​There is a promise that GOD has personally spoken to each one of us. A promise that will bring many of us a level of notoriety. Notice what the LORD said to Abraham. 
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​Notice, it is the LORD that will make your name and your mission stand out among many. But before you can reach such heights. There is always a waiting period. Why? Because there is always a process and a long pruning season you must undergo to ensure your success. So, let’s talk about this waiting period in more detail and see how we can benefit from it. 
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​Let’s go back to Acts chapter 9. As we recall, Saul, who was a Pharisee, was on his way to the city of Damascus to capture any Christians he could bring back to Jerusalem to jail them for their faith. But as we discussed in my last blog, Why Are You Persecuting Me. His plans were derailed by the LORD, which led to Saul’s encounter with Christ and his conversion to Christianity. As a result of this encounter, it completely changed the trajectory of Saul’s career and lifestyle. 
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​Now, we have to be mindful that Saul had already made a name for himself by the time he experienced his encounter with Christ. It was said about him at Acts chapter 9, verse 13 by the prophet Ananias. 
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Saul was well known. He had a certain reputation among the people that made many afraid of him. But this would soon change. For as we know. GOD always works all things out for the good of HIS people and individuals involved. (Compare to Romas 8:28). This leads us to Saul’s encounter with Christ. After Saul met Jesus on the road of Damascus and was suddenly blinded by Jesus’ bright appearance. Saul asked Jesus. 
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Jesus gave Saul the following instructions.
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Saul had to go to a certain city and now wait there until Jesus provided him with his next set of instructions. During those 3 days that Saul sat in the house of Judas on Straight Street, we can say he underwent a complete metamorphosis. Due to the loss of his sight that was caused by Jesus' bright figure, Saul was not able to do anything. And of course, the pure shock of the whole experience left him in complete awe and dumbfounded that he was unable to eat or drink for those 3 days (Acts 9:8-9). This experience certainly left him speechless and force him to reevaluate himself and his mission – his life course. As we have learned through our reading of Acts chapter 9, that 3-day process was the key to Saul changing into a new man. (Compare to 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Now, to us, those 3 days do not seem very long. But when you had gone through what Saul experienced, it may seem like a lifetime of torture. It’s like going on a 24-hour fast. For most of us, by the time we reach that first hour, we are already dreading the process. We become irritable and lethargic, and our body begins to show the classic signs that we have gone too long without food.
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This was no different for Saul. He literally experienced a mental breakdown from his experience. Therefore, this waiting period was going to either break him or forever change him. The LORD said it to the prophet Jeremiah this way.
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​This process usually, for most of us takes years. But GOD was going to take this process for Saul and accelerate the time. (Compare to Joel 2:25). He was going to root out, tear down, destroy, throw down, build as well as plant into Saul everything he needed to change his course of actions and become the vessel (instrument) GOD needed to bear HIS name to the Gentile nation, all the kings of the earth, and to the nation of Israel. Saul’s reputation was about to be flipped. His name was about to not only be made great for the LORD. But he was going to receive a new name and a new identity for Christ. As a result, of this metamorphosis, he was about to suffer many things for the LORD due to this greater name he was about to be established in and carry. 

​This is the same lucrative question Jesus Christ is asking many today, who call themselves Christians but they are persecuting their brother and sister in the faith by their words and deeds. It is important today, because of the time and season we are in. That we examine this text closely in Acts to get a clear understanding of what is occurring here. For GOD never acts one way or another without providing a fair warning to HIS people first. (Compare to Amos 3:7). 
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​Through such words as ‘strange fire’, and through their interpretation of dreams and visions. There are some Christians in the Body of Christ that are persecuting their brothers and sisters simply because
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There are many, far too many Sauls in the Body of Christ today that will have to answer for their ignorance, arrogance, and insensitivity to the strong faith of others. But before getting in too deep with this talking point today, let’s go back to Acts chapter 9, and start reading at verse 3.
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We see as Saul traveled to Damascus with his caravan on his quest to catch Christians. When he was almost there, his journey was interpreted in the most unusual way. First, an extremely bright light stood in front of him, blocking his path to Damascus. Verse 3 says,
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There are two things we can pick up from this verse. When we are about to do something stupid that will, in the long run, mess our lives up. GOD will always suddenly come down and stand between us and the bad decision we are about to make. Now, today, that can be our parents, who suddenly get a whim that we are about to do something stupid. Or a loving friend and even a complete stranger. (Keep in the mind, I’m primarily talking about Christians here). Through these instruments of GOD, HE will stand between you and whatever evil you are about to commit. The second thing we want to notice here is GOD will ALWAYS come to the rescue of HIS people. Now, listen to me when I say this. Because many Christians are not going to like and even take offense to what I’m about to say. 
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​GOD will not stand by and watch HIS true servants be snuffed out. And this is exactly what Saul was attempting to do. He wanted to take out every Christian he encounter.

This is no different from today. There are Christians, who want to snuff out other Christians utilizing their social media platforms for the sake of gaining more fans, likes, subscribers, and followers. Like Cain, they want to murder their brothers and sisters in the faith by means of their words, deeds, and an insulting statement like ‘strange fire.’
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But Christians who really belong to the LORD do not have to fret about any kind of persecution that comes at the hands of these Sauls in the Body of Christ. Because, like the situation at Acts 9:3-4, Christ will suddenly show up like a bright light to impede the path of these self-righteous Christians who think they have all the answers, intelligent, and Christ-like wisdom but they are really persecuting GOD’s righteous remanent. 

This is such a timely question Jesus asked Saul. ‘Why are you persecuting me?’ Jesus is basically asking Saul. What gives you the right to do such a thing? Under what authority do you have to do such a thing? The Lord is asking many in the Body of Christ this same question. Under whose authority have you been given authority to witness under my name to declare such vicious dreams, and visions, and make such public declaration as ‘strange fire’ about others that are in the faith?  Who authorized you? Who sent you under my name?

Confused by Jesus’ presence and inquiry, Saul responds, ‘who are you, LORD?’ Even though Saul did not know who Christ was at this point and time in his life. He still was able to sense and acknowledge the authority Jesus carried. Hence, why he greeted Jesus with the salutation – Lord.
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In response to Saul’s question. Jesus says to him. “I am Kyrios” (or Lord), the one who has the power and authority to decide your fate if you continue this path. For He is the sovereign Lord, the Alpha, and Omega, the Prince above all princes, the chief over all mankind. Our Messiah. Then Jesus makes this interesting statement to Saul. 
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What in the world is Jesus saying here to Saul? ‘Goads’ here is the same thing as pricks. In Greek, the word kentron (G2758), refers to a string, like that of bees, scorpions, or locusts. These animals’ strings are so potent that they can even cause death. Therefore, their string is similar to a deadly weapon. The action Saul was about to take was on this same level. He was about to bring a death string or sentence to GOD’s people. So, are the lips of many Christians today. (See Proverbs 18). Their words or actions against other Christians are so potent that with their mouth alone, they are about to bring a death sentence to the Body of Christ. (Compare to Proverbs 18:21). Like Saul, many today do not even acknowledge their own fault and sin. They are so blinded by their own self-righteous way of thinking. And yet they all are about to be blinded at once by a sudden bright light that will get in their path – their way to destruction.


In the case of Saul, his life was spared. But for the remainder of his days, he had to live with the consequences of his bad decisions – actions and words he personally spoke against his brothers and sisters in the faith. I can only assume the nightmares that kept Paul up late at night. Knowing the blood he had on his hands despite he was forgiven by Christ.
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What about us today? On the day that Christ comes to interrupt our ongoing insult of righteous men and women of GOD, will we be like Paul and relent, repent, and make our wrongs right? Or will we be so caught up in our own pride and self-righteous belief system, and continue our unrighteous path against our brothers and sisters in the faith? Causing us to inherit a death sentence for our penalty by Christ’s righteous sword. For GOD’s remnants are precious in His eyes (Zechariah 2:8). Therefore, He will not ever allow you to take them out by your words or deeds. 

The transformation of one’s life is the greatest miracle that can ever occur. When a person experiences true conversion and forms a real, heartfelt, and sincere relationship with Christ. There is no other greater miracle than this – a pure transformation of the heart and mind.
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Case in point. Let’s take the life of Apostle Paul. As we know, Paul, once went by the name Saul, prior to his religious conversion. Under that name, he did many evil things. Ananias, a disciple of Christ, put it this way. “… I have heard from many about this man, how much harm (evil) he has done to your saints” (Acts 9:13).

Paul even described his former self this way. “I persecuted the church of GOD beyond measure and tried to destroy it. … Saints I shut up in prison by the authority of the chief priests, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them” (Galatians 1:13; Acts 26:9-10).
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Paul, when he was known as Saul, was one the main leaders who were responsible for one of the greatest persecution the church has experienced. He led the persecution against the church by invading their sanctuaries, entering Christians’ private homes, throwing Christians into prison, and being a part of the death of countless Christians. (Compare to Acts 8:1, 3; 9:1-2; 22:4; 26:10). Paul, as Saul, was a great man to be feared, and rightfully so. 

​We are not going to go into much detail in this section about Paul’s life. But I thought it would be beneficial to cover a few pivotal points from his life.

Saul was a part of the Pharisee class. They were the largest and most influential religious group in the New Testament. They were antagonists (opponents) against Jesus and his disciples. They were known for their separatist behavior. [They separated themselves from all other groups (both social and religious). Especially from the common people because they saw them as religiously unclean.]

So, Saul was part of this group of men. As a result, he adopted many prejudiced views this class of men had. It was the Pharisees’ unhealthy belief systems that Saul held onto, that drove him to become one of the church’s greatest and formative persecutors.
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Now, this was who Paul was prior to his conversion to Christianity. As Saul, he was a man full of prejudices, hatred, anger, ignorance, and undisciplined principles because, at that time, he was holding onto an erroneous belief system. But, Paul, whom the church has come to know and love today, is a very different person from the man Saul.
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​Now, many in the church love to talk about Paul’s conversion. But we don’t want to overlook it for what it is. It’s one of the greatest miracles that any Christain can experience in their life. In fact, I believe that Paul’s encounter with Christ that led to his conversion IS THE GREATEST sign, wonder, and miracle that any Christian can experience. 
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Let’s look at Paul’s conversion together. We see in the account stated at Acts chapter 9 that Paul was on his way to Damascus to find any and every Christian he could find to have them seized and locked up in prison. For it was his goal to stamp out any Christians who were following “The Way.” But on his way there, Paul had an encounter that forever changed him.
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Now, I am not going to go into details about Paul’s conversion. You can read it for yourself at Acts chapter 9, verses 1 through 9. What I want to focus on are two things.
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​​As we see in verses 4 through 6 of Acts chapter 9, there is this back and forth dialogue going on between Saul and Jesus. As this is going on, the men that were traveling with Saul were observing this “strange” behavior by him. For these men did not see Jesus nor could hear the things that Jesus was saying to Saul. So, you can only imagine what these men may have thought. Like, what in the world is going on here? Is Saul losing his mind? Why did all of this occur and what triggered Saul to behave this way? One minute, they are traveling on the road to Damascus. And then, out of nowhere, Saul flips on them. For no apparent reason, he was acting strange and crazy from their point of view.
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You see, what these men were observing concerning Saul was weird. Some elite and insensitive leaders today would call Saul’s behavior “strange fire.” (I won’t go there today). To the men who were with Saul, his behavior appeared strange to them because they (1) did not understand what was happening to Saul. (2) And because they could not see nor hear who or what Saul was seeing and talking to. Therefore, they all probably at this point, labeled Paul as crazy. He has lost it – having a psychotic episode or some kind of demonic attack.

Kind of like what some Christians do towards their brothers and sisters in the faith when they cannot relate to or if they have not experienced the same or similar encounter with Christ as some have in the faith. Often time, some Christians try to rebuff an individual’s experience or encounter with Christ as some form of witchcraft, some “strange” event, a senseless emotional outburst, or some demonic experience. Some believers would prefer giving more credit to the devil and his power to influence GOD’s people. Then believe in the indefinite power and abilities of an all-knowing, all-powerful, supreme GOD, who can do all things and therefore anything – even today. Like these men who were traveling with Saul, many in the church today, cannot and will not believe nor accept that people are having unique encounters with Christ that are forever changing their lives. 
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​This leads us to Paul's introduction to Ananias.
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Ananias was a well-known and respected disciple of Christ. After Paul’s conversion, GOD approached Ananias and gave him these specific instructions.
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​Now, when Ananias first heard this, you can only imagine the initial confusion he must have felt. He probably even asked himself – am I hearing right? He might have even initially rebuked the voice of the LORD, knowing the kind of man Saul was. Ananias probably thought this voice cannot be the LORD. It has to be something of a demonic nature, setting me up for a trap.

But the vision the LORD gave Ananias concerning Paul’s conversion made it clear to him that this was indeed the LORD. Therefore, despite his reservation and the fear he might have felt, Ananias went to
Saul and laid his hands on him so that he may recover his sight and be filled with Holy Spirit.

Ananias' responses to Paul clearly show us that he accepted Paul’s conversion as legitimate. He did not question, nor doubt what the LORD had done for Saul in converting him into a new man. (Compare to 2 Corinthians 5:17). In fact, when Ananias greeted Paul for the first time, he said to him, “… Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17-18).

First, Ananias acknowledged and accepted Paul’s conversion, and then greeted Saul as his brother. Once Ananias heard from the LORD concerning Saul. He did not need any man of the faith to vet whether Paul’s conversion was legit. He did not need man’s approval concerning Paul. A word from the LORD was all he need to receive Paul as his brother.
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Secondly, Ananias confirmed Paul’s conversion by restating the encounter Saul had with Christ along the road. Although Ananias was not there, the LORD revealed to Ananias how Paul’s conversion happened. So, when Ananias met Saul, he said to him. 
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​Ananias did not dismiss nor reject Paul’s encounter just because it was not his personal experience with Christ. Ananias respected the fact that this was how Christ decided to approach Saul so that he could experience a real heart transformation to Paul. And I am sure, Ananias’ original encounter with Christ was different from Paul's. We have to be mindful, just like Ananias was being mindful that without Saul’s Damascus encounter with Christ on the road, Saul probably would never have experienced a real heart transformation to Paul. Therefore, he certainly would not have the level of impact or influence that he has had on the church today. 

I won’t go into great details about my own personal encounters with Christ because I have spoken about it many times over the years on my website blog (deaidrenewby.com), my YouTube vlog (deaidre1), as well as through other social media posts (@newforddesigns).

But I will say this. Like Paul, my two encounters with Christ that led to my conversion are unique to me. Like Paul, my encounters with Christ were personal, life-like, and convincing – that they convinced me to make a 180 turn from the way I was living. Like Paul, I was on the sure path to hell. I was choosing a one-way ticket to hell because of my own ignorance. Even Paul admitted this about himself when he was Saul. He said, “although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent (violent, arrogant) man, but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13). Saul was severely persecuting his Jewish brothers and sisters out of his own ignorance.

What about us today? Like Saul, some of us are persecuting our brothers and sisters in the faith because we cannot accept or relate to their personal encounters with Christ. We are dismissing the faith and experiences of some of our brothers and sisters because we personally don’t understand or agree with how GOD speaks or moves in and through them because it is not our own personal experience with GOD.

Like mine, Paul’s encounter with Christ had to be unique to him so that GOD could get his attention. His encounter could not have been done any other way. Otherwise, it would have had no effect on Saul. And he would not have become Paul – an apostle of Christ.

This was no different for me. My encounters with Christ had to be unique for me in order for Christ to get my attention. If it was done in any other way, Dede would have never become the Deaidre I am today. I am certainly not the same person I once was.

Paul certainly is not the same man he once was. And I strongly believe it is safe to say, it is because of his personal encounter he had with Christ on the way to Damascus.
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Individual encounters with Christ need to be different for each individual so that we all can experience a true conversion of our faith. Otherwise, it would be of no effect.