Facing The Future
The future is a place full of opportunity and uncertainty. By embracing this reality, we can truly experience the life God desires us to have. We find this in the story of Saul in Acts 9.
While traveling to Damascus to imprison Christians, Saul has a life-changing encounter with Jesus. After being convicted and blinded for his actions, Saul is told by Jesus to wait in the city for a man named Ananias. Through Saul’s experience of embracing his future, we will learn how to deal with independence, provision, and conflict.
Trust God To Direct Your Future
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
Ananias prays for Saul and he is healed from his blindness, receives the holy spirit, and regains the strength he lost over the past three days. After being placed in a position where he’s dependent on God, Saul can now receive the purpose and provision he needs. Saul’s story shows us that our lives begin with God after we surrender to Him.
Struggling With Wisdom In Christ
When the Lord led me to create Wisdom In Christ, I started it off as a business. I filed the paperwork, developed a five-year plan, and created educational programs that would turn a profit. After three months of tirelessly building the company, the Lord told me to stop every project. Although I was disappointed, I followed the Lord’s advice and took a three-month break.
God showed me during that time that he never intended Wisdom In Christ to become a traditional business. Instead, Wisdom In Christ is a global ministry dedicated to showing people how to grow their relationship with Jesus. God restored my vision and allowed me to rebuild Wisdom In Christ to produce programs in multiple languages and formats.
God will reveal your purpose if you’re willing to follow his guidance. Let go of your expectations and trust him to lead you in every situation.
Allow God To Empower Your Future
At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
Saul goes out immediately to share the Gospel of Christ and baffles the Jews of Damascus. They’re surprised to find a man that once persecuted Christians now preaching their message of salvation. Despite their opinions, Saul continued to grow in the power of God and compelled many people to believe in Jesus.
Empowered For Freedom
Moses always had a passion for his people though he grew up in the palace of Egypt. When he saw an Egyptian beating one of the Hebrews, he slayed him and spent the next 40 years running for his life in exile. Despite his failed attempt to save the Israelites, God appeared to Moses through a burning bush to send him back to Egypt.
Although Moses hesitated, God empowered him to stand against Pharoah and free the Israelites from slavery. God eventually freed Israel through Moses and led them to become the nation we still discuss today
God will give you everything you need to achieve your purpose. Embrace your future and watch the incredible things he can do through you.
Empowered For Freedom
After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept a close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
Saul has been so effective in drawing people to Christ that the Jews want to end his life. After being watched day and night, Saul received help from his followers in Damascus and safely escaped the city. Although Saul recently met his followers, they were willing to risk their lives to save him.
Brotherly Love
David became a commander in Saul’s army after slaying the giant Goliath in the war. As David’s popularity rose in Israel, Saul became jealous of his servant and believed he would eventually replace him as king. Saul made several attempts to end David’s life but David found comfort in his dear friend Johnathan.
Although Jonathan was Saul’s son, he loved David like a brother and knew he would become the king. In their last meeting, Johnathan helped David escape his father and promised that there would always be peace between their descendants. Johnathan eventually lost his life at war but David remembered the promise of his friend and blessed his son abundantly after he became the king.
You are never alone when you’re fulfilling God’s purpose for your life. Whenever you need help, he will even send the people you empowered to offer their support.
Your Future Is Bright With God
Although the future is full of opportunity and uncertainty, God is with us every step of the way. Before revealing our purpose, God will call us to depend on Him. When pursuing our purpose, God will empower us to succeed in everything we’re doing. Lastly, God will use the same people we’ve impacted to help us overcome our struggles. God can give us an incredible future and all we need to do is embrace the challenges that come.
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