Today’s Community Scripture – 6/4/2025

Saul spent a few days getting acquainted with the Damascus disciples, but then went right to work, wasting no time, preaching in the meeting places that this Jesus was the Son of God. They were caught off guard by this and, not at all sure they could trust him, they kept saying, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem among the believers? And didn’t he come here to do the same thing—arrest us and drag us off to jail in Jerusalem for sentencing by the high priests?” But their suspicions didn’t slow Saul down for even a minute. His momentum was up now and he plowed straight into the opposition, disarming the Damascus Jews and trying to show them that this Jesus was the Messiah. After this had gone on quite a long time, some Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul got wind of it. They were watching the city gates around the clock so they could kill him. Then one night the disciples engineered his escape by lowering him over the wall in a basket.

Acts 9:19–25 (MSG)

– Reflection:

This passage from Acts 9:19–25 (MSG) offers a powerful reflection on transformation, courage, and divine purpose. Saul, once a fierce persecutor of Christians, undergoes a radical change after encountering Jesus. His immediate commitment to preaching the gospel, despite the skepticism and fear of those around him, highlights the depth of his conversion. The disciples’ initial distrust is understandable; yet Saul’s unwavering dedication and boldness in proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah demonstrate the transformative power of faith. Even in the face of life-threatening opposition, Saul does not retreat. Instead, he continues his mission with determination, relying on the support of the very community he once sought to destroy. This passage reminds us that true change is possible and that, with faith and courage, one can overcome past mistakes and boldly pursue a new path aligned with God’s calling.

– Where do we go from here?

Saul’s story challenges us to reflect on how we respond to transformation both within ourselves and in others. Like the early disciples, we may struggle to trust change when it feels too sudden or arises from an unexpected source. Yet, Saul’s boldness reminds us that when God calls, hesitation must yield to action. From here, we are invited to examine our own lives: What mission are we being called to pursue with courage, even amid doubt or danger? How can we support others stepping into new identities and purposes? Moving forward, we are called to be both brave like Saul and supportive like the disciples who helped him escape. Our next step is to live out our faith with conviction, trusting that God can use even the most unlikely people and moments for extraordinary purposes.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, Thank You for the power of transformation and the courage You place in our hearts. Like Saul, help us to boldly step into the purpose You’ve called us to, even when others doubt or when fear tries to hold us back. Teach us to trust in Your plan, to support those who are changing for the better, and to walk forward in faith. May we be vessels of Your grace, ready to act, ready to believe, and ready to follow wherever You lead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 6/2/2025

But she said, “Don’t call me Naomi; call me Bitter. The Strong One has dealt me a bitter blow. I left here full of life, and GOD has brought me back with nothing but the clothes on my back. Why would you call me Naomi? God certainly doesn’t. The Strong One ruined me.” And so Naomi was back, and Ruth the foreigner with her, back from the country of Moab. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

Ruth 1:20–22 (MSG)

– Reflection:

Naomi faced great personal loss in Moab, losing her husband and two sons. Left in poverty with her daughter-in-law Ruth, she returned to Bethlehem. There, Ruth met and married Boaz, a wealthy man. Their lineage led to King David and eventually to Jesus, showing that their hardships were part of a greater divine plan.

– Where do we go from here?

When we focus only on a single loss or a door that unexpectedly closed, it can feel unfair. But when we recognize that God operates across generations, we begin to see the bigger picture. What once seemed like a setback may actually be part of a divine plan, setting the stage for blessings that reach far beyond our own lives and into our destiny.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank You that You know best when it comes to the difficulties that come into our lives. Thank You that Your plans are always so much more fulfilling and bigger than our plans. We declare that You are in control, and we believe that something big is coming our way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 5/30/2025

Peter and the apostles answered, “It’s necessary to obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, the One you killed by hanging him on a cross. God set him on high at his side, Prince and Savior, to give Israel the gift of a changed life and sins forgiven. And we are witnesses to these things. The Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey him, corroborates every detail.” When they heard that, they were furious and wanted to kill them on the spot. But one of the council members stood up, a Pharisee by the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of God’s Law who was honored by everyone. He ordered the men taken out of the room for a short time, then said, “Fellow Israelites, be careful what you do to these men. Not long ago Theudas made something of a splash, claiming to be somebody, and got about four hundred men to join him. He was killed, his followers dispersed, and nothing came of it. A little later, at the time of the census, Judas the Galilean appeared and acquired a following. He also fizzled out and the people following him were scattered to the four winds.

                              Acts 5:29–37 (MSG)

– Reflection:

I need to step back a few chapters in Acts to discuss obeying God and what He has placed in our hearts. When we pursue things here on earth instead of what we know He has for us to do, we become absorbed in the world’s ways. I aspire to be more like the apostles by focusing on what has been instilled in me and the path I have been set on. Peter and the apostles boldly declare that obeying God takes precedence over obeying human authorities. They affirm that God raised Jesus—whom the people had crucified—and exalted Him as Prince and Savior to offer Israel forgiveness and transformation. The apostles testify to these truths and emphasize that the Holy Spirit, given to those who obey God, confirms their message.

– Where do we go from here?

In light of Peter’s bold declaration, we are reminded that true obedience begins with a heart aligned with God’s will. As believers, we are called to stand firm in our faith, even when it challenges societal norms or human expectations. Moving forward, we must seek to listen for God’s voice, trust in His purpose, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide our actions. This means living lives that reflect the transformation Jesus offers—lives characterized by courage, grace, and an unwavering commitment to truth. Let us be witnesses, like the apostles, boldly proclaiming what we know to be true and allowing our obedience to serve as a testimony of God’s power and love.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, we ask that You continue to shape our hearts according to Your will. Instill in us a deep desire to follow You faithfully, to listen for Your voice, and to act in obedience. May the Holy Spirit guide our steps, affirm Your truth in our lives, and empower us to be witnesses of Your grace and mercy.

Today’s Community Scripture – 5/29/2025

There was a disciple in Damascus by the name of Ananias. The Master spoke to him in a vision: “Ananias.” “Yes, Master?” he answered. “Get up and go over to Straight Avenue. Ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus. His name is Saul. He’s there praying. He has just had a dream in which he saw a man named Ananias enter the house and lay hands on him so he could see again.” Ananias protested, “Master, you can’t be serious. Everybody’s talking about this man and the terrible things he’s been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem! And now he’s shown up here with papers from the Chief Priest that give him license to do the same to us.” But the Master said, “Don’t argue. Go! I have picked him as my personal representative to non-Jews and kings and Jews. And now I’m about to show him what he’s in for—the hard suffering that goes with this job.” So Ananias went and found the house, placed his hands on blind Saul, and said, “Brother Saul, the Master sent me, the same Jesus you saw on your way here. He sent me so you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes—he could see again! He got to his feet, was baptized, and sat down with them to a hearty meal.

Acts 9:10–19 (MSG)

– Reflection:

At the heart of this story is Ananias, an ordinary man/disciple, suddenly called into an extraordinary mission. His initial reaction would have probably been mine too, fear and protest, is deeply human. Saul (later Paul) was infamous for persecuting Christians, and Ananias had every reason to be afraid. Yet, despite his fear, he listens. He obeys. And in doing so, he becomes a vessel for one of the most powerful conversions in Christian history. This moment reminds us that God often calls us into uncomfortable places, asking us to trust beyond what we can see or understand. Ananias didn’t know the full plan he only knew he was being asked to go to someone dangerous, someone broken, someone blind. But his obedience became the bridge between Saul’s blindness and his new vision, both physical and spiritual. And Saul; blinded, humbled, praying receives not judgment, but healing. The man who once brought fear is now met with compassion. Ananias calls him “Brother Saul,” a title of acceptance and grace. This is the heart of the gospel: transformation through love, not condemnation.

– Where do we go from here?

The falling of the scales symbolizes more than just restored sight; it represents the shedding of an old identity and an outdated way of seeing the world. Saul is reborn, not merely as a man who can see, but as a man who will now help others see. Now that we’ve witnessed the powerful transformation of Saul into Paul and the courageous obedience of Ananias, we are called to reflect on our own journey of faith and action. Where do we go from here? We move forward with open hearts, ready to be used by God in unexpected ways. Like Ananias, we must be willing to listen—even when it’s uncomfortable—and trust that God’s plans are greater than our fears. Similarly, like Paul, we must be open to transformation, allowing grace to reshape our identity and purpose. This story invites us to live boldly, love radically, and walk in obedience, knowing that even the smallest act of faith can ignite a ripple of redemption in the world around us. The road ahead is not always clear, but with trust in the One who calls us, we can step forward with courage and hope.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, You are the One who sees beyond what we can imagine—who calls the broken, the fearful, and even the persecutor into Your purpose. Thank You for the story of Saul and Ananias, as a reminder that no one is beyond Your reach and that obedience, even when it feels risky, can change the world.

Today’s Community Scripture – 5/28/2025

All this time Saul was breathing down the necks of the Master’s disciples, out for the kill. He went to the Chief Priest and got arrest warrants to take to the meeting places in Damascus so that if he found anyone there belonging to the Way, whether men or women, he could arrest them and bring them to Jerusalem. He set off. When he got to the outskirts of Damascus, he was suddenly dazed by a blinding flash of light. As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?” He said, “Who are you, Master?” “I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down. I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you’ll be told what to do next.” His companions stood there dumbstruck—they could hear the sound, but couldn’t see anyone—while Saul, picking himself up off the ground, found himself stone-blind. They had to take him by the hand and lead him into Damascus. He continued blind for three days. He ate nothing, drank nothing.

Acts 9:1–9 (MSG)

– Reflection:

Saul was a devout and zealous Pharisee, deeply committed to the Jewish law, which he believed was the true path to honoring God. Convinced that the followers of Jesus were a dangerous sect leading people astray, he took it upon himself to hunt them down, believing he was upholding righteousness. With fervent determination, he persecuted early Christians, imprisoning them and even approving of their executions. Yet, in his zeal, Saul was unknowingly fighting against the very God he sought to serve—misguided in his belief that he was protecting the faith, when in truth, he was opposing the fulfillment of God’s promise through Jesus Christ. I do’t think there has been a time where a people has been wronged and GOD has not been there in the gap for them when needed. Jesus and his father stood in the gap for the apostles while Saul was chasing them down and hunting and killing them. What did Jesus do? He didn’t kill him he turned Saul into a disciple and named him Paul. He transformed him into a new person. Amazing. Let go of what needs to be let go of and follow him.

– Where do we go from here?

Saul’s life changed drastically when he was struck blind on the road to Damascus and had to confront the truth that everything he believed was being turned upside down. From that moment on, Saul became Paul, a devoted follower of Jesus and one of the most influential apostles in spreading the gospel.

If you’re asking this in a spiritual or reflective sense, it could mean:

A call to transformation: Like Saul, perhaps it’s time to re-examine your beliefs or actions and ask if they align with truth and love.

A journey of purpose: Paul’s life after conversion was filled with mission, writing, and service. Where could your own mission be leading you?

A moment of surrender: Saul had to relinquish control and trust in something greater. Is there something you’re being called to release or to trust in?

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, today I come before You with a heart open to Your truth. Like Saul, I may have walked paths with conviction, yet not always in alignment with Your will. Forgive me for the times I’ve acted out of zeal without love, or pursued what I thought was right without seeking Your voice. Lord, I ask for clarity where I’ve been blind and courage where I’ve been hesitant. Just as You met Saul on the road to Damascus, meet me in the midst of my journey. Interrupt my plans if they lead me away from You and guide me toward the purpose You’ve prepared for me. Transform my heart, renew my mind, and fill me with the same passion Paul had—not to persecute, but to proclaim Your grace. Let today be a turning point, where I walk not in my understanding but in the light of Your truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.