Unstoppable! 'The Turnaround' — Acts 9:19-22

Monday, May 15, 2023

[After he was baptized,] Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is indeed the Son of God!"

All who heard him were amazed. "Isn't this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus' followers in Jerusalem?" they asked. "And didn't he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?"

Saul's preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn't refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

— Acts 9:19-22 NLT

Key Thought

Saul, or Paul as he was later known, did not waste any time in his turnaround. Within a week of coming to Damascus to arrest Christians and persecute them, he had given his life to Jesus and was leading people to confess Jesus as the Son of God! While not always so dramatically, every person who has come to Christ has come out of darkness into the light of God's grace and been remade, reborn, into a new life with fresh purpose. Saul's change was dramatic and amazing. So should ours be!

Today's Prayer

O Father, may people see the faithful love, righteous character, and gracious compassion in my life and know that it is because of Jesus. I pray this in his name, Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, and my Lord. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 3:3-7; Titus 3:3-7
  • 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Peter 2:1-5, 9-10

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 9:19-22 NLT — [After he was baptized,] Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is indeed the Son of God!" All who heard him were amazed. "Isn't this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus' followers in Jerusalem?" they asked. "And didn't he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?" Saul's preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn't refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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