our CREATOR “chose” for me and HIM should be the primary reason for acknowledging HIS OMNIPOTENCY, but surrendering to HIS HEAVENLY POWER is something that occurs everyday that HE permits me to inhale another BREATH of HIS air (Isaiah 42:5)!  

In reality, NONE of us have the wherewithal to navigate through ”this world” on our own.  It is quite understandable to become so “successful” that we are tricked into believing that we are “in charge” of our destiny, but “the road assigned” to me has revealed to me how much our plans  can be changed.  

Surrendering THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES isn’t as simple as say buying something new (a new car) and showing it off to our friends!  When I was placed into the drug-induced coma in 2007 to my recollection I wasn’t consulted by anyone?  I was just given the medicine required to calm me down for 17 days!  When I was brought out of the coma I was RADICALLY changed by something or SOMEONE far above my comprehension.  

Did I FULLY understand then what had occurred in my brain when I was brought out of the coma?  Do I FULLY understand today what occurred inside of my head?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!  But I do better understand that the ONE WHO IS IN CONTROL is ABLE to execute HIS PLAN for our lives???  From where HE has brought me, I am FULLY ready to accept HIS PLAN for my life and submit to whatever is “FOR MY SAKE” for my future!!!

Romans 8:26-27

 Romans 8:26-27                   (ESV)

“[26] Likewise the SPIRIT helps us in our weakness. For WE DO NOT KNOW what to pray for as we ought, but the SPIRIT HIMSELF intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. [27] And HE who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the SPIRIT, because the SPIRIT intercedes for the saints according to the will of GOD.”

“I AM JESUS!”

 Acts 9:1-19                       (ESV)

The Conversion of Saul

“[1] But Saul, STILL BREATHING THREATS AND MURDER against the disciples of the LORD, went to the high priest [2] and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to THE WAY, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. [3] Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly A LIGHT FROM HEAVEN shone around him. [4] And falling to the ground, he heard A VOICE saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME?” [5] And he said, “Who are YOU, LORD?” And HE said, “”I AM JESUS”, WHOM YOU ARE PERSECUTING. [6] But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” [7] THE MEN WHO WERE TRAVELING WITH HIM STOOD SPEECHLESS, HEARING THE VOICE BUT SEEING NO ONE. [8] Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. [9] And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

[10] Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The LORD said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, LORD.” [11] And the LORD said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, [12] and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” [13] But Ananias answered, “LORD, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to YOUR saints at Jerusalem. [14] And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on YOUR NAME.” [15] But the LORD said to him, “Go, for he is a CHOSEN instrument of MINE to carry MY NAME before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. [16] For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of MY NAME.” [17] So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the LORD JESUS WHO appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT” [18] And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; [19] and taking food, he was strengthened.”

There is MUCH to be gained from Acts 9, but because of the length of the Scripture shared today the focus will be on “I AM JESUS” and who was mentioned as being CHANGED by the Damascus Road experience.  According to Acts 9:7 “ THE MEN WHO WERE TRAVELING WITH HIM (Saul) STOOD SPEECHLESS, HEARING THE VOICE BUT SEEING NO ONE” were awestruck by what they SAW?  They were  enough men sent by the high priest to capture any Believers in THE WAY and bring them bound to Jerusalem.  

Saul (who was later named Paul) is the only person who was recorded as being CHANGED by his encounter with JESUS?  But SEEING what THE MEN observed MUST HAVE impacted those who were following Saul during his quest, wouldn’t you think?  To actually HEAR the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES SPEAK to someone who HE had CHOSEN THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE WORLD (Ephesians 1:4) had to impacted their lives? 

But unless ALMIGHTY GOD “CALLS” HIS CHOSEN, they will NOT HEAR HIS VOICE (Romans 8:28-30)!  THE MEN traveling with Saul that day heard “I AM JESUS” speaking to Saul, but were they CHANGED by the experience???  Does my life exhibit ample evidence that I HAVE BEEN CHANGED?  My prayer is that when people observe me they will KNOW that I have HEARD from “I AM JESUS”!!!

“THE WORD OF CHRIST!”

Romans 10:17                      (ESV)

“[17] So FAITH comes from hearing, and hearing THROUGH “THE WORD OF CHRIST!”

Psalm 119:160

    [160] The sum of “YOUR WORD” is TRUTH,

        and every one of YOUR RIGHTEOUS RULES endures forever.”

Do you ever find yourself desiring to “grow in the FAITH”?  Scripture plainly states in the verses above that hearing “THE WORD OF CHRIST” brings forth FAITH!  

“YOUR WORD” doesn’t change to fit the times, it “endures FOREVER”!  Humanity needs to accept that THE ANSWER to the intricacies of “this world” is spending more time allowing “THE WORD OF CHRIST” to mold us into the vessels we are CREATED for……by our CREATOR!!!

“THE ROCK!”

 Psalm 61:1-3                     (ESV)

Lead Me to the Rock

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.

    “[1] Hear my cry, O GOD,

        listen to my prayer; 

    [2] from the end of the earth I call to YOU 

        when my heart is faint.

    Lead me to “THE ROCK”

        that is higher than I, 

    [3] for YOU have been my refuge,

        a strong tower against the enemy.”

King David was a man after GOD’S OWN HEART (1 Samuel 13:14), yet he was seemingly constantly praying “Lead me to “THE ROCK”” that is higher than I!  When will I SEE that I am flawed and in need of being led to “THE ROCK” instead of trying to do HIS WORK on my own??

“Lead me to “THE ROCK” LORD and remind me that I need YOU for everything I accomplish in my life!!!

“ALL THINGS!”

 Colossians 1:17               (ESV)

“And HE (CHRIST JESUS) is before “ALL THINGS”, and in HIM “ALL THINGS” hold together.”

My Brain Damaged mind has to almost constantly to be reminded that the ONE WHO CREATED “everything” IS IN CONTROL OF “ALL THINGS” and HE hasn’t yielded any powers to the enemy!!!  HE holds “ALL THINGS” together, whether I remember that or not!!!

“MY DELIVERER!”

 Psalm 18:1-3                        (ESV)

The LORD Is My Rock and My Fortress

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who addressed the words of this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

    “[1] I love YOU, O LORD, my strength. 

    [2] The LORD is my rock and my fortress and “MY DELIVERER”,

        my GOD, my ROCK, in WHOM I take refuge,

        my SHIELD, and the HORN OF MY SALVATION, my STRONGHOLD. 

    [3] I call upon the LORD, WHO is worthy to be praised,

        and I am saved from my enemies.”

Most of the Psalms were written by King David, a man after GOD’S OWN HEART (1 Samuel 13:14)!  The fact that David wrote “this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul” speaks volumes to this servant.  

The joy of victory can generate elation and excitement so greatly that we tend to overlook WHO is responsible for defeating our foes?  Our every breath comes from “God, the LORD” (Isaiah 42:5) so we must remember WHO is “MY DELIVERER”!  It is not because we are smarter or more worthy, it is because ALMIGHTY GOD has CHOSEN us to the used of HIM to GLORIFY HIS NAME!  

So when we are BLESSED to experience “MY DELIVERER”, we need to give HIM GLORY and credit HIM for the victory!  HE IS “MY DELIVERER”!!!

“THE WORLD?”

 1 John 2:15-17                           (ESV)

Do Not Love “THE WORLD”

“[15] Do not love “THE WORLD” or the things in “THE WORLD”. If anyone loves “THE WORLD”, THE LOVE of the FATHER is not in him. [16] For all that is in “THE WORLD”—the DESIRES OF THE FLESH and the DESIRES OF THE EYES and PRIDE OF LIFE—is NOT from the FATHER but is from “THE WORLD”. [17] And “THE WORLD” IS PASSING AWAY ALONG WITH ITS DESIRES, but whoever does the will of GOD ABIDES FOREVER.”

What am I “focused” on in my life?  What “dominates” my thought patterns and processes?  Pastor John MacArthur has said “The more you focus on yourself, the more distracted you will be from THE PROPER PATH. The more you know Him AND commune with Him, the more the Spirit will MAKE YOU like Him. The more you are like Him, the better you will understand His utter sufficiency for all of life’s difficulties. And that is THE ONLY WAY to know real satisfaction.”   

When we find ourselves “focused” on the things of “THE WORLD” we might be more consumed with the wrong things?  Being “comfortable with” the things of “THE WORLD” should never be our goal, for we are only here for “a shadow, and there is no abiding” (1 Chronicles 29:15) and THEN we WILL BE CALLED HOME!

The Scripture says in the verses above “Do not love “THE WORLD”! My life has certainly not been an example by which others should pattern their lives!  So why would I try to leave a legacy of being “comfortable” and “complacency” from living in “THE WORLD” where I am simply a sojourner???

“ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSES!”

 Isaiah 64:6                      (KJV)

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and “ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSES” are as FILTHY RAGS; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

Humankind tends to migrate to a place where we SEE ourselves as “not as bad” as others!  The only lens that our lives is observed through is not by flawed humanity, but by the HOLY GOD WHO CREATED us!  

“ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSES” are as FILTHY RAGS before the CREATOR of the UNIVERSES!  Although we attempt to place them in a position opposed by fellow sinners, the CREATOR must observe us by what HE KNOWS!  My relationship with JESUS CHRIST is my ONLY HOPE of escaping eternity separated from GOD.  

Never confuse what we see with what BE SEES!  “ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSES” are as FILTHY RAGS before HIM, but when GOD SEES me, all HE can SEE is JESUS!!!

FELL FROM HIS EYES!”

 Acts 9:15-18                                       (ESV)

“[15] But the LORD said to him (Ananias), “Go, for he (Saul) is a chosen instrument of mine to carry MY NAME before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. [16] For I WILL SHOW HIM how much HE MUST SUFFER for the sake of MY name.” [17] So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the LORD JESUS WHO appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight AND BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.” [18] And immediately something like “SCALES FELL FROM HIS EYES”, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;”

The salvation experience of Saul was very memorable, especially for him!  According to Acts 9:1-2, Saul was still “breathing threats and murder” against members of “The Way”, a name for Believers in the current time.  A few verses later Saul was laid up, BLINDED by the LIGHT, which was JESUS according to Acts 9:5!  Saul COULD NOT SEE anything for three days, when Ananias SPOKE to him and JESUS filled him with the HOLY SPIRIT and OPENED his EYES!  

JESUS didn’t HAVE to have Ananias be present for the “SCALES FELL FROM HIS EYES”, but OBEDIENCE was exhibited by Ananias and he laid hands on Saul, THEN the HOLY SPIRIT OPENED the EYES of Saul.  Saul was known by most to be a brutal enforcer of The WAY.  For Ananias to come and “witness” to him had to take DIVINE INTERVENTION!  GOD might NEED us to follow HIS LEADERSHIP and use us (like Ananias) for HIS GLORY?  Just as JESUS could have SPOKEN healing to Saul (like HE SPOKE “this world” into existence), GOD doesn’t require our obedience to accomplish HIS PURPOSE.  But others might SEE GOD being Glorified when the “SCALES FALL FROM HIS EYES”!!!