Skip to main content

Believe in miracles

So you believe in miracles? I do! There is something called prayer that can change things and people. Sometimes we pray half heartedly, not believing that what we prayed for would actually turn out. But God surprises us and shows off (in a good way). I am not sure if and how the early church prayed for Paul when he was persecuting the church. But, I believe someone prayed for something to happen. God answered in a way that they least expected.

Paul greets the churches in Galatia and preambles his introduction with a statement about them following a different gospel. There was going to be some tough correction to be presented. But what caught my attention is the miracle that happened in Paul's life. He went from killing followers of Jesus Christ to promoting Jesus.

Galatians 1:23-24
But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God in me.

Paul had his Damascus road experience and was interestingly commissioned to preach the gospel to the Gentiles by God himself. He was excellent in the matters of the Jewish scriptures and was probably one of the best suited to take on this task of bringing the gospel far and wide and give it a strong scriptural understanding. It is recorded that he spent much time in solitude and possibly reexamining the Holy Scriptures (of the Jewish people) from a perspective that he never saw before.  This is why he could say this in Galatians.

Galatians 1:1
Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)

Galatians 1:11-12
But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

By the time he went to Jerusalem all the Apostles except for Peter and James had left to spread the gospel. He spent a short time there and left for the work given to him. What a life and a revelation?  God prepared him directly.  He did not journey with Jesus like the other apostles, but he received direct heavenly revelation as he reviewed the manuscripts that he well knew from his years of study before.  The following exchange with King Agrippa while with Governor Festus illustrates how Paul was able to discover God's salvation plan from the beginning.

Acts 26:24-28
Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

I am believing for a great move of God on strategically positioned leaders to turn the world upside down for Jesus. Father, help me join you in this work.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Journey of Faith

Sreedhar standing to the left of his grandfather in the center Almost 55 years ago a son was born to a Hindu family.  The parents were 2nd generation Malaysians raised in a rubber estate near a small town called Sungei Petani in Northern Malaya at that time.  This first child was given much love and care by their parents and had the privilege of growing up in 3 different states of Malaysia, most of which was in Petaling Jaya.  He was blessed with his first domestic airplane ride when he was 10 years old, and made his first trip by airplane to Bangkok at the age of 11.  In the mid 1970's the family moved to a large house in a relatively exclusive neighborhood in Petaling Jaya. This was a result of the favor his father, aged about 35 at that time, had in the workplace,. As a result, this son grew up in a mostly multicultural environment with Indian, Chinese and Malay children.  In the process, his perspectives became cosmopolitan and racially neutral.  On...
Post a Comment
Read more

The commands are clear

Crossing of the Red Sea in the history of mankind was a spectacular event. The next spectacular event is the interaction with God on Mount Sinai. Cloud and smoke and ground of sapphire. Exodus 24:10, and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity. The sight and sounds must have been pretty amazing. This is where Moses gets the commandments from God. Exodus 24:12, Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.” There is such clarity in what God was doing here. The record makes clear the full situation as it happened after the people of Israel crossed the Red Sea. Important details are captured and presented for us to read thousands of years later. This is preserved and taught until today just like the days of Moses. Father, we h...
Post a Comment
Read more

Creation is a love story

Our children have been home schooled for many years of their lives. Many of our relatives, friends and neighbors looked at us and probably spoke privately about how crazy we were to do that. Some asked directly about two things. How do they learn socialization skills and are you qualified to teach all the subjects? If you want me to answer these questions, please contact me directly. One of the things I am very grateful for is the blessing of my children learning creation science and the issues with evolution. They would not have learned that in regular school. Psalms 104:24 O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions— This chapter is full of the presentation of creation science. It is simply so amazing. God created the universe, the earth and all living things. Every detail was considered, including the ecosystem. God has thought of everything. Every little detail is there for a reason. The sky, water, mountain...
Post a Comment
Read more

Rags to riches need something else

Can the impossible become possible? I have read many stories of rags to riches and have been naturally impressed by everything that has been said. It required great persistence, hardwork, endurance and something else. That something else is what differentiates between one rags to riches story, and the many other rags to rags stories. Unfortunately, we do not hear or read many of the latter. The successful ones had a "good break" that is a gift from God. Psalms 126:6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him. The people of Israel could only dream of being released from captivity. That is how this chapter started. Yes, the sowing of seed is needed. Hard work cannot be missed. But, along with the hardwork is the weeping. Weeping before God. He alone provided the deliverance when the people cried before God. Father, my heart's desire is to see all saved. Hear my cry O Lord fo...
Post a Comment
Read more

It is premeditated

Have you ever found yourself in a corner? I am sure you know what I mean. Yes, this term comes from war campaigns, and widely used chess games. You pray that you are able to get out of it. David was also in a corner. He was about to go to war with his own people with the Philistines, but God provided a way out. 1 Samuel 29:9, Then Achish answered and said to David, “I know that you are as good in my sight as an angel of God; nevertheless the princes of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’ He is given favor to live among the Philistines, but in this major campaign against Saul and his army, David's loyalty was not tested. God orchestrated a way out for David. Yes, God made a way when there is no way. Father, I will always look to you for your directions in everything that I do.
Post a Comment
Read more

Historians must tell the whole truth

I love the way history is recorded so that we can see what happened, and possibly learn from it. However, many historians do not speak up and get heard. Perhaps they feel that they are in a dying profession where the future prospects are poor or even dead. The Bible records history like no other. This statement provides some background to the historical account of how King Ahab died. 2 Chronicles 18:6, But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of Him?” Jehoshaphat is a Godly king. He becomes great friends with the king of Israel. Perhaps there was some move to reunite the two kingdoms. However, this was not to be. Ahab had 400 prophets tell him that he will win a battle. When a prophet of God was called, he surprisingly gave the same message. However, he also delivered the bad news. He gave the background to the whole thing that happened in heaven. This prophet was like Hanani. He was prepared to suffer the consequences for d...
Post a Comment
Read more