Pastor's Ponderings: Monday Bible Study on Acts of the Apostles 9:1-9 (December 1, 2025)

December 1, 2025:  Monday Bible Study on Acts 9:1-9

I would say good morning to you; however, this Bible Study is coming to you on Sunday evening due to my schedule tomorrow which will not give me time to do the Bible Study in the morning. Today at worship we had wonderful Advent Season hymns, and an opportunity for laying on of hands for healing for anyone who wanted to take part.

"O Come, O Come, Emanuel” In this season of the church year, we can all take the time to pray for Christ to be in our hearts all the time. Today, Vince, a former foster child of Don and Sharyn came to ask for help setting up a go fund me page to help him with rent, groceries, and other expenses. Two weeks ago, he was in a bad car accident with friend who was driving. His friend continues in intensive care, and Vince has had three surgeries, and may require more treatment for his injuries. He is badly banged up with a broken cheek bone, broken ribs, and more, all with an airbag having deployed on the passenger side of the car. It probably saved his life.

The address for the GoFundMe page has been sent to all our members at American, and I suspect if you call on Wednesday if you are not a member, Debbie will give it to you after about noon that day.  Please also remember that we are receiving offerings to purchase a herd of six goats and if we receive more money than they cost, we will purchase a clutch of baby chicks to go with them. Our goal is $300.00.

Next Sunday is Gospel Music Sunday, and we will have a chili luncheon at about 11:15AM in our parish hall. Bring a dish to share.

In our study tonight we begin chapter 9 from the Acts of the Apostles. If you have any question about why we celebrate the birth of Jesus, this passage from the Acts should make it clear. Even the hearts of those who are evil in their intent, and in their very lives, can be, and are, transformed to good, mercy, and forgiveness in their new life with the Savior's presence surrounding them. Saul, and I would dare say, the crowd with whom he traveled, was bent on finding the people who believed in the risen Christ as the Messiah, arresting them, and bringing them back to trial before the religious authorities in Jerusalem.  I suspect that he needed letters of introduction, and cash, to carry off this horrible deed. He was a man to be feared, from his reputation and hatred. During Saul's journey Jesus struck him down with lightening and His Word. Fellow travelers heard the voice, but saw no one, and Saul was guided by Christ to continue his way to receive new direction at some time in the next couple of days. And in all of what happened Saul had been struck blind, which made him even more dependent on his fellow travelers. Later when we hear of Paul's (Saul's before his new name) health issues in his letters, it may well have been continuing issues with his vision and health from his exposure to the lightening. We certainly are aware of the long-term effects of a person being struck by lightning. Caught up in his hatred for the new Christian communities and their believers, Christ knew that a simple conversation would not bring about Saul's transformation of heart and mind. His conversion had to be much harsher and revealing for his change of heart to take place. (Metanoia in the Greek) One of the things which really surprises me is the long reach of the religious authorities with regards to distances they could travel and still be in positions of power! In Saul's time this journey would have been about 140 miles, perhaps 6-8 days on foot. In Damascus, there was a usual heavy time of storms. The city was in a deep valley and was filled with hot damp air, while the surrounding mountains carried much colder air, so when the two air masses collided, there were powerful thunderstorms as pilgrims approached this city. As Saul came into the Damascus valley, he was no longer the man bent on vengeance and hatred. Instead, in his blind state he had no choice but to enter the city in humility, being led by the members of the Sanhedrin who had gone with him on this journey. He walked alone because it was offensive for a Pharisee to depend on the Sanhedrin in any way. How was Saul (probably now Paul) to know where to go, or what to do, this was all new territory for this once powerfully angry man. Our next passage tomorrow on Tuesday will help us understand how that all came to be.

Advent is a time of preparation and waiting for the Prince of Peace to enter our world one more time as we celebrate His birth in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. May joy and love be with you in the days ahead. Pastor Kim