Acts 9:8-9 – “So Saul got up from the ground, but although his eyes were open, he could see nothing. Leading him by the hand, his companions brought him into Damascus. ⁹ For three days he could not see, and he neither ate nor drank anything.”

A life of miracles is not for the select of the elect super saints.  It is for all Spirit-empowered believers.   Acts 6 tells the story of Deacon Stephen and the miracles, signs, wonders, and wisdom he manifested.  His complete confidence in God enabled him to love and forgive those who murdered him.  That is grace!

In Acts 9, Saul of Tarsus had a divine encounter that transformed his rigid religious heart into a grace-filled heart of compassion that manifested God’s love everywhere.

In Acts 9:8, we read a revelatory statement or description of Saul.  “Although his eyes were open, he could see nothing.”   Not to play loose with the context, but I see a spiritual correlation in this.   Many can see naturally, but are blind spiritually.   

• They are blinded by prejudice.  
• They are blinded by doctrinal blindness.  
• They are blinded by their carnal desires.  
• They are blinded by faux righteousness.  
• Some are in pulpits, blind, trying to lead the blind to a light they themselves cannot see.

Saul’s conversion opened the door to a condition conducive to growth in the church.   Acts 9:31, “The churches experienced peace and were strengthened.  Living in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, the church increased in numbers.”   What a powerful church growth formula – Live in reverential awe of God and the encouragement (anointing) of the Holy Spirit.

A divine encounter transformed Peter from ritualism and legalism to a revelation of grace.  (Acts 10).  Complete confidence in God and surrender enabled Joshua to lead Israel into the place of promise.   It enabled Stephen to die a martyr, yet filled with love for his murderers.  It allowed Saul of Tarsus to become the mighty apostle of God.  It equipped Peter to transition from the bondage of religious rigidity to a man of grace.   It transforms us and enables us to be who God says we are.

Through the revelation of who God is, the Cross, and total surrender, we manifest Jesus, and the life of the miraculous becomes the radically normal life God invites His children into.  The life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God.   It is Christ in us, through us, and with us that we exercise the authority and exhibit the character of Jesus.

The devil fears the person who sees God, not the one who thinks about God.  He fears the believers, not the theorists.  He fears the child of God who has died but lives.

If Stephen, Joshua, Peter, and Paul could do exploits for God, why not us?  God has no favorites!  All are invited into that realm of the miraculous.  He said, “All things are possible to the one who believes.” Do we believe?   It’s time to receive that for which we believe and be who God says we are!

Have a wonderful day, and be determined to be who God says you are!