Was Blind But Now I See...

Filled With The Holy Ghost  

Acts 9:17B KJV

Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost

If because of your mom and dad or your grand-parents you grew up in Church, we (I am including me because that is how I grew up) heard great preaching that gave us the religious foundation we needed but did not completely change our ways because we were having a good time. It wasn't until we had our meeting with The Holy Spirit that our lives changed and did it ever. 

The focus of this message is on a guy named Saul, who make no mistake about it did not like or have anything to do with saved folks called Christians. Acts 9:1&2 KJV...And Saul, yet breathing out threatening's and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest. 2...And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3... And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus.

Paul thought he was doing the right thing, seeking men and women who believed but he in reality brought them bound to Jerusalem. He was not only persecuting people; he was opposing Christ.

BUT Verse 3...And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:4...And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?5...And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6...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.

His friends who were with Saul heard a voice but saw no one, when Saul came to himself after this conversation with The Lord didn't see anyone either but his friends took him by his hands to Damascus.

Jesus in a vision to a man named Ananias is told what this Saul is to do. Ananias has his doubts about Saul telling Jesus how evil he is. Verse 15...But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel...16...For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 

17... And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.18...And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.19...And when he had received meat, he was strengthened.

How many remember when you were out there, having the time of your life (or so you thought) and heard the voice of the Lord calling you...wondering who it was? You may have told your parents about it. If you did, they realized it was The Holy Spirit calling you...preparing you to set you aside for His Purpose.

Maybe you were like Samuel in 1st Samuel 3:5 who while sound asleep heard some calling him and went to Eli and said "Here I am; for thou callest me and Eli told him to go back to sleep. It happened several times before Eli told Samuel in verse 9...Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth.

In our world today. it won't take a brick to fall on your head to realize we are in some dangerous times. Jesus is calling. The Saul in our scripture had his name changed to Paul who became one of the most dynamic disciples writing most of the New Testament and used by The Lord inspite of who he initially was.

When you hear the voice calling you (and you will) give Him your "YES LORD"...your life will never be the same and that is a good thing.

Thank You Father for Jesus, Thank You For This Word and Thank You For Your Holy Spirit.