I love studying American history.  Maybe this is because I sat at a desk at Lyons High School in 1986 and listened to my dad make it come to life.

The Battle of Midway.

The Battle of Gettysburg.

The perspective of Abraham Lincoln.

And these events have shaped the world that we live in today.

I am grateful to hear of courageous leaders and, more importantly, courageous men who faced death to give us what we have today.

But nothing compares to Jesus.  What He did on the cross 2000 years ago is the most important event in human history … and we would do well to celebrate it like the greatest New Year’s Eve party on planet earth.

But what was the second most important event?

I believe that the second most important event happened in Syria.

Acts 9 1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.  3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  

4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”  5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.  6 “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

If you are going to mess with the Lion of the Tribe of Judah … do it on this side of death.  On the other side?  He stands in judgment.  I am not saying what His decision will be … but He is the one who will make it.

Paul fell on the ground blind and made the greatest transformation in human history.

And only God can change a life without giving a person a personality transplant.  He takes us just as we are and turns us into amazing versions of ourselves.

Paul’s transformation was so radical that people didn’t trust him because he went from worst enemy to best friend.

And then he fought like a cornered badger to get the message of Jesus out to every person on the planet.

Prison.

Beatings.

Persecution.

Threats.

Nothing could stop him.

Jesus.  He is so good.  Take Him into every area of your life.

In The Name of the Father and the 

Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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Coach J