Acts 9:1-9 says, “​​1  Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Master, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Adonai?” And He said, “I am Yeshua whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” 7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” Notice that Paul had to work in concert with Yeshua for him to receive what was waiting for him.  Isn’t it interesting that Yeshua Himself met Paul on the road to Damascus, but sent him somewhere else to complete the conversion?  Why didn’t He just witness to Paul right there and lead him into accepting that He was the redeemer?  Why did Paul have to do something beyond just meeting Him and accepting Him by faith? When we are obedient, what we do shows forth the patterns, principles and facets of the Biblical truths!! As the brother of Yeshua, James (Ya’akov/Jacob) so aptly puts it, “Faith without works is dead.”

Yesterday in Acts 9 we left off with verse 19a which says, “19a. and he took food and was strengthened.” Remember that a synonym for power is strength and all of its derivatives.

Let’s continue with Acts 19b-22, which says, “​19b Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Yeshua in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of Elohim.” 21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he [Paul] who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul kept increasing in strength [Power] and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Yeshua is the Messiah.”

Paul passes unto Timothy his experiences.  In 1 Timothy 1:12-14 he says, “12 I thank Messiah Yeshua our Master, who has strengthened me [Given me Power], because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer [A denier that Yeshua was the Messiah] and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Master was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Messiah Yeshua.

2 Timothy 4:17-18 says, “17 But Adonai stood with me and strengthened me [Gave me Power], so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. 18 The Master will rescue me from every evil deed, and will  bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” He rescued him from evil to His kingdom!!!

Yeshua will always give us the strength and power we need to fulfill the mandate we have each day; whether it’s a “go right now” or “wait not yet” moment. His desire is for us to receive the Spirit of Power so that we can fully accomplish Yah’s will for our lives.

Have a blessed and shalom filled day!!

Tammy

Courtesy of

River of Life Tabernacle
Tammy McLendon
Great peace have they who love Your law. Psalm 119:165a