Some words that God speaks to you are just for you and no one else! Like what happened to Paul on the road to Damascus.
Acts 9:1-7
"Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one."
When the Lord has a word for you it doesn't matter where you are or who is around you, the Lord can speak directly to you and change your whole life! Notice that the men who went with Paul to Damascus just stood there speechless, the light didn't shine around them, only Paul. The men heard a voice, but what the Lord was speaking was just for Paul, not them!
And when Paul was recounting his testimony to the people of Jerusalem when he was arrested, they didn't want to hear it! They called for his death! His experience with Jesus was just for him, you can't make others believe your testimony or experiences, because each person has to have their own unique experience with God in order for them to develop a deep faith and trust in the Lord!
Acts 22:6-11, 17-22
“And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.
“Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”
And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him.
Something to consider here, I found a discrepancy between Acts 9:7 and Acts 22:9.
Acts 9:7 says: "And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no
one."
Acts 22:9 says: “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me."
Which testimony is true? Did the men who journeyed with Paul hear a voice but didn't see the light? Or did they see the light but didn't hear the voice of Jesus? Hmmmmm, the Lord knows!
After Jesus was resurrected, He restored Peter by speaking to him three times, the same number of times Peter denied Him.
John 20:15-22
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”"
Jesus gave Peter a word that was just for him! God has something unique and personal for every soul that chooses to obey His word and follow His Son. The road to Heaven may not be easy, (Jesus said it is straight and narrow), BUT, you can make it with the help of His Spirit! You can overcome this world, your flesh, and the devil. You just have to be willing to let go of your life in this world and accept the life that God has for you, it's the only way that your soul can be saved.
The choice is yours!
In Christ,
Tyrone
