Read Acts 9

Highlights:

Conversion of Saul; Dorcas raised from the dead; visions to both Peter and Cornelius; Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit.

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do (Acts 9:6).

From the time of his conversion, Paul surrendered himself to the will of God. Many like to be greatly used of God, such as Paul and others were, but few are willing to pay the price. There are often hardships in a life that is completely consecrated to God. You may end up in a jungle on the other side of the world or a soup kitchen five miles away. Whatever our way of life may be, it can be difficult. The trials can be overwhelming. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented (Heb. 11:37). However, even though it may be hard at times to follow Jesus, we can be assured that our loving Father pours out his blessings daily.

The outstanding characteristic of Paul's life was his steadfast determination to do the will of His Lord. Like Paul we also have the privilege of abandoning our self-achievements to do God's will. Denying self is and always will be a necessity in truly being a follower of Christ. Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (Matt. 16:24).

Are we no longer to have a will of our own? Oh, yes! We need our own will (our determination) everyday if we are to accomplish the work which God gave to us. Each one of us needs to decide to do what God wills. When our will is merged with the will of God, we discover God's presence in our daily walk with Him. This is when He truly begins to do great things in our lives. The passion of our life gets on track with the mission that God has for us. God will begin to move greatly in you and through you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father (John 14:12).

Having a desire to do His will is the secret of having the power to live the victorious Christian life.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14).

Thought for Today:

Surrendering to the will of God is vital to one's spiritual growth and strength.

Cross References:

For Acts 10:14: See Lev. 11:4; 20:25; Deut. 14:3,7. Acts 10:34: See Deut. 10:17. Acts 10:38: See Is. 61:1-3.

Word Studies:

10:1 centurion, a captain of an Italian troop of 100 men; 10:3 ninth hour, 3 p.m., the usual hour of evening worship among the Jews.

Prayer Suggestion: Pray with a heart of righteousness, keeping the truth of God, and know He will hear your prayers (Is. 26:2).

Memory Verse for the Week: Titus 2:12