Today’s devotional looks at the power of Christ’s resurrection to utterly transform a life.
This devotional is adapted from MY Journal, Leading The Way’s monthly devotional magazine. Sign up now for a free six-month subscription to MY Journal—Dr. Youssef’s gift to you.
If you would like more insight into today’s devotional topic, listen to Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Stopping the Resurrection?: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW
[00:00:00] You are listening to MY Devotional, the Daily Devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading The Way.
[00:00:30] So, opposition to the resurrection power of Jesus continued. Religious authorities, political leaders and others tried to silence Jesus followers and put a stop to the spread of the gospel.
[00:00:42] One such enemy of Christ was a young Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus. He rose to prominence and found a measure of fame because of his hate for Christian believers who kept on proclaiming the resurrection.
[00:00:55] He intimidated the believers in prison many and even oversaw the murder of a deacon in the church at Jerusalem named Stephen.
[00:01:03] Saul was determined to stamp out Christianity, not just in Jerusalem but across the whole region. With permission from the high priest, he pursued believers all the way to the city of Damascus, in Syria, a long way away.
[00:01:19] However, all was not as it seemed. Inside Saul of Tarsus a war was raging. In fact his outward resistance to the resurrection can only be explained by his inward struggle. Jesus knew this.
[00:01:34] And so while Saul was traveling to Damascus, the Lord blinded the young Pharisee and spoke to him, Acts 26-14 records, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goats.
[00:01:52] Saul was hurting himself with his hatred of the resurrection, so Jesus in his mercy stopped Saul in his tracks so that he could change course for good.
[00:02:01] You see prior to that divinely appointed day, Saul had wanted his religion to seal his heart from the resurrected Jesus. He had tried to fortify his heart with the false religion and religious activities.
[00:02:14] He attempted to muffle the voice of the resurrected Jesus with his good deeds, but finally when faced with the truth, truth he could no longer deny. He had to submit, he had to surrender.
[00:02:27] When Saul met the risen Christ, he couldn't resist asking, who are you Lord? You can ask the same question and the Lord will answer you.
[00:02:37] You will never find real peace of mind, you will never experience true freedom from sin and guilt and shame and addiction or be assured of eternity in heaven until you submit to the risen Lord.
[00:02:50] Don't put it off. Right now could be your Damascus road moment.
[00:02:57] Let's pray together. Jesus, we want you to be the king of our lives. We don't want to fight against your perfect will for us. Empower us by your spirit to live as citizens of your heavenly kingdom today for your glory and for the blessing of those in our midst.
[00:03:16] We pray this in the name of Jesus, amen.
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