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In more than three decades of my Christian life, I have been blest by 2 types of Daily devos'
(matter not exceeding 500 words) in universal Christian literature. Not only those Devos'
which have a different theme everyday but also the ones which revolve around a certain
theme over a period of time, say a fortnight, have richly edified me. In fact, both
styles have their own inherent advantages. If the former style caters to the varying
spiritual needs of a christian from day-to-day, the latter aims 'to ground'
a child of God in a certain subject in order he derives the full benefits of the
deep insightful study of a certain topic, spread over a fixed span of time.
In my Daily devo page, I have consciously tried to go in for 'a blend of both the
styles' whereby within a constant theme, I would be aiming to focus on different
facets of it which admittedly is a closer imitation of the 'Constant theme' style
than the 'Varying topics' one.
Having dwelt on the topics
- “The Christian journey”
- “ The Conquest of Canaan” and the
- “Lent season”.
in the previous months, now in the months of April and May, considering that
post resurrection of Christ (one of our concluding themes’ you would remember
in the meditations of March, was Resurrection), birth of the Church was a
landmark event in Biblical history, I want to cast the spotlight on the Book of
Acts (which records the birth and growth of the Church). This would ensure to a large
extent continuity of thought albeit under the ambit of new subject.
Once again, let me wish you a happy and an edifying read…
Suresh Manoharan
May 7th
Enter Paul…
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters
to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women,
he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
Acts 9:1-4
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Having completed the week-long meditation on the conversion of Cornelius, today we come to yet another important subject
nay person. Can any study of the Book of Acts be ever complete, without the spotlight settling upon one of its
luminaries-Apostle Paul- of the New Testament at one time or the other? While on the subject of light, by the way,
was not the dazzling light on the way to Damascus one amongst many things that the good Lord used in shaping – up this
rabid Jew into a “dynamite” of his times to shake-up the World. So greatly was this erstwhile persecutor of the
Church used by the good Lord, that the Biblical Scholars –quite justifiably- have said that if first
12 Chapters of the Book of Acts can be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit through Apostle Peter, then from Chapter 13
onwards, this glorious section of the Bible (next 16 Chapters) can be called as the Acts of the Holy Spirit through Apostle Paul.
In the coming days, we shall focus upon Apostle Paul right from his conversion onwards, for each phase of his life holds a
powerful lesson. Firstly his dramatic conversion process, wherein the Saviour asked him pointedly “Saul, Saul, why do
you persecute me”. Why did the good Lord frame this question, the way He did. He could have well asked “Saul,
Saul why are you persecuting Christians or the Church”. With praise ready on our lips, let us dwell on the answer to
this question tomorrow.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we know Thou art so orderly, that nothing is done by Thee without a purpose, yes even asking some pointed questions.
We simply praise Thee for Thy incomparable, unique personality . AMEN.
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