Preparing to Serve

     Before Saul began his ministry as Paul, he had to take a breath and prepare.  He had the knowledge of the Word, but it was just beginning the transforming work inside him.  He spent several days in Damascus going to the local churches teaching all he knew about Jesus.  When he was not there, he was learning from Jesus' disciples, to know Him better.
     The people were amazed by his transformation.  It was this transformation that gave him power.  His old work friends did not care too much for this transformation, so they began to plot to kill him.  It always seemed like their solution to silence people.
     Paul was an educator, lawyer, and philosopher.  He always enjoyed a good debate.  He did not care if it put his own life in danger.  He believed passionately about what he was talking about.  He had a lot to do to correct his years of being wrong.  He was bold and never backed down, but he also enjoyed peace.  He knew how to balance his life.  He needed to be encouraged like all of us.  Remember to pray for you leaders and tell them when they are doing good. (Acts 9:19-31)

"²⁰ Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.”  ²¹ All who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man in Jerusalem who was causing havoc for those who called on this name and came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?”  ²² But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah."

Acts 9: 20-22 (CSB)