The Word for Today with Ray: May 2023

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Open Eyes From Darkness to Light - Acts 26:18

The beloved physician Luke wrote as Paul was making his defense before King Agrippa, he told him, “I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecute you me? it is hard for you to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who are you, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. But rise, and stand upon your feet: for I have appeared unto you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things which you have seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto you. Delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send you, ...”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse eighteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul told King Agrippa that Jesus said he would, “open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God” where we read:

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

The verse begins, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, ...” Luke began with the words, “to open their eyes” which means “to open up their spiritual eyes”, “and to turn them” or “and to cause the Gentiles to worship and be in obedience to the true God” “from darkness to light” which means “apart from ignorance respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell toward the truth and its knowledge together with the spiritual purity associated with it”, “and from the power of Satan” or “and apart and separate from the ability, strength and authority belonging to the inveterate adversary of God and the prince of evil spirits who incites apostasy from God and sin” “unto God” which means “toward the Heavenly Father God”. Luke shared how Jesus told “Paul” his ministry among the “Gentiles” would be so they would have their “spiritual eyes” opened and their lives turned away from “ungodliness and immorality” toward the illumination of God and apart from “Satan's” “power” and authority.

The verse goes on to say, “... that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Luke continued with the words, “that they may receive forgiveness” which means “so the Gentile people might accept, lay hold of, claim and procure liberty, release from bondage and pardon” “of sins” which “pertains to errors, wrongs, mistakes and missing the mark”, “and inheritance among them” which means “and a portion of the ministry common to the apostles within the Gentile people” “which are sanctified by faith” or “who are separated from profane things and dedicated to God through the means of trust and conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things and the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ” “that is in me” which means “which exists within me, Jesus”. Luke shares how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” that the purpose of his sharing with the “Gentiles” was so they might lay hold of liberty and release from their errors and wrongs and gain a portion of the ministry that purifies and cleanses those who believe and trust in Jesus Himself.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn the purpose of “Paul's” commission. He was to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the “Gentiles”, and when they believed and trusted in Jesus, God not only would cleanse them from their sins, but also give them a portion of the purification that was within Jesus Himself. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. When they submit to Him, He will forgive theirs sins, grant them everlasting life and commission them to function within His Kingdom. Those who are wise observe carefully the testimony of “Paul” and realize, his witness of the gospel is available to everyone who comes to Jesus and receive His forgiveness of sins and everlasting life.

Next time Luke shares how Paul tells King Agrippa, “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Paul Sent to the Gentiles - Acts 26:17

Luke the beloved physician wrote as Paul was making his defense before King Agrippa, he told him, “I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecute you me? it is hard for you to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who are you, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. But rise, and stand upon your feet: for I have appeared unto you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things which you have seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto you”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse seventeen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul told King Agrippa that Jesus told him He would be, “delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send you” where we read:

Delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send you,

The verse begins, “Delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, ...” Luke began with the words, “delivering you” which means “plucking out, drawing and rescuing you, Paul” “from the people” or “apart and separate from the Jewish people both male and female”, “and from the Gentiles” which means “and apart and separate from the heathen, tribes, people groups or multitudes of pagan individuals of the same nature or genus”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” that Jesus told him he would “rescue” him from the Jewish and Gentile people to do the following.

The verse continues, “... unto whom now I send you, ...” Luke added the words, “unto whom” which means “to whom, the Gentiles” “now I send you” or “at this time I, Jesus, dispatch and assign you, Paul”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” that Jesus said he would dispatch him to the “Gentile” people in the world.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” continued his testimony to “king Agrippa” by telling him that Jesus assigned him to reach people with His gospel, and in particular he was to share the message of salvation through Jesus Christ to the “pagan and foreign” “Gentile” people. “King Agrippa” was a “Gentile”, and many of the people listening to “Paul” were also “Gentiles”, so “Paul” was fulfilling his commission. God loves all the people in the world, and he desires to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. Anyone who yields to Jesus as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Those who are wise carefully examine “Paul's” witness to “king Agrippa” and surrender themselves to Jesus to be saved for all eternity.

Next time Luke shares how Paul tells King Agrippa the voice said he would, “open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Paul Made a Minister - Acts 26:16

But rise, and stand upon your feet: for I have appeared unto you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things which you have seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto you;

The verse begins, “But rise, and stand upon your feet: for I have appeared unto you for this purpose, ...” Luke began with the words, “but rise” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover get up and arise”, “and stand upon your feet” or “and be put in place, set and erect upon your physical feet”: “for I have appeared unto you” which means “because, since and on account that I, Jesus, have allowed myself to be seen by you Paul-Saul” “for this purpose” or “toward the following intention and reason”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” that “Jesus” told him that he showed himself to him for the following reason.

The verse goes on to say, “... to make you a minister and a witness both of these things which you have seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto you;” Luke continued with the words, “to make you a minister” which means “to determine, appoint and choose that you, Paul, be a servant, subordinate and attendant” “and a witness” or “and one who bares record and testifies” “both of these things” which means “concerning the following acts and deeds” “which you have seen” or “that you, Paul, have observed, noticed and discerned”, “and of those things” which means “and pertaining to the acts and deeds” “in the which I will appear unto you” or “that I, Jesus, will allow you, Paul, to see and observe”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” that “Jesus” told him he would be his “servant and attendant” who would bare witness about what he experienced and that which would be shown to him in the future.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” that Jesus not only spoke to him, but He commissioned him as his “servant” and “witness” to the world. “Paul” was to tell everyone who would listen about his experience on the road to Damascus, and he would have more things revealed to him by Jesus to share as well. “Paul” was fulfilling his service to “Jesus” by telling “king Agrippa” about Him, and because God desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, He wants everyone to know about His gospel of salvation through His Son Jesus. “Paul” was changed and commissioned by Jesus into His service, and He is willing to do the same for every person who surrenders themselves to Him.

Next time Luke shares how Paul tells King Agrippa the voice said, “delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Jesus Whom You Persecute - Acts 26:15

And I said, Who are you, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom you persecute.

The verse begins, “And I said, Who are you, Lord?” Luke began with the words, “and I said” which means “and I, Paul, uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked”, “who are you” or “what person do you exist as” “Lord” which means “One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has the power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah”? Luke shared how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” how he asked who the voice was that was speaking to him.

The verse continues, “And he said, I am Jesus whom you persecute.” Luke added the words, “and he said” which means “and he, the voice that was speaking, uttered, declared, proclaimed and answered”, “I am Jesus” or “I exist as Jesus whose name means Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “whom you persecute” which means “who is the person that you, Paul – Saul, harass, trouble and mistreat”. Luke shared how the voice told “Paul” that He was “Jesus” whom “Paul” was harassing and mistreating.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn who the “voice” was that was speaking to “Paul-Saul” from the brilliant light. “Paul” experienced this in Acts chapter 9, and as he recounted his story to “king Agrippa”, “Paul” was very close to sharing how Jesus Christ changed his life. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus. Those who believe and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. God changes lives, and those who are wise will yield to Him and allow Him to alter them in any way He deems necessary.

Next time Luke shares how Paul tells King Agrippa the voice said, “I have appeared unto you for this purpose, to make you a minister”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…