Latest / Abide Meditation App / Paul_s Powerful Spiritual Awakening_ Open _ Heal The Eyes Of The Heart By The Renewing Of Your Mind

Transcript

Paul_s Powerful Spiritual Awakening_ Open _ Heal The Eyes Of The Heart By The Renewing Of Your Mind · Abide Meditation App

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Find rest as you listen to this peaceful bedtime story.
• 0:05
  Speaker 1: For more Bible stories that bring you refreshing sleep, download
• 0:09
  Speaker 1: the Abide app in the iTunes or Google play store.
• 0:15
  Speaker 2: Welcome to a story of how God opens eyes, of
• 0:20
  Speaker 2: how God opened the eyes of Saul and then radically
• 0:24
  Speaker 2: transformed him into the apostle Paul. But now shift your
• 0:30
  Speaker 2: mind away from today's tasks and worries. Just soak in
• 0:35
  Speaker 2: God's presence and get comfortable. Begin to close your eyes
• 0:40
  Speaker 2: and relax. Breathe in God's peace and breathe out your troubles.
• 0:48
  Speaker 2: Just begin to drift off. And if you fall asleep
• 0:52
  Speaker 2: before I finish, all the better. God is present while
• 0:56
  Speaker 2: you dream too, And now as we begin the time,
• 1:00
  Speaker 2: join me in a moment of opening prayer. Dear God,
• 1:05
  Speaker 2: fill my heart and mind fresh with your presence and
• 1:09
  Speaker 2: your peace as I sleep. May your holy spirit guide
• 1:14
  Speaker 2: my dreams, transform my mind, my spirit, and my soul,
• 1:21
  Speaker 2: just as you transformed Paul. Open my eyes to see
• 1:26
  Speaker 2: the world as you see it, full of love and
• 1:29
  Speaker 2: beauty and joy. You were faithful to Paul, and I
• 1:34
  Speaker 2: believe you'll be faithful to me as well. So now
• 1:38
  Speaker 2: renew me as I rest in you bring me joy
• 1:43
  Speaker 2: and strength for tomorrow in Jesus name. Amen. Now, with
• 1:49
  Speaker 2: your eyes closed, your body at rest, and your mind peaceful,
• 1:54
  Speaker 2: begin to imagine living in first century Damascus. It's about
• 2:00
  Speaker 2: a five day journey north of Jerusalem. You are a
• 2:05
  Speaker 2: Jewish believer living there in relative peace. But you've heard
• 2:11
  Speaker 2: stories of persecution coming from Jerusalem. In particular, you've heard
• 2:17
  Speaker 2: of the brutal atrocities that this Jewish scholar named Saul
• 2:23
  Speaker 2: has been committing on your fellow brothers and sisters following Jesus.
• 2:28
  Speaker 2: Even now, you can hear their cries of pain as
• 2:32
  Speaker 2: they are beaten for their belief. Specifically, Now imagine this
• 2:39
  Speaker 2: from the point of view of Anonius. You are a
• 2:43
  Speaker 2: devout man according to the law. You have a great
• 2:47
  Speaker 2: reputation among the other Jews living in Damascus. But they
• 2:53
  Speaker 2: sense something new and fresh and hopeful about your life.
• 2:59
  Speaker 2: God has trained, transformed you, and opened your eyes to
• 3:02
  Speaker 2: the teachings of Jesus. You often wonder, why can't all believe?
• 3:09
  Speaker 2: Your heart is burdened? You remember your life before you
• 3:13
  Speaker 2: put your trust in Jesus. Jesus has transformed your soul.
• 3:19
  Speaker 2: How does it feel to know you have been changed.
• 3:23
  Speaker 2: Rest here in the sweet memory of the gift of
• 3:27
  Speaker 2: faith that God gave you to have faith how your
• 3:31
  Speaker 2: life has transformed. For a moment you rest in that
• 3:39
  Speaker 2: tranquil space where every thought you have is aligned with God's.
• 3:44
  Speaker 2: But then reality starts to see back in. You've heard
• 3:50
  Speaker 2: reports that Saul has received letters from the High Priest
• 3:54
  Speaker 2: addressed to the synagogues there in Damascus. The letters ask
• 3:59
  Speaker 2: for or their cooperation in the arrest of any followers
• 4:03
  Speaker 2: of the Way that he finds followers like you, cooperation
• 4:09
  Speaker 2: to bring you and your friends back to Jerusalem in chains,
• 4:15
  Speaker 2: heavy cold chains, dragging the ground and dragging you with them.
• 4:23
  Speaker 2: How will they feel around your wrists and ankles, maybe
• 4:27
  Speaker 2: around your neck. You just know Saul is coming for
• 4:32
  Speaker 2: you and your friends, But there is something you don't know.
• 4:37
  Speaker 2: Saul is already here, but something has changed. As Saul
• 4:44
  Speaker 2: was approaching Damascus on his mission three days ago, a
• 4:49
  Speaker 2: light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell
• 4:54
  Speaker 2: to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul,
• 4:59
  Speaker 2: why are you persecuting me? The voice said, I am Jesus,
• 5:06
  Speaker 2: the one you are persecuting. The light and the voice
• 5:11
  Speaker 2: of Jesus blinded him. His traveling companions led Saul by
• 5:17
  Speaker 2: the hand into Damascus, right down the street from you.
• 5:22
  Speaker 2: But you don't know that yet. For now you seek sleep,
• 5:28
  Speaker 2: peace and safety. You dream of light transforming light. So
• 5:37
  Speaker 2: rest for a moment. Just breathe in trust from God,
• 5:42
  Speaker 2: Let the Holy Spirit fill you with faith, and then
• 5:47
  Speaker 2: breathe out and release your worries. Rest now in God's arms.
• 5:57
  Speaker 2: As you dream, you hear a whisper. It's like nothing
• 6:01
  Speaker 2: you've ever felt or heard before. It echoes in your heart.
• 6:05
  Speaker 2: It sounds strangely familiar to your soul. The whisper becomes
• 6:10
  Speaker 2: a vision, calling your name, anoneus. It's the Lord. Breathless
• 6:18
  Speaker 2: for a moment, you humbly respond yes. The Lord tells
• 6:23
  Speaker 2: you go over to the straight street to the House
• 6:27
  Speaker 2: of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man
• 6:31
  Speaker 2: from Tarsus named Saul. He is afraid, he is blind.
• 6:38
  Speaker 2: He is praying to me right now, and I have
• 6:41
  Speaker 2: shown him a vision of you coming in and laying
• 6:45
  Speaker 2: hands on him so he can see again. You are
• 6:49
  Speaker 2: shocked and muster the courage to challenge the Lord's plan.
• 6:55
  Speaker 2: But Lord, you say, I've heard many people talk about
• 6:59
  Speaker 2: the terrible things this man has done to the believers
• 7:02
  Speaker 2: in Jerusalem. The High Priest has authorized him to arrest
• 7:07
  Speaker 2: everyone like me who calls upon your name. But the
• 7:11
  Speaker 2: Lord tells you, Ananias, go for Saul is my chosen
• 7:17
  Speaker 2: instrument to take my message to the gentiles and to
• 7:21
  Speaker 2: the kings, as well as to the people of all
• 7:24
  Speaker 2: of Israel. And I will show him how much he
• 7:27
  Speaker 2: must suffer for my name's sake. That is truly radical transformation.
• 7:36
  Speaker 2: What God has done in your heart has he done
• 7:39
  Speaker 2: in sauls too, as God has chosen you, as He
• 7:44
  Speaker 2: chosen Saul. Imagine the power of God to change the
• 7:48
  Speaker 2: heart of a man like Saul. If God can save Saul,
• 7:53
  Speaker 2: who can't he save? How does that sudden realization bring
• 7:58
  Speaker 2: you even closer to God? Right now? Just rest there
• 8:02
  Speaker 2: for another moment, Breathe in trust from God, let the
• 8:08
  Speaker 2: Holy Spirit fill you with faith, and then breathe out
• 8:14
  Speaker 2: and release your worries. Rest here even longer in God's arms,
• 8:24
  Speaker 2: as if you had a choice, You leave the relative
• 8:28
  Speaker 2: comfort of your home and walk down straight street to
• 8:31
  Speaker 2: the home of Judas every step you take is measured,
• 8:36
  Speaker 2: you feel the rocky soil, your sandals dragging across the
• 8:41
  Speaker 2: stone streets. You've agreed to go, but you are in
• 8:46
  Speaker 2: no hurry, your eyes watching the children playing in the street.
• 8:51
  Speaker 2: The smell of a meal floats from an open window.
• 8:55
  Speaker 2: You wave at friends as you walk down straight street,
• 8:58
  Speaker 2: taking your time. When you finally get there, you knock
• 9:05
  Speaker 2: and the door slowly opens. You step from the brightness
• 9:10
  Speaker 2: into the darkness of Judas's home. Once inside, your eyes
• 9:16
  Speaker 2: begin to adjust and you ask for the man from
• 9:19
  Speaker 2: Tarsus named Saul you were taking in to see him.
• 9:25
  Speaker 2: He isn't what you imagined. He isn't the monster you imagined.
• 9:31
  Speaker 2: He almost seems afraid, and he is definitely praying. With
• 9:36
  Speaker 2: his eyes lifted heavenward. You can see he's blind. The
• 9:40
  Speaker 2: scales are apparent. He stops his prayer for a moment.
• 9:47
  Speaker 2: He seems to since you were there, almost as though
• 9:50
  Speaker 2: he was expecting you. You walk over and lay your
• 9:54
  Speaker 2: hands on him and say, brother Saul. Ah The words
• 9:59
  Speaker 2: to stick in your throat for a moment, but then
• 10:03
  Speaker 2: you feel peace. Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared
• 10:10
  Speaker 2: to you on the road has sent me so that
• 10:14
  Speaker 2: you might regain your sight and be filled with the
• 10:17
  Speaker 2: Holy Spirit. And then instantly something like scales fall from
• 10:23
  Speaker 2: Saul's eyes. Dead scaly skin falls to the ground. Saul
• 10:29
  Speaker 2: looks at you and blinks. He has regained his sight.
• 10:36
  Speaker 2: You help him up, and you walk outside together, from
• 10:40
  Speaker 2: the darkness into the light. Now, brothers in Christ, you
• 10:47
  Speaker 2: walk together down straight street to find a stream or
• 10:50
  Speaker 2: a pond or a river, someplace, any place where you
• 10:54
  Speaker 2: can baptize your new brother in Christ, Paul. At this
• 11:00
  Speaker 2: moment you fade from the story and we hear of
• 11:04
  Speaker 2: you no more. Your role was small but significant. Perhaps,
• 11:10
  Speaker 2: like Anonius, you have wavered when you heard God speaking
• 11:14
  Speaker 2: to you. Or perhaps the Holy Spirit has given you
• 11:19
  Speaker 2: the strength to be faithful and obedient. God can make
• 11:24
  Speaker 2: a small act of obedience from a transformed heart bring
• 11:29
  Speaker 2: a great harvest. God transformed Annius, he changed Paul, and
• 11:38
  Speaker 2: he redeemed you. His ways can seem confusing at times,
• 11:44
  Speaker 2: But now as you sleep, whisper a prayer of reliance
• 11:47
  Speaker 2: on Him, on his word, on his voice, and trust
• 11:52
  Speaker 2: that He has transformed you and will not lead you astray.
• 12:00
  Speaker 2: As you rest, May you be blessed by the Living
• 12:03
  Speaker 2: God that transforms. May the Holy Spirit guide your dreams.
• 12:09
  Speaker 2: Let me pray for you now as you fall asleep.
• 12:13
  Speaker 2: Oh peaceful and loving Father, Be merciful to this one,
• 12:17
  Speaker 2: O God, because of your constant love, because of your
• 12:22
  Speaker 2: great mercy, wipe away their sins, wash away all evil,
• 12:27
  Speaker 2: and make them clean from their sin. Tonight, tonight, let
• 12:31
  Speaker 2: them hear the sounds of joy and gladness. Create in
• 12:36
  Speaker 2: them tonight a pure heart, O God, give them again
• 12:40
  Speaker 2: the joy that comes from your salvation. God, grant this
• 12:45
  Speaker 2: one peace so that they can sleep soundlessly and awaken
• 12:50
  Speaker 2: with a renewed spirit, ready to face the day ahead.
• 12:54
  Speaker 2: In Jesus name. Amen, So continue to pace your breathe
• 13:00
  Speaker 2: now as you continue to rest in the presence of God.
• 13:05
  Speaker 2: Just breathe, just imagine and dream. Breathe in God's peace
• 13:27
  Speaker 2: and breathe out your troubles. Begin to close your eyes
• 13:33
  Speaker 2: and relax. Just soak in God's presence and get comfortable.
• 13:40
  Speaker 2: Just begin to drift off. And if you fall asleep
• 13:44
  Speaker 2: before I finish, all the better. God is present while
• 13:47
  Speaker 2: you dream too. And now as we begin the time,
• 13:52
  Speaker 2: join me in a moment of opening prayer. Dear God,
• 13:57
  Speaker 2: fill my heart and mind fresh with your presence and
• 14:01
  Speaker 2: your peace as I sleep. May your Holy Spirit guide
• 14:07
  Speaker 2: my dreams, transform my mind, my spirit, and my soul,
• 14:13
  Speaker 2: just as you transformed Paul. Open my eyes to see
• 14:18
  Speaker 2: the world as you see it, full of love and
• 14:21
  Speaker 2: beauty and joy. You were faithful to Paul, and I
• 14:26
  Speaker 2: believe you'll be faithful to me as well. So now
• 14:31
  Speaker 2: renew me as I rest in you bring me joy
• 14:35
  Speaker 2: and strength for tomorrow in Jesus name. Amen. Now, with
• 14:42
  Speaker 2: your eyes closed, your body at rest, and your mind peaceful,
• 14:47
  Speaker 2: begin to imagine living in first century Damascus. It's about
• 14:53
  Speaker 2: a five day journey north of Jerusalem. You are a
• 14:57
  Speaker 2: Jewish believer living there in relative peace. But you've heard
• 15:03
  Speaker 2: stories of persecution coming from Jerusalem. In particular, you've heard
• 15:09
  Speaker 2: of the brutal atrocities that this Jewish scholar named Saul
• 15:15
  Speaker 2: has been committing on your fellow brothers and sisters following Jesus.
• 15:20
  Speaker 2: Even now, you can hear their cries of pain as
• 15:24
  Speaker 2: they are beaten for their belief. Specifically, now imagine this
• 15:31
  Speaker 2: from the point of view of Anonius. You are a
• 15:36
  Speaker 2: devout man according to the law. You have a great
• 15:39
  Speaker 2: reputation among the other Jews living in Damascus, but they
• 15:45
  Speaker 2: sense something new and fresh and hopeful about your life.
• 15:51
  Speaker 2: God has transformed you and opened your eyes to the
• 15:55
  Speaker 2: teachings of Jesus. You often wonder why can't all believe?
• 16:02
  Speaker 2: Your heart is burdened? You remember your life before you
• 16:06
  Speaker 2: put your trust in Jesus. Jesus has transformed your soul.
• 16:11
  Speaker 2: How does it feel to know you have been changed?
• 16:16
  Speaker 2: Rest here in the sweet memory of the gift of
• 16:19
  Speaker 2: faith that God gave you to have faith how your
• 16:23
  Speaker 2: life has transformed. For a moment you rest in that
• 16:31
  Speaker 2: tranquil space where every thought you have is aligned with God's.
• 16:37
  Speaker 2: But then reality starts to see back in. You've heard
• 16:42
  Speaker 2: reports that Saul has received letters from the High Priest
• 16:46
  Speaker 2: addressed to the synagogues there in Damascus. The letters ask
• 16:52
  Speaker 2: for their co operation in the arrest of any followers
• 16:55
  Speaker 2: of the way that he finds followers like you, cooperation
• 17:02
  Speaker 2: to bring you and your friends back to Jerusalem in chains,
• 17:07
  Speaker 2: heavy cold chains, dragging the ground and dragging you with them.
• 17:15
  Speaker 2: How will they feel around your wrists and ankles, maybe
• 17:19
  Speaker 2: around your neck. You just know Saul is coming for
• 17:24
  Speaker 2: you and your friends, But there is something you don't know.
• 17:29
  Speaker 2: Saul is already here but something has changed. As Saul
• 17:37
  Speaker 2: was approaching Damascus on his mission three days ago, a
• 17:41
  Speaker 2: light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell
• 17:46
  Speaker 2: to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul,
• 17:51
  Speaker 2: why are you persecuting me? The voice said, I am Jesus,
• 17:58
  Speaker 2: the one you are persecuting. The light in the voice
• 18:03
  Speaker 2: of Jesus blinded him. His traveling companions led Saul by
• 18:09
  Speaker 2: the hand into Damascus, right down the street from you.
• 18:14
  Speaker 2: But you don't know that yet. For now you seek sleep,
• 18:20
  Speaker 2: peace and safety. You dream of light transforming light. So
• 18:29
  Speaker 2: rest for a moment. Just breathe in trust from God,
• 18:35
  Speaker 2: let the Holy Spirit fill you with faith, and then
• 18:39
  Speaker 2: breathe out and release your worries. Rest now in God's arms.
• 18:50
  Speaker 2: As you dream, you hear a whisper. It's like nothing
• 18:53
  Speaker 2: you've ever felt or heard before. It echoes in your heart.
• 18:57
  Speaker 2: It sounds strangely familiar to your soul. The whisper becomes
• 19:03
  Speaker 2: a vision calling your name, Anonius. It's the Lord. Breathless
• 19:10
  Speaker 2: for a moment, you humbly respond yes. The Lord tells
• 19:15
  Speaker 2: you go over to the straight street, to the House
• 19:19
  Speaker 2: of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man
• 19:24
  Speaker 2: from Tarsus named Saul. He is afraid. He is blind.
• 19:30
  Speaker 2: He is praying to me right now, and I have
• 19:33
  Speaker 2: shown him a vision of you coming in and laying
• 19:37
  Speaker 2: hands on him so he can see again. You are
• 19:42
  Speaker 2: shocked and muster the courage to challenge the Lord's plan.
• 19:47
  Speaker 2: But Lord, you say, I've heard many people talk about
• 19:51
  Speaker 2: the terrible things this man has done to the believers
• 19:54
  Speaker 2: in Jerusalem. The High Priest has authorized him to arrest
• 19:59
  Speaker 2: every no one like me who calls upon your name.
• 20:03
  Speaker 2: But the Lord tells you Anenias, go for Saul is
• 20:08
  Speaker 2: my chosen instrument to take my message to the gentiles
• 20:13
  Speaker 2: and to the kings, as well as to the people
• 20:16
  Speaker 2: of all of Israel. And I will show him how
• 20:19
  Speaker 2: much he must suffer for my name's sake. That is
• 20:25
  Speaker 2: truly radical transformation. What God has done in your heart
• 20:30
  Speaker 2: has he done in sauls too? As God has chosen you,
• 20:35
  Speaker 2: as He chosen Saul. Imagine the power of God to
• 20:40
  Speaker 2: change the heart of a man like Saul. If God
• 20:44
  Speaker 2: can save Saul, who can't he save? How does that
• 20:49
  Speaker 2: sudden realization bring you even closer to God? Right now?
• 20:54
  Speaker 2: Just rest there for another moment breathe in trust from God,
• 21:00
  Speaker 2: let the Holy Spirit fill you with faith, and then
• 21:05
  Speaker 2: breathe out and release your worries. Rest here even longer
• 21:11
  Speaker 2: in God's arms, as if you had a choice. You
• 21:19
  Speaker 2: leave the relative comfort of your home and walk down
• 21:22
  Speaker 2: Straight Street to the home of Judas. Every step you
• 21:26
  Speaker 2: take is measured. You feel the rocky soil, your sandals
• 21:32
  Speaker 2: dragging across the stone streets. You've agreed to go, but
• 21:37
  Speaker 2: you are in no hurry, your eyes watching the children
• 21:41
  Speaker 2: playing in the street. The smell of a meal floats
• 21:45
  Speaker 2: from an open window. You wave at friends as you
• 21:49
  Speaker 2: walk down Straight Street, taking your time. When you finally
• 21:54
  Speaker 2: get there, you knock and the door slowly opens. You
• 22:00
  Speaker 2: step from the brightness into the darkness of Judas's home.
• 22:06
  Speaker 2: Once inside, your eyes begin to adjust and you ask
• 22:10
  Speaker 2: for the man from Tarsus named Saul you were taking
• 22:15
  Speaker 2: in to see him. He isn't what you imagined. He
• 22:20
  Speaker 2: isn't the monster you imagined. He almost seems afraid, and
• 22:25
  Speaker 2: he is definitely praying. With his eyes lifted heavenward, you
• 22:31
  Speaker 2: can see he's blind. The scales are apparent. He stops
• 22:36
  Speaker 2: his prayer for a moment. He seems to since you
• 22:40
  Speaker 2: were there, almost as though he was expecting you. You
• 22:45
  Speaker 2: walk over and lay your hands on him and say,
• 22:49
  Speaker 2: brother Saul, Ah. The words just stick in your throat
• 22:53
  Speaker 2: for a moment, but then you feel peace. Brother Saul,
• 23:00
  Speaker 2: the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road
• 23:04
  Speaker 2: has sent me so that you might regain your sight
• 23:08
  Speaker 2: and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And then instantly
• 23:13
  Speaker 2: something like scales fall from Saul's eyes. Dead scaly skin
• 23:18
  Speaker 2: falls to the ground. Saul looks at you and blinks.
• 23:26
  Speaker 2: He has regained his sight. You help him up, and
• 23:30
  Speaker 2: you walk outside together, from the darkness into the light. Now,
• 23:37
  Speaker 2: brothers in Christ, you walk together down straight street to
• 23:42
  Speaker 2: find a stream or a pond or a river, some place,
• 23:45
  Speaker 2: any place where you can baptize your new brother in Christ, Paul.
• 23:52
  Speaker 2: At this moment you fade from the story and we
• 23:56
  Speaker 2: hear of you no more. Your role was but significant. Perhaps,
• 24:03
  Speaker 2: like Annius, you have wavered when you heard God speaking
• 24:07
  Speaker 2: to you, Or perhaps the Holy Spirit has given you
• 24:11
  Speaker 2: the strength to be faithful and obedient. God can make
• 24:16
  Speaker 2: a small act of obedience from a transformed heart bring
• 24:21
  Speaker 2: a great harvest. God transformed Annius, He changed Paul, and
• 24:30
  Speaker 2: he redeemed you. His ways can seem confusing at times.
• 24:36
  Speaker 2: But now as you sleep, whisper a prayer of reliance
• 24:39
  Speaker 2: on Him, on his word, on his voice, and trust
• 24:45
  Speaker 2: that He has transformed you and will not lead you astray.
• 24:52
  Speaker 2: As you rest, may you be blessed by the living
• 24:55
  Speaker 2: God that transforms. May the Holy Spirit guide to you dreams.
• 25:02
  Speaker 2: Let me pray for you now as you fall asleep,
• 25:06
  Speaker 2: Oh peaceful and Loving Father, Be merciful to this one,
• 25:09
  Speaker 2: Oh God, because of your constant love, because of your
• 25:14
  Speaker 2: great mercy, wipe away their sins, wash away all evil,
• 25:19
  Speaker 2: and make them clean from their sin. Tonight, tonight, let
• 25:24
  Speaker 2: them hear the sounds of joy and gladness. Create in
• 25:28
  Speaker 2: them tonight a pure heart, O God, give them again
• 25:32
  Speaker 2: the joy that comes from your salvation. God, grant this
• 25:37
  Speaker 2: one peace so that they can sleep soundlessly and awaken
• 25:42
  Speaker 2: with a renewed spirit, ready to face the day ahead.
• 25:46
  Speaker 2: In Jesus' name, Amen, So continue to pace your breathing now,
• 25:53
  Speaker 2: as you continue to rest in the presence of God.
• 25:58
  Speaker 2: Just breathe, just imagine and dream. Breathe in God's peace
• 26:17
  Speaker 2: and breathe out your troubles. Begin to close your eyes
• 26:23
  Speaker 2: and relax. Just soak in God's presence and get comfortable.
• 26:30
  Speaker 2: Just begin to drift off. And if you fall asleep
• 26:33
  Speaker 2: before I finish, all the better. God is present while
• 26:37
  Speaker 2: you dream too. And now as we begin the time,
• 26:42
  Speaker 2: join me in a moment of opening prayer. Dear God,
• 26:47
  Speaker 2: fill my heart and mind fresh with your presence and
• 26:51
  Speaker 2: your peace as I sleep. May your Holy Spirit guide
• 26:56
  Speaker 2: my dreams, transform my mind, my spirit, and my soul,
• 27:03
  Speaker 2: just as you transformed Paul. Open my eyes to see
• 27:08
  Speaker 2: the world as you see it, full of love and
• 27:11
  Speaker 2: beauty and joy. You were faithful to Paul, and I
• 27:16
  Speaker 2: believe you'll be faithful to me as well. So now
• 27:20
  Speaker 2: renew me as I rest in, you bring me joy
• 27:25
  Speaker 2: and strength for tomorrow in Jesus name. Amen. Now, with
• 27:31
  Speaker 2: your eyes closed, your body at rest, and your mind peaceful,
• 27:36
  Speaker 2: begin to imagine living in first century Damascus. It's about
• 27:42
  Speaker 2: a five day journey north of Jerusalem. You are a
• 27:47
  Speaker 2: Jewish believer living there in relative peace. But you've heard
• 27:53
  Speaker 2: stories of persecution coming from Jerusalem. In particular, you've heard
• 27:59
  Speaker 2: of the brutal atrocities that this Jewish scholar named Saul
• 28:05
  Speaker 2: has been committing on your fellow brothers and sisters following Jesus.
• 28:10
  Speaker 2: Even now you can hear their cries of pain as
• 28:14
  Speaker 2: they are beaten for their belief. Specifically, now imagine this
• 28:21
  Speaker 2: from the point of view of Anonius. You are a
• 28:25
  Speaker 2: devout man according to the law. You have a great
• 28:29
  Speaker 2: reputation among the other Jews living in Damascus. But they
• 28:35
  Speaker 2: sense something new and fresh and hopeful about your life.
• 28:41
  Speaker 2: God has transformed you and opened your eyes to the
• 28:44
  Speaker 2: teachings of Jesus. You often wonder, why can't all believe?
• 28:51
  Speaker 2: Your heart is burdened? You remember your life before you
• 28:55
  Speaker 2: put your trust in Jesus. Jesus has transformed your sol
• 29:01
  Speaker 2: How does it feel to know you have been changed?
• 29:05
  Speaker 2: Rest here in the sweet memory of the gift of
• 29:09
  Speaker 2: faith that God gave you to have faith how your
• 29:13
  Speaker 2: life has transformed. For a moment you rest in that
• 29:21
  Speaker 2: tranquil space where every thought you have is aligned with God's.
• 29:26
  Speaker 2: But then reality starts to see back in. You've heard
• 29:32
  Speaker 2: reports that Saul has received letters from the High Priest
• 29:36
  Speaker 2: addressed to the synagogues there in Damascus. The letters ask
• 29:42
  Speaker 2: for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of
• 29:45
  Speaker 2: the way that he finds followers like you cooperation to
• 29:52
  Speaker 2: bring you and your friends back to Jerusalem in chains,
• 29:57
  Speaker 2: heavy cold chains, dragging the ground and dragging you with them.
• 30:05
  Speaker 2: How will they feel around your wrists and ankles, maybe
• 30:09
  Speaker 2: around your neck. You just know Saul is coming for
• 30:14
  Speaker 2: you and your friends, but there is something you don't know.
• 30:19
  Speaker 2: Saul is already here, but something has changed. As Saul
• 30:26
  Speaker 2: was approaching Damascus on his mission three days ago, a
• 30:31
  Speaker 2: light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell
• 30:36
  Speaker 2: to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul,
• 30:41
  Speaker 2: why are you persecuting me? The voice said, I am Jesus,
• 30:48
  Speaker 2: the one you are persecuting. The light in the voice
• 30:53
  Speaker 2: of Jesus blinded him. His traveling companions led Saul by
• 30:59
  Speaker 2: the hand into Damascus. Write down the street from you.
• 31:04
  Speaker 2: But you don't know that yet. For now you seek sleep,
• 31:10
  Speaker 2: peace and safety. You dream of light transforming light. So
• 31:19
  Speaker 2: rest for a moment. Just breathe in trust from God,
• 31:24
  Speaker 2: let the Holy Spirit fill you with faith, and then
• 31:29
  Speaker 2: breathe out and release your worries. Rest now in God's arms.
• 31:39
  Speaker 2: As you dream, you hear a whisper. It's like nothing
• 31:43
  Speaker 2: you've ever felt or heard before. It echoes in your heart.
• 31:47
  Speaker 2: It sounds strangely familiar to your soul. The whisper becomes
• 31:52
  Speaker 2: a vision, calling your name, anoneus. It's the Lord. Breathless
• 32:00
  Speaker 2: for a moment, you humbly respond yes. The Lord tells
• 32:05
  Speaker 2: you go over to the straight street to the House
• 32:09
  Speaker 2: of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man
• 32:13
  Speaker 2: from Tarsus named Saul. He is afraid. He is blind.
• 32:20
  Speaker 2: He is praying to me right now, and I have
• 32:23
  Speaker 2: shown him a vision of you coming in and laying
• 32:27
  Speaker 2: hands on him so he can see again. You are
• 32:31
  Speaker 2: shocked and muster the courage to challenge the Lord's plan.
• 32:37
  Speaker 2: But Lord, you say, I've heard many people talk about
• 32:41
  Speaker 2: the terrible things this man has done to the believers
• 32:44
  Speaker 2: in Jerusalem. The High Priest has authorized him to arrest
• 32:49
  Speaker 2: everyone like me who calls upon your name. But the
• 32:53
  Speaker 2: Lord tells you, Annias, go for Saul is my chosen instrument,
• 33:00
  Speaker 2: and to take my message to the gentiles and to
• 33:03
  Speaker 2: the kings, as well as to the people of all
• 33:06
  Speaker 2: of Israel. And I will show him how much he
• 33:09
  Speaker 2: must suffer for my name's sake. That is truly radical transformation.
• 33:18
  Speaker 2: What God has done in your heart. Has He done
• 33:21
  Speaker 2: in sauls too? As God has chosen you. As He
• 33:26
  Speaker 2: chosen Saul. Imagine the power of God to change the
• 33:30
  Speaker 2: heart of a man like Saul. If God can save Saul,
• 33:35
  Speaker 2: who can't he save? How does that sudden realization bring
• 33:40
  Speaker 2: you even closer to God? Right now? Just rest there
• 33:44
  Speaker 2: for another moment. Breathe in trust from God, let the
• 33:50
  Speaker 2: Holy Spirit fill you with faith, and then breathe out
• 33:56
  Speaker 2: and release your worries. Rest here longer in God's arms,
• 34:06
  Speaker 2: as if you had a choice, You leave the relative
• 34:10
  Speaker 2: comfort of your home and walk down Straight Street to
• 34:13
  Speaker 2: the home of Judas. Every step you take is measured.
• 34:18
  Speaker 2: You feel the rocky soil, your sandals dragging across the
• 34:23
  Speaker 2: stone streets. You've agreed to go, but you are in
• 34:28
  Speaker 2: no hurry, your eyes watching the children playing in the street.
• 34:33
  Speaker 2: The smell of a meal floats from an open window.
• 34:37
  Speaker 2: You wave at friends as you walk down Straight Street,
• 34:40
  Speaker 2: taking your time. When you finally get there, you knock
• 34:47
  Speaker 2: and the door slowly opens. You step from the brightness
• 34:52
  Speaker 2: into the darkness of Judas's home. Once inside, your eyes
• 34:58
  Speaker 2: begin to adjust and add ask for the man from
• 35:01
  Speaker 2: Tarsus named Saul. You were taking in to see him.
• 35:07
  Speaker 2: He isn't what you imagined. He isn't the monster you imagined.
• 35:13
  Speaker 2: He almost seems afraid, and he is definitely praying with
• 35:18
  Speaker 2: his eyes lifted heavenward. You can see he's blind. The
• 35:22
  Speaker 2: scales are apparent. He stops his prayer for a moment.
• 35:29
  Speaker 2: He seems to since you were there, almost as though
• 35:32
  Speaker 2: he was expecting you. You walk over and lay your
• 35:36
  Speaker 2: hands on him and say, brother Saul, Ah. The words
• 35:41
  Speaker 2: just stick in your throat for a moment, but then
• 35:45
  Speaker 2: you feel peace. Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared
• 35:52
  Speaker 2: to you on the road has sent me so that
• 35:56
  Speaker 2: you might regain your sight and be filled with the
• 35:59
  Speaker 2: Holy Spirit. And then instantly, something like scales fall from
• 36:05
  Speaker 2: Saul's eyes. Dead scaly skin falls to the ground. Saul
• 36:11
  Speaker 2: looks at you and blinks. He has regained his sight.
• 36:18
  Speaker 2: You help him up, and you walk outside together from
• 36:22
  Speaker 2: the darkness into the light. Now, brothers in Christ, you
• 36:29
  Speaker 2: walk together down straight street to find a stream or
• 36:32
  Speaker 2: a pond or a river, some place, any place where
• 36:36
  Speaker 2: you can baptize your new brother in Christ, Paul. At
• 36:42
  Speaker 2: this moment, you fade from the story and we hear
• 36:46
  Speaker 2: of you no more. Your role was small but significant. Perhaps,
• 36:52
  Speaker 2: like Anonius, you have wavered when you heard God speaking
• 36:56
  Speaker 2: to you, or perhaps the Holy has given you the
• 37:01
  Speaker 2: strength to be faithful and obedient. God can make a
• 37:06
  Speaker 2: small act of obedience from a transformed heart, bring a
• 37:11
  Speaker 2: great harvest. God transformed and aniyas he changed Paul, and
• 37:20
  Speaker 2: he redeemed you. His ways can seem confusing at times,
• 37:26
  Speaker 2: But now as you sleep, whisper a prayer of reliance
• 37:29
  Speaker 2: on Him, on his word, on his voice, and trust
• 37:34
  Speaker 2: that He has transformed you and will not lead you astray.
• 37:42
  Speaker 2: As you rest, may you be blessed by the living
• 37:45
  Speaker 2: God that transforms. May the Holy Spirit guide your dreams.
• 37:52
  Speaker 2: Let me pray for you now as you fall asleep,
• 37:55
  Speaker 2: Oh peaceful and loving Father, be merciful to this one,
• 37:59
  Speaker 2: O God God, because of your constant love, because of
• 38:04
  Speaker 2: your great mercy, wipe away their sins, wash away all evil,
• 38:09
  Speaker 2: and make them clean from their sin. Tonight, tonight, let
• 38:13
  Speaker 2: them hear the sounds of joy and gladness. Create in
• 38:18
  Speaker 2: them tonight a pure heart, O God, give them again
• 38:22
  Speaker 2: the joy that comes from your salvation. God, grant this
• 38:27
  Speaker 2: one peace so that they can sleep soundlessly and awaken
• 38:32
  Speaker 2: with a renewed spirit, ready to face the day ahead.
• 38:36
  Speaker 2: In Jesus' name, Amen, So continue to pace your breathing.
• 38:42
  Speaker 2: Now as you continue to rest in the presence of God.
• 38:47
  Speaker 2: Just breathe, just imagine and dream. Breathe in God's peace
• 39:07
  Speaker 2: and breathe out your troubles. Begin to close your eyes
• 39:12
  Speaker 2: and relax. Just soak in God's presence and get comfortable.
• 39:19
  Speaker 2: Just begin to drift off. And if you fall asleep
• 39:23
  Speaker 2: before I finish, all the better. God is present while
• 39:27
  Speaker 2: you dream too. And now as we begin the time,
• 39:32
  Speaker 2: join me in a moment of opening prayer. Dear God,
• 39:37
  Speaker 2: fill my heart and mind fresh with your presence and
• 39:41
  Speaker 2: your peace as I sleep. May your Holy Spirit guide
• 39:46
  Speaker 2: my dreams, transform my mind, my spirit, and my soul,
• 39:53
  Speaker 2: just as you transformed Paul. Open my eyes to see
• 39:57
  Speaker 2: the world as you see it, full of love and
• 40:01
  Speaker 2: beauty and joy. You were faithful to Paul, and I
• 40:06
  Speaker 2: believe you'll be faithful to me as well. So now
• 40:10
  Speaker 2: renew me as I rest in, You bring me joy
• 40:14
  Speaker 2: and strength for tomorrow. In Jesus name. Amen, Now, with
• 40:21
  Speaker 2: your eyes closed, your body at rest, and your mind peaceful,
• 40:26
  Speaker 2: begin to imagine living in first century Damascus. It's about
• 40:32
  Speaker 2: a five day journey north of Jerusalem. You are a
• 40:37
  Speaker 2: Jewish believer living there in relative peace, but you've heard
• 40:43
  Speaker 2: stories of persecution coming from Jerusalem. In particular, you've heard
• 40:49
  Speaker 2: of the brutal atrocities that this Jewish scholar named Saul
• 40:54
  Speaker 2: has been committing on your fellow brothers and sisters following Jesus.
• 41:00
  Speaker 2: Even now, you can hear their cries of pain as
• 41:04
  Speaker 2: they are beaten for their belief. Specifically, now imagine this
• 41:11
  Speaker 2: from the point of view of Anonius. You are a
• 41:15
  Speaker 2: devout man according to the law. You have a great
• 41:19
  Speaker 2: reputation among the other Jews living in Damascus. But they
• 41:25
  Speaker 2: sense something new and fresh and hopeful about your life.
• 41:31
  Speaker 2: God has transformed you and opened your eyes to the
• 41:34
  Speaker 2: teachings of Jesus. You often wonder why can't all believe?
• 41:41
  Speaker 2: Your heart is burdened? You remember your life before you
• 41:45
  Speaker 2: put your trust in Jesus. Jesus has transformed your soul.
• 41:51
  Speaker 2: How does it feel to know you have been changed?
• 41:55
  Speaker 2: Rest here in the sweet memory of the gift of
• 41:59
  Speaker 2: faith that God gave you to have faith? How your
• 42:03
  Speaker 2: life has transformed For a moment you rest in that
• 42:11
  Speaker 2: tranquil space where every thought you have is aligned with gods.
• 42:16
  Speaker 2: But then reality starts to see back in. You've heard
• 42:21
  Speaker 2: reports that Saul has received letters from the High Priest
• 42:26
  Speaker 2: addressed to the synagogues there in Damascus. The letters ask
• 42:31
  Speaker 2: for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of
• 42:35
  Speaker 2: the Way that he finds followers like you, cooperation to
• 42:41
  Speaker 2: bring you and your friends back to Jerusalem in chains,
• 42:46
  Speaker 2: heavy cold chains, dragging the ground and dragging you with them.
• 42:55
  Speaker 2: How will they feel around your wrists and ankles, maybe
• 42:59
  Speaker 2: around your neck. You just know Saul is coming for
• 43:04
  Speaker 2: you and your friends, but there is something you don't know.
• 43:08
  Speaker 2: Saul is already here, but something has changed. As Saul
• 43:16
  Speaker 2: was approaching Damascus on his mission three days ago, a
• 43:21
  Speaker 2: light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell
• 43:26
  Speaker 2: to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul,
• 43:30
  Speaker 2: why are you persecuting me? The voice said, I am Jesus,
• 43:38
  Speaker 2: the one you are persecuting. The light in the voice
• 43:43
  Speaker 2: of Jesus blinded him. His traveling companions led Saul by
• 43:49
  Speaker 2: the hand into Damascus, right down the street from you.
• 43:54
  Speaker 2: But you don't know that yet for now you seek sleep,
• 44:00
  Speaker 2: peace and safety. You dream of light, transforming light. So
• 44:09
  Speaker 2: rest for a moment. Just breathe in trust from God,
• 44:14
  Speaker 2: Let the Holy Spirit fill you with faith, and then
• 44:19
  Speaker 2: breathe out and release your worries. Rest now in God's arms.
• 44:29
  Speaker 2: As you dream, you hear a whisper. It's like nothing
• 44:33
  Speaker 2: you've ever felt or heard before. It echoes in your heart.
• 44:37
  Speaker 2: It sounds strangely familiar to your soul. The whisper becomes
• 44:42
  Speaker 2: a vision calling your name, anoneus. It's the Lord. Breathless
• 44:50
  Speaker 2: for a moment, you humbly respond yes. The Lord tells
• 44:55
  Speaker 2: you go over to the straight street, to the House
• 44:59
  Speaker 2: of Judah. When you get there, ask for a man
• 45:03
  Speaker 2: from Tarsus named Saul. He is afraid. He is blind.
• 45:10
  Speaker 2: He is praying to me right now, and I have
• 45:13
  Speaker 2: shown him a vision of you coming in and laying
• 45:17
  Speaker 2: hands on him so he can see again. You are
• 45:21
  Speaker 2: shocked and muster the courage to challenge the Lord's plan.
• 45:27
  Speaker 2: But Lord, you say, I've heard many people talk about
• 45:31
  Speaker 2: the terrible things this man has done to the believers
• 45:34
  Speaker 2: in Jerusalem. The High Priest has authorized him to arrest
• 45:39
  Speaker 2: everyone like me who calls upon your name. But the
• 45:43
  Speaker 2: Lord tells you, Ananias, go for Saul is my chosen
• 45:49
  Speaker 2: instrument to take my message to the gentiles and to
• 45:53
  Speaker 2: the kings, as well as to the people of all
• 45:56
  Speaker 2: of Israel. And I will show him how much he
• 45:59
  Speaker 2: must suffer for my name's sake. That is truly radical transformation.
• 46:08
  Speaker 2: What God has done in your heart has he done
• 46:11
  Speaker 2: in sauls too, as God has chosen you as He
• 46:15
  Speaker 2: chosen Saul. Imagine the power of God to change the
• 46:20
  Speaker 2: heart of a man like Saul. If God can save Saul,
• 46:25
  Speaker 2: who can't he save? How does that sudden realization bring
• 46:30
  Speaker 2: you even closer to God? Right now? Just rest there
• 46:34
  Speaker 2: for another moment. Breathe in trust from God, let the
• 46:40
  Speaker 2: Holy Spirit fill you with faith, and then breathe out
• 46:46
  Speaker 2: and release your worries. Rest here even longer in God's arms,
• 46:56
  Speaker 2: as if you had a choice. You leave the relative
• 47:00
  Speaker 2: comfort of your home and walk down straight street to
• 47:03
  Speaker 2: the home of Judas every step you take is measured.
• 47:08
  Speaker 2: You feel the rocky soil, your sandals dragging across the
• 47:13
  Speaker 2: stone streets. You've agreed to go, but you are in
• 47:18
  Speaker 2: no hurry. Your eyes watching the children playing in the street.
• 47:23
  Speaker 2: The smell of a meal floats from an open window.
• 47:27
  Speaker 2: You wave at friends as you walk down straight street,
• 47:30
  Speaker 2: taking your time. When you finally get there, you knock
• 47:37
  Speaker 2: and the door slowly opens. You step from the brightness
• 47:41
  Speaker 2: into the darkness of Judas's home. Once inside, your eyes
• 47:48
  Speaker 2: begin to adjust and you ask for the man from
• 47:51
  Speaker 2: Tarsus named Saul you were taking in to see him.
• 47:57
  Speaker 2: He isn't what you imagined, isn't the monster you imagined.
• 48:03
  Speaker 2: He almost seems afraid, and he is definitely praying. With
• 48:08
  Speaker 2: his eyes lifted heavenward. You can see he's blind. The
• 48:12
  Speaker 2: scales are apparent. He stops his prayer for a moment.
• 48:18
  Speaker 2: He seems to since you were there, almost as though
• 48:22
  Speaker 2: he was expecting you. You walk over and lay your
• 48:26
  Speaker 2: hands on him and say, brother Saul, Ah. The words
• 48:31
  Speaker 2: just stick in your throat for a moment, but then
• 48:35
  Speaker 2: you feel peace. Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared
• 48:42
  Speaker 2: to you on the road has sent me so that
• 48:46
  Speaker 2: you might regain your sight and be filled with the
• 48:48
  Speaker 2: Holy Spirit. And then instantly, something like scales fall from
• 48:55
  Speaker 2: Saul's eyes. Dead scaly skin falls to the ground. Saul
• 49:01
  Speaker 2: looks at you and blinks. He has regained his sight.
• 49:08
  Speaker 2: You help him up and you walk outside together, from
• 49:12
  Speaker 2: the darkness into the light. Now, brothers in Christ, you
• 49:19
  Speaker 2: walk together down straight street to find a stream or
• 49:22
  Speaker 2: a pond or a river, some place, any place where
• 49:26
  Speaker 2: you can baptize your new brother in Christ, Paul. At
• 49:31
  Speaker 2: this moment you fade from the story, and we hear
• 49:36
  Speaker 2: of you no more. Your role was small but significant. Perhaps,
• 49:42
  Speaker 2: like Anonius, you have wavered when you heard God speaking
• 49:46
  Speaker 2: to you, Or perhaps the Holy Spirit has given you
• 49:51
  Speaker 2: the strength to be faithful and obedient. God can make
• 49:55
  Speaker 2: a small act of obedience from a transformed heart, bring
• 50:01
  Speaker 2: a great harvest. God transformed an anayas he changed Paul,
• 50:09
  Speaker 2: and he redeemed you. His ways can seem confusing at times,
• 50:16
  Speaker 2: But now as you sleep, whisper a prayer of reliance
• 50:19
  Speaker 2: on Him, on his word, on his voice, and trust
• 50:24
  Speaker 2: that He has transformed you and will not lead you astray.
• 50:32
  Speaker 2: As you rest, may you be blessed by the Living
• 50:35
  Speaker 2: God that transforms. May the Holy Spirit guide your dreams.
• 50:41
  Speaker 2: Let me pray for you now as you fall asleep,
• 50:45
  Speaker 2: Oh peaceful and loving Father, be merciful to this one,
• 50:49
  Speaker 2: O God, because of your constant love. Because of your
• 50:54
  Speaker 2: great mercy, wipe away their sins, wash away all evil,
• 50:59
  Speaker 2: and make them clean from their sin. Tonight, tonight, let
• 51:03
  Speaker 2: them hear the sounds of joy and gladness. Create in
• 51:08
  Speaker 2: them tonight a pure heart. O God, give them again
• 51:12
  Speaker 2: the joy that comes from your salvation. God, grant this
• 51:17
  Speaker 2: one peace so that they can sleep soundlessly and awaken
• 51:22
  Speaker 2: with a renewed spirit, ready to face the day ahead.
• 51:26
  Speaker 2: In Jesus' name, Amen, So continue to pace your breathing.
• 51:32
  Speaker 2: Now as you continue to rest in the presence of God.
• 51:37
  Speaker 2: Just breathe, just imagine and dream. Welcome to a story
• 51:47
  Speaker 2: of how God opens eyes, of how God opened the
• 51:52
  Speaker 2: eyes of Saul and then radically transformed him into the apostle. Paul.
• 52:00
  Speaker 2: I'll shift your mind away from today's tasks and worries.
• 52:05
  Speaker 2: Just soak in God's presence and get comfortable. Begin to
• 52:09
  Speaker 2: close your eyes and relax. Breathe in God's peace and
• 52:15
  Speaker 2: breathe out your troubles. Just begin to drift off. And
• 52:21
  Speaker 2: if you fall asleep before I finish, all the better.
• 52:24
  Speaker 2: God is present while you dream too. And now as
• 52:29
  Speaker 2: we begin the time, join me in a moment of
• 52:31
  Speaker 2: opening prayer. Dear God, fill my heart and mind fresh
• 52:38
  Speaker 2: with your presence and your peace as I sleep. May
• 52:43
  Speaker 2: your Holy Spirit guide my dreams, transform my mind, my spirit,
• 52:50
  Speaker 2: and my soul, just as you transformed Paul. Open my
• 52:55
  Speaker 2: eyes to see the world as you see it, full
• 52:58
  Speaker 2: of love and beauty and joy. You were faithful to Paul,
• 53:04
  Speaker 2: and I believe you'll be faithful to me as well.
• 53:08
  Speaker 2: So now renew me as I rest in, you bring
• 53:12
  Speaker 2: me joy and strength for tomorrow in Jesus name. Amen. Now,
• 53:20
  Speaker 2: with your eyes closed, your body at rest, and your
• 53:23
  Speaker 2: mind peaceful, begin to imagine living in first century Damascus.
• 53:30
  Speaker 2: It's about a five day journey north of Jerusalem. You
• 53:35
  Speaker 2: are a Jewish believer living there in relative peace. But
• 53:41
  Speaker 2: you've heard stories of persecution coming from Jerusalem. In particular,
• 53:47
  Speaker 2: you've heard of the brutal atrocities that this Jewish scholar
• 53:52
  Speaker 2: named Saul has been committing on your fellow brothers and
• 53:55
  Speaker 2: sisters following Jesus. Even now, you can hear their cries
• 54:01
  Speaker 2: of pain as they are beaten for their belief. Specifically,
• 54:08
  Speaker 2: now imagine this from the point of view of Anonius.
• 54:13
  Speaker 2: You are a devout man. According to the law. You
• 54:17
  Speaker 2: have a great reputation among the other Jews living in Damascus,
• 54:23
  Speaker 2: but they sense something new and fresh and hopeful about
• 54:27
  Speaker 2: your life. God has transformed you and opened your eyes
• 54:33
  Speaker 2: to the teachings of Jesus. You often wonder why can't
• 54:38
  Speaker 2: all believe? Your heart is burdened? You remember your life
• 54:43
  Speaker 2: before you put your trust in Jesus. Jesus has transformed
• 54:48
  Speaker 2: your soul. How does it feel to know you have
• 54:52
  Speaker 2: been changed? Rest here in the sweet memory of the
• 54:57
  Speaker 2: gift of faith that God gave you to You have
• 55:00
  Speaker 2: faith how your life has transformed. For a moment you
• 55:08
  Speaker 2: rest in that tranquil space where every thought you have
• 55:13
  Speaker 2: is aligned with Gods. But then reality starts to see
• 55:18
  Speaker 2: back in. You've heard reports that Saul has received letters
• 55:23
  Speaker 2: from the High Priest addressed to the synagogues there in Damascus.
• 55:29
  Speaker 2: The letters ask for their cooperation in the arrest of
• 55:32
  Speaker 2: any followers of the Way that he finds followers like you,
• 55:39
  Speaker 2: cooperation to bring you and your friends back to Jerusalem
• 55:43
  Speaker 2: in chains, heavy cold chains, dragging the ground and dragging
• 55:52
  Speaker 2: you with them. How will they feel around your wrists
• 55:56
  Speaker 2: and ankles, maybe around your neck. You just know Saul
• 56:01
  Speaker 2: is coming for you and your friends. But there is
• 56:05
  Speaker 2: something you don't know. Saul is already here, but something
• 56:11
  Speaker 2: has changed. As Saul was approaching Damascus on his mission
• 56:18
  Speaker 2: three days ago, a light from heaven suddenly shone down
• 56:22
  Speaker 2: around him. He fell to the ground and heard a
• 56:25
  Speaker 2: voice saying to him, Saul, why are you persecuting me?
• 56:33
  Speaker 2: The voice said, I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.
• 56:40
  Speaker 2: The light in the voice of Jesus blinded him. His
• 56:45
  Speaker 2: traveling companions led Saul by the hand into Damascus, right
• 56:50
  Speaker 2: down the street from you. But you don't know that yet.
• 56:55
  Speaker 2: For now, you seek sleep, peace and safety. You dream
• 57:03
  Speaker 2: of light transforming light. So rest for a moment. Just
• 57:10
  Speaker 2: breathe in trust from God, let the Holy Spirit fill
• 57:14
  Speaker 2: you with faith, and then breathe out and release your worries.
• 57:22
  Speaker 2: Rest now in God's arms. As you dream, you hear
• 57:29
  Speaker 2: a whisper. It's like nothing you've ever felt or heard before.
• 57:34
  Speaker 2: It echoes in your heart. It sounds strangely familiar to
• 57:38
  Speaker 2: your soul. The whisper becomes a vision calling your name, anoneus.
• 57:47
  Speaker 2: It's the Lord. Breathless for a moment, you humbly respond yes.
• 57:52
  Speaker 2: The Lord tells you go over to the straight street,
• 57:57
  Speaker 2: to the House of Judas. When when you get there,
• 58:01
  Speaker 2: ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is afraid.
• 58:06
  Speaker 2: He is blind. He is praying to me right now,
• 58:11
  Speaker 2: and I have shown him a vision of you coming
• 58:14
  Speaker 2: in and laying hands on him so he can see again.
• 58:19
  Speaker 2: You are shocked and muster the courage to challenge the
• 58:24
  Speaker 2: Lord's plan. But Lord, you say, I've heard many people
• 58:29
  Speaker 2: talk about the terrible things this man has done to
• 58:32
  Speaker 2: the believers in Jerusalem. The High Priest has authorized him
• 58:37
  Speaker 2: to arrest everyone like me who calls upon your name.
• 58:41
  Speaker 2: But the Lord tells you, Annias, go for Saul is
• 58:47
  Speaker 2: my chosen instrument to take my message to the gentiles
• 58:51
  Speaker 2: and to the kings, as well as to the people
• 58:54
  Speaker 2: of all of Israel. And I will show him how
• 58:57
  Speaker 2: much he must suffer for my name's sake. That is
• 59:03
  Speaker 2: truly radical transformation. What God has done in your heart
• 59:09
  Speaker 2: has he done in sauls too? As God has chosen you,
• 59:14
  Speaker 2: as he chosen Saul. Imagine the power of God to
• 59:18
  Speaker 2: change the heart of a man like Saul. If God
• 59:22
  Speaker 2: can save Saul, who can't he save? How does that
• 59:27
  Speaker 2: sudden realization bring you even closer to God. Right now,
• 59:32
  Speaker 2: just rest there for another moment. Breathe in trust from God,
• 59:39
  Speaker 2: let the Holy Spirit fill you with faith, and then
• 59:43
  Speaker 2: breathe out and release your worries. Rest here even longer
• 59:49
  Speaker 2: in God's arms, as if you had a choice. You
• 59:57
  Speaker 2: leave the relative comfort of your home and walk down
• 1:00:00
  Speaker 2: Straight Street to the home of Judas. Every step you
• 1:00:05
  Speaker 2: take is measured. You feel the rocky soil, your sandals
• 1:00:10
  Speaker 2: dragging across the stone streets. You've agreed to go, but
• 1:00:16
  Speaker 2: you are in no hurry. Your eyes watching the children
• 1:00:20
  Speaker 2: playing in the street. The smell of a meal floats
• 1:00:23
  Speaker 2: from an open window. You wave at friends as you
• 1:00:27
  Speaker 2: walk down Straight Street, taking your time. When you finally
• 1:00:32
  Speaker 2: get there, you knock and the door slowly opens. You
• 1:00:38
  Speaker 2: step from the brightness into the darkness of Judas's home.
• 1:00:44
  Speaker 2: Once inside, your eyes begin to adjust and you ask
• 1:00:48
  Speaker 2: for the man from Tarsus named Saul you were taking
• 1:00:53
  Speaker 2: in to see him. He isn't what you imagined. He
• 1:00:58
  Speaker 2: isn't the monster you are imagined. He almost seems afraid,
• 1:01:04
  Speaker 2: and he is definitely praying. With his eyes lifted heavenward,
• 1:01:09
  Speaker 2: you can see he's blind. The scales are apparent. He
• 1:01:14
  Speaker 2: stops his prayer for a moment. He seems to since
• 1:01:18
  Speaker 2: you were there, almost as though he was expecting you.
• 1:01:23
  Speaker 2: You walk over and lay your hands on him and say,
• 1:01:27
  Speaker 2: brother Saul, Ah. The words just stick in your throat
• 1:01:31
  Speaker 2: for a moment, but then you feel peace. Brother Saul,
• 1:01:38
  Speaker 2: the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road
• 1:01:43
  Speaker 2: has sent me so that you might regain your sight
• 1:01:46
  Speaker 2: and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And then instantly
• 1:01:51
  Speaker 2: something like scales fall from Saul's eyes, dead scaly skin
• 1:01:57
  Speaker 2: falls to the ground. It all looks at you and blinks.
• 1:02:04
  Speaker 2: He has regained his sight. You help him up, and
• 1:02:08
  Speaker 2: you walk outside together, from the darkness into the light. Now,
• 1:02:15
  Speaker 2: Brothers in Christ, you walk together down straight street to
• 1:02:20
  Speaker 2: find a stream or a pond or a river, someplace,
• 1:02:23
  Speaker 2: any place where you can baptize your new brother in Christ, Paul.
• 1:02:30
  Speaker 2: At this moment you fade from the story and we
• 1:02:34
  Speaker 2: hear of you no more. Your role was small but significant. Perhaps,
• 1:02:41
  Speaker 2: like Anonius, you have wavered when you heard God speaking
• 1:02:45
  Speaker 2: to you, Or perhaps the Holy Spirit has given you
• 1:02:49
  Speaker 2: the strength to be faithful and obedient. God can make
• 1:02:54
  Speaker 2: a small act of obedience from a transformed heart, bring
• 1:02:59
  Speaker 2: a rate harvest. God transformed and aniyas he changed Paul,
• 1:03:08
  Speaker 2: and he redeemed you. His ways can seem confusing at times,
• 1:03:14
  Speaker 2: But now as you sleep, whisper a prayer of reliance
• 1:03:18
  Speaker 2: on Him, on his word, on his voice, and trust
• 1:03:23
  Speaker 2: that He has transformed you and will not lead you astray.
• 1:03:30
  Speaker 2: As you rest, may you be blessed by the living
• 1:03:34
  Speaker 2: God that transforms. May the Holy Spirit guide your dreams.
• 1:03:40
  Speaker 2: Let me pray for you now as you fall asleep,
• 1:03:44
  Speaker 2: Oh peaceful and loving Father, Be merciful to this one,
• 1:03:48
  Speaker 2: Oh God, because of your constant love, because of your
• 1:03:52
  Speaker 2: great mercy, wipe away their sins, wash away all evil,
• 1:03:58
  Speaker 2: and make them clean from their sin. To tonight, let
• 1:04:02
  Speaker 2: them hear the sounds of joy and gladness. Create in
• 1:04:06
  Speaker 2: them tonight a pure heart, O God, give them again
• 1:04:10
  Speaker 2: the joy that comes from your salvation. God, grant this
• 1:04:15
  Speaker 2: one peace so that they can sleep soundlessly and awaken
• 1:04:20
  Speaker 2: with a renewed spirit, ready to face the day ahead.
• 1:04:24
  Speaker 2: In Jesus' name, Amen, So continue to pace your breathing
• 1:04:30
  Speaker 2: now as you continue to rest in the presence of God.
• 1:04:36
  Speaker 2: Just breathe, just imagine, and dream Breathe in God's peace
• 1:04:58
  Speaker 2: and breathe out your trub. Begin to close your eyes
• 1:05:03
  Speaker 2: and relax. Just soak in God's presence and get comfortable.
• 1:05:10
  Speaker 2: Just begin to drift off. And if you fall asleep
• 1:05:14
  Speaker 2: before I finish, all the better. God is present while
• 1:05:18
  Speaker 2: you dream too. And now as we begin the time,
• 1:05:23
  Speaker 2: join me in a moment of opening prayer. Dear God,
• 1:05:28
  Speaker 2: fill my heart and mind fresh with your presence and
• 1:05:32
  Speaker 2: your peace as I sleep. May your Holy Spirit guide
• 1:05:37
  Speaker 2: my dreams, transform my mind, my spirit, and my soul,
• 1:05:43
  Speaker 2: just as you transformed Paul. Open my eyes to see
• 1:05:48
  Speaker 2: the world as you see it, full of love and
• 1:05:51
  Speaker 2: beauty and joy. You were faithful to Paul, and I
• 1:05:56
  Speaker 2: believe you'll be faithful to me as well. So now
• 1:06:01
  Speaker 2: renew me as I rest in You bring me joy
• 1:06:05
  Speaker 2: and strength for tomorrow in Jesus name. Amen. Now, with
• 1:06:12
  Speaker 2: your eyes closed, your body at rest, and your mind peaceful,
• 1:06:17
  Speaker 2: begin to imagine living in first century Damascus. It's about
• 1:06:23
  Speaker 2: a five day journey north of Jerusalem. You are a
• 1:06:28
  Speaker 2: Jewish believer living there in relative peace, but you've heard
• 1:06:33
  Speaker 2: stories of persecution coming from Jerusalem. In particular, you've heard
• 1:06:40
  Speaker 2: of the brutal atrocities that this Jewish scholar named Saul
• 1:06:45
  Speaker 2: has been committing on your fellow brothers and sisters following Jesus.
• 1:06:50
  Speaker 2: Even now you can hear their cries of pain as
• 1:06:55
  Speaker 2: they are beaten for their belief. Specific imagine this from
• 1:07:02
  Speaker 2: the point of view of Anonius. You are a devout
• 1:07:07
  Speaker 2: man according to the law. You have a great reputation
• 1:07:11
  Speaker 2: among the other Jews living in Damascus. But they sense
• 1:07:16
  Speaker 2: something new and fresh and hopeful about your life. God
• 1:07:22
  Speaker 2: has transformed you and opened your eyes to the teachings
• 1:07:26
  Speaker 2: of Jesus. You often wonder why can't all believe? Your
• 1:07:32
  Speaker 2: heart is burdened? You remember your life before you put
• 1:07:36
  Speaker 2: your trust in Jesus. Jesus has transformed your soul. How
• 1:07:42
  Speaker 2: does it feel to know you have been changed? Rest
• 1:07:46
  Speaker 2: here in the sweet memory of the gift of faith
• 1:07:50
  Speaker 2: that God gave you to have faith how your life
• 1:07:54
  Speaker 2: has transformed. For a moment you rest in that tranquil
• 1:08:02
  Speaker 2: space where every thought you have is aligned with Gods.
• 1:08:07
  Speaker 2: But then reality starts to see back in. You've heard
• 1:08:12
  Speaker 2: reports that Saul has received letters from the High Priest
• 1:08:17
  Speaker 2: addressed to the synagogues there in Damascus. The letters ask
• 1:08:22
  Speaker 2: for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of
• 1:08:26
  Speaker 2: the way that he finds followers like you, cooperation to
• 1:08:32
  Speaker 2: bring you and your friends back to Jerusalem in chains,
• 1:08:37
  Speaker 2: heavy cold chains, dragging the ground and dragging you with them.
• 1:08:46
  Speaker 2: How will they feel around your wrists and ankles, maybe
• 1:08:50
  Speaker 2: around your neck. You just know Saul is coming for
• 1:08:54
  Speaker 2: you and your friends, But there is something you don't know.
• 1:08:59
  Speaker 2: Saul is already here, but something has changed. As Saul
• 1:09:07
  Speaker 2: was approaching Damascus on his mission three days ago, a
• 1:09:12
  Speaker 2: light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell
• 1:09:17
  Speaker 2: to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul,
• 1:09:21
  Speaker 2: why are you persecuting me? The voice said, I am Jesus,
• 1:09:28
  Speaker 2: the one you are persecuting. The light in the voice
• 1:09:33
  Speaker 2: of Jesus blinded him. His traveling companions led Saul by
• 1:09:39
  Speaker 2: the hand into Damascus, right down the street from you.
• 1:09:45
  Speaker 2: But you don't know that yet. For now, you seek sleep,
• 1:09:51
  Speaker 2: peace and safety. You dream of light transforming light. Rest
• 1:10:00
  Speaker 2: for a moment, just breathe in trust from God, let
• 1:10:05
  Speaker 2: the Holy Spirit fill you with faith, and then breathe
• 1:10:10
  Speaker 2: out and release your worries. Rest now in God's arms,
• 1:10:20
  Speaker 2: as you dream, you hear a whisper. It's like nothing
• 1:10:24
  Speaker 2: you've ever felt or heard before. It echoes in your heart.
• 1:10:28
  Speaker 2: It sounds strangely familiar to your soul. The whisper becomes
• 1:10:33
  Speaker 2: a vision calling your name, Anonius. It's the Lord. Breathless
• 1:10:41
  Speaker 2: for a moment, you humbly respond yes. The Lord tells
• 1:10:45
  Speaker 2: you go over to the straight street to the House
• 1:10:50
  Speaker 2: of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man
• 1:10:54
  Speaker 2: from Tarsus named Saul. He is afraid, he is blind.
• 1:11:00
  Speaker 2: He is praying to me right now, and I have
• 1:11:04
  Speaker 2: shown him a vision of you coming in and laying
• 1:11:07
  Speaker 2: hands on him so he can see again. You are
• 1:11:12
  Speaker 2: shocked and muster the courage to challenge the Lord's plan.
• 1:11:17
  Speaker 2: But Lord, you say, I've heard many people talk about
• 1:11:22
  Speaker 2: the terrible things this man has done to the believers
• 1:11:25
  Speaker 2: in Jerusalem. The High Priest has authorized him to arrest
• 1:11:30
  Speaker 2: everyone like me who calls upon your name. But the
• 1:11:34
  Speaker 2: Lord tells you, Ananias, go for Saul is my chosen
• 1:11:40
  Speaker 2: instrument to take my message to the gentiles and to
• 1:11:44
  Speaker 2: the kings, as well as to the people of all
• 1:11:47
  Speaker 2: of Israel. And I will show him how much he
• 1:11:50
  Speaker 2: must suffer for my Name's sake. That is truly radical transformation.
• 1:11:58
  Speaker 2: What God has done in you your heart, has he
• 1:12:01
  Speaker 2: done in sauls too. As God has chosen you. As
• 1:12:06
  Speaker 2: He chosen Saul. Imagine the power of God to change
• 1:12:11
  Speaker 2: the heart of a man like Saul. If God can
• 1:12:14
  Speaker 2: save Saul, who can't he save? How does that sudden
• 1:12:20
  Speaker 2: realization bring you even closer to God? Right now? Just
• 1:12:24
  Speaker 2: rest there for another moment, Breathe in trust from God,
• 1:12:31
  Speaker 2: let the Holy Spirit fill you with faith, and then
• 1:12:35
  Speaker 2: breathe out and release your worries. Rest here even longer
• 1:12:41
  Speaker 2: in God's arms, as if you had a choice. You
• 1:12:49
  Speaker 2: leave the relative comfort of your home and walk down
• 1:12:52
  Speaker 2: Straight Street to the home of Judas. Every step you
• 1:12:57
  Speaker 2: take is measured, feel the rocky soil, your sandals dragging
• 1:13:03
  Speaker 2: across the stone streets. You've agreed to go, but you
• 1:13:08
  Speaker 2: are in no hurry, your eyes watching the children playing
• 1:13:12
  Speaker 2: in the street. The smell of the meal floats from
• 1:13:16
  Speaker 2: an open window. You wave at friends as you walk
• 1:13:19
  Speaker 2: down Straight Street, taking your time. When you finally get there,
• 1:13:26
  Speaker 2: you knock and the door slowly opens. You step from
• 1:13:31
  Speaker 2: the brightness into the darkness of Judas's home. Once inside,
• 1:13:38
  Speaker 2: your eyes begin to adjust, and you ask for the
• 1:13:41
  Speaker 2: man from Tarsus named Saul you were taking in to
• 1:13:46
  Speaker 2: see him. He isn't what you imagined. He isn't the
• 1:13:51
  Speaker 2: monster you imagined. He almost seems afraid, and he is
• 1:13:56
  Speaker 2: definitely praying with his eyes lifted heavenward. You can see
• 1:14:02
  Speaker 2: he's blind. The scales are apparent. He stops his prayer
• 1:14:07
  Speaker 2: for a moment. He seems to since you were there,
• 1:14:12
  Speaker 2: almost as though he was expecting you. You walk over
• 1:14:16
  Speaker 2: and lay your hands on him and say, brother Saul, Ah.
• 1:14:21
  Speaker 2: The words just stick in your throat for a moment,
• 1:14:25
  Speaker 2: but then you feel peace. Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus
• 1:14:32
  Speaker 2: who appeared to you on the road has sent me
• 1:14:36
  Speaker 2: so that you might regain your sight and be filled
• 1:14:39
  Speaker 2: with the Holy Spirit. And then instantly, something like scales
• 1:14:45
  Speaker 2: fall from Saul's eyes. Dead scaly skin falls to the ground.
• 1:14:52
  Speaker 2: Saul looks at you and blinks. He has regained his sight.
• 1:14:59
  Speaker 2: You help him up, and you walk outside together from
• 1:15:03
  Speaker 2: the darkness into the light. Now, Brothers in Christ, you
• 1:15:09
  Speaker 2: walk together down straight street to find a stream or
• 1:15:13
  Speaker 2: a pond or a river, some place, any place where
• 1:15:17
  Speaker 2: you can baptize your new brother in Christ, Paul. At
• 1:15:22
  Speaker 2: this moment you fade from the story, and we hear
• 1:15:27
  Speaker 2: of you no more. Your role was small but significant. Perhaps,
• 1:15:33
  Speaker 2: like Anonius, you have wavered when you heard God speaking
• 1:15:37
  Speaker 2: to you. Or perhaps the Holy Spirit has given you
• 1:15:41
  Speaker 2: the strength to be faithful and obedient. God can make
• 1:15:46
  Speaker 2: a small act of obedience from a transformed heart, bring
• 1:15:51
  Speaker 2: a great harvest. God transformed Annius, e changed Paul, and
• 1:16:00
  Speaker 2: he redeemed you. His ways can seem confusing at times,
• 1:16:06
  Speaker 2: But now as you sleep, whisper a prayer of reliance
• 1:16:10
  Speaker 2: on Him, on his word, on his voice, and trust
• 1:16:15
  Speaker 2: that He has transformed you and will not lead you astray.
• 1:16:22
  Speaker 2: As you rest, may you be blessed by the living
• 1:16:26
  Speaker 2: God that transforms. May the Holy Spirit guide your dreams.
• 1:16:32
  Speaker 2: Let me pray for you now as you fall asleep,
• 1:16:36
  Speaker 2: Oh peaceful and Loving Father, Be merciful to this one,
• 1:16:40
  Speaker 2: o God, because of your constant love, because of your
• 1:16:44
  Speaker 2: great mercy, wipe away their sins, wash away all evil,
• 1:16:50
  Speaker 2: and make them clean from their sin. To night to night,
• 1:16:54
  Speaker 2: let them hear the sounds of joy and gladness. Create
• 1:16:58
  Speaker 2: in them tonight a your heart, O God, give them
• 1:17:02
  Speaker 2: again the joy that comes from your salvation. God, grant
• 1:17:07
  Speaker 2: this one peace so that they can sleep soundlessly and
• 1:17:12
  Speaker 2: awaken with a renewed spirit, ready to face the day ahead.
• 1:17:16
  Speaker 2: In Jesus' name, Amen, So continue to pace your breathing.
• 1:17:22
  Speaker 2: Now as you continue to rest in the presence of God.
• 1:17:28
  Speaker 2: Just breathe, just imagine and dream. Breathe in God's peace
• 1:17:48
  Speaker 2: and breathe out your troubles. Begin to close your eyes
• 1:17:53
  Speaker 2: and relax. Just soak in God's presence and get comfortable.
• 1:18:00
  Speaker 2: Just begin to drift off. And if you fall asleep
• 1:18:04
  Speaker 2: before I finish, all the better. God is present while
• 1:18:08
  Speaker 2: you dream too. And now as we begin the time,
• 1:18:12
  Speaker 2: join me in a moment of opening prayer. Dear God,
• 1:18:18
  Speaker 2: fill my heart and mind fresh with your presence and
• 1:18:22
  Speaker 2: your peace as I sleep. May your Holy spirit guide
• 1:18:27
  Speaker 2: my dreams, transform my mind, my spirit, and my soul,
• 1:18:33
  Speaker 2: just as you transformed Paul. Open my eyes to see
• 1:18:38
  Speaker 2: the world as you see it, full of love and
• 1:18:41
  Speaker 2: beauty and joy. You were faithful to Paul, and I
• 1:18:46
  Speaker 2: believe you'll be faithful to me as well. So now
• 1:18:51
  Speaker 2: renew me as I rest in You bring me joy
• 1:18:55
  Speaker 2: and strength for tomorrow. In Jesus name. Now with your
• 1:19:02
  Speaker 2: eyes closed, your body at rest, and your mind peaceful.
• 1:19:07
  Speaker 2: Begin to imagine living in first century Damascus. It's about
• 1:19:13
  Speaker 2: a five day journey north of Jerusalem. You are a
• 1:19:18
  Speaker 2: Jewish believer living there in relative peace. But you've heard
• 1:19:23
  Speaker 2: stories of persecution coming from Jerusalem. In particular, you've heard
• 1:19:30
  Speaker 2: of the brutal atrocities that this Jewish scholar named Saul
• 1:19:35
  Speaker 2: has been committing on your fellow brothers and sisters following Jesus.
• 1:19:40
  Speaker 2: Even now you can hear their cries of pain as
• 1:19:45
  Speaker 2: they are beaten for their belief. Specifically, Now imagine this
• 1:19:51
  Speaker 2: from the point of view of Anonius. You are a
• 1:19:56
  Speaker 2: devout man according to the law. You have a great
• 1:20:00
  Speaker 2: reputation among the other Jews living in Damascus. But they
• 1:20:05
  Speaker 2: sense something new and fresh and hopeful about your life.
• 1:20:11
  Speaker 2: God has transformed you and opened your eyes to the
• 1:20:15
  Speaker 2: teachings of Jesus. You often wonder why can't all believe?
• 1:20:22
  Speaker 2: Your heart is burdened? You remember your life before you
• 1:20:26
  Speaker 2: put your trust in Jesus. Jesus has transformed your soul.
• 1:20:31
  Speaker 2: How does it feel to know you have been changed?
• 1:20:36
  Speaker 2: Rest here in the sweet memory of the gift of
• 1:20:40
  Speaker 2: faith that God gave you to have faith how your
• 1:20:44
  Speaker 2: life has transformed. For a moment you rest in that
• 1:20:51
  Speaker 2: tranquil space where every thought you have is aligned with God's.
• 1:20:57
  Speaker 2: But then reality starts to say, see back in. You've
• 1:21:02
  Speaker 2: heard reports that Saul has received letters from the High
• 1:21:05
  Speaker 2: Priest addressed to the synagogues there in Damascus. The letters
• 1:21:12
  Speaker 2: ask for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers
• 1:21:16
  Speaker 2: of the way that he finds followers like you, cooperation
• 1:21:22
  Speaker 2: to bring you and your friends back to Jerusalem in chains,
• 1:21:27
  Speaker 2: heavy cold chains, dragging the ground and dragging you with them.
• 1:21:35
  Speaker 2: How will they feel around your wrists and ankles, maybe
• 1:21:40
  Speaker 2: around your neck. You just know Saul is coming for
• 1:21:44
  Speaker 2: you and your friends, but there is something you don't know.
• 1:21:49
  Speaker 2: Saul is already here, but something has changed. As Saul
• 1:21:57
  Speaker 2: was approaching Damascus on his mission three days ago, a
• 1:22:01
  Speaker 2: light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell
• 1:22:06
  Speaker 2: to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul,
• 1:22:11
  Speaker 2: why are you persecuting me? The voice said, I am Jesus,
• 1:22:18
  Speaker 2: the one you are persecuting. The light in the voice
• 1:22:23
  Speaker 2: of Jesus blinded him. His traveling companions led Saul by
• 1:22:29
  Speaker 2: the hand into Damascus, right down the street from you,
• 1:22:35
  Speaker 2: But you don't know that yet. For now, you seek sleep,
• 1:22:41
  Speaker 2: peace and safety. You dream of light, transforming light. So
• 1:22:49
  Speaker 2: rest for a moment. Just breathe in trust from God,
• 1:22:55
  Speaker 2: let the Holy Spirit fill you with faith, and then
• 1:23:00
  Speaker 2: reade out and release your worries. Rest now in God's arms.
• 1:23:10
  Speaker 2: As you dream, you hear a whisper. It's like nothing
• 1:23:13
  Speaker 2: you've ever felt or heard before. It echoes in your heart.
• 1:23:18
  Speaker 2: It sounds strangely familiar to your soul. The whisper becomes
• 1:23:23
  Speaker 2: a vision calling your name, Anonius, It's the Lord. Breathless
• 1:23:31
  Speaker 2: for a moment, you humbly respond yes. The Lord tells
• 1:23:35
  Speaker 2: you go over to the straight street to the House
• 1:23:40
  Speaker 2: of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man
• 1:23:44
  Speaker 2: from Tarsus named Saul. He is afraid. He is blind.
• 1:23:50
  Speaker 2: He is praying to me right now, and I have
• 1:23:54
  Speaker 2: shown him a vision of you coming in and laying
• 1:23:57
  Speaker 2: hands on him so he can see again. You are
• 1:24:02
  Speaker 2: shocked and muster the courage to challenge the Lord's plan.
• 1:24:07
  Speaker 2: But Lord, you say, I've heard many people talk about
• 1:24:12
  Speaker 2: the terrible things this man has done to the believers
• 1:24:15
  Speaker 2: in Jerusalem. The High Priest has authorized him to arrest
• 1:24:20
  Speaker 2: everyone like me who calls upon your name. But the
• 1:24:24
  Speaker 2: Lord tells you, Ananias, go for Saul is my chosen
• 1:24:29
  Speaker 2: instrument to take my message to the gentiles and to
• 1:24:34
  Speaker 2: the kings, as well as to the people of all
• 1:24:37
  Speaker 2: of Israel. And I will show him how much he
• 1:24:40
  Speaker 2: must suffer for my name's sake. That is truly radical transformation.
• 1:24:48
  Speaker 2: What God has done in your heart has he done
• 1:24:51
  Speaker 2: in Saul's too? As God has chosen you, as he
• 1:24:56
  Speaker 2: chosen Saul. Imagine the power of God to change the
• 1:25:01
  Speaker 2: heart of a man like Saul. If God can save Saul,
• 1:25:06
  Speaker 2: who can't he save? How does that sudden realization bring
• 1:25:11
  Speaker 2: you even closer to God? Right now? Just rest there
• 1:25:15
  Speaker 2: for another moment, Breathe in trust from God, let the
• 1:25:21
  Speaker 2: Holy Spirit fill you with faith, and then breathe out
• 1:25:26
  Speaker 2: and release your worries. Rest here even longer in God's arms.
• 1:25:37
  Speaker 2: As if you had a choice, You leave the relative
• 1:25:40
  Speaker 2: comfort of your home and walk down straight street to
• 1:25:43
  Speaker 2: the home of Judas every step you take is measured.
• 1:25:49
  Speaker 2: You feel the rocky soil, your sandals dragging across the
• 1:25:54
  Speaker 2: stone streets. You've agreed to go, but you are in
• 1:25:58
  Speaker 2: no hurry, your eyes watching the children playing in the street.
• 1:26:03
  Speaker 2: The smell of a meal floats from an open window.
• 1:26:08
  Speaker 2: You wave at friends as you walk down straight street,
• 1:26:11
  Speaker 2: taking your time. When you finally get there, you knock
• 1:26:17
  Speaker 2: and the door slowly opens. You step from the brightness
• 1:26:22
  Speaker 2: into the darkness of Judas's home. Once inside, your eyes
• 1:26:28
  Speaker 2: begin to adjust, and you ask for the man from
• 1:26:31
  Speaker 2: Tarsus named Saul you were taking in to see him.
• 1:26:38
  Speaker 2: He isn't what you imagined. He isn't the monster you imagined.
• 1:26:43
  Speaker 2: He almost seems afraid, and he is definitely praying. With
• 1:26:49
  Speaker 2: his eyes lifted heavenward. You can see he's blind. The
• 1:26:53
  Speaker 2: scales are apparent. He stops his prayer for a moment.
• 1:26:59
  Speaker 2: He seems since you were there, almost as though he
• 1:27:03
  Speaker 2: was expecting you. You walk over and lay your hands
• 1:27:07
  Speaker 2: on him and say, brother Saul, Ah. The words just
• 1:27:12
  Speaker 2: stick in your throat for a moment, but then you
• 1:27:15
  Speaker 2: feel peace. Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to
• 1:27:23
  Speaker 2: you on the road has sent me so that you
• 1:27:27
  Speaker 2: might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
• 1:27:32
  Speaker 2: And then instantly, something like scales fall from Saul's eyes,
• 1:27:37
  Speaker 2: dead scaly skin falls to the ground. Saul looks at
• 1:27:42
  Speaker 2: you and blinks. He has regained his sight. You help
• 1:27:49
  Speaker 2: him up, and you walk outside together, from the darkness
• 1:27:54
  Speaker 2: into the light. Now, brothers in Christ, you walk together
• 1:28:00
  Speaker 2: down straight street to find a stream or a pond
• 1:28:04
  Speaker 2: or a river, someplace, any place where you can baptize
• 1:28:08
  Speaker 2: your new brother in Christ, Paul. At this moment you
• 1:28:14
  Speaker 2: fade from the story, and we hear of you no more.
• 1:28:19
  Speaker 2: Your role was small but significant. Perhaps, like Ananius, you
• 1:28:25
  Speaker 2: have wavered when you heard God speaking to you. Or
• 1:28:28
  Speaker 2: perhaps the Holy Spirit has given you the strength to
• 1:28:32
  Speaker 2: be faithful and obedient. God can make a small act
• 1:28:37
  Speaker 2: of obedience from a transformed heart bring a great harvest.
• 1:28:44
  Speaker 2: God transformed Annius, he changed Paul, and he redeemed you.
• 1:28:53
  Speaker 2: His ways can seem confusing at times, But now as
• 1:28:57
  Speaker 2: you sleep, whisper a prayer of relying on Him, on
• 1:29:01
  Speaker 2: his word, on his voice, and trust that He has
• 1:29:05
  Speaker 2: transformed you and will not lead you astray. As you rest,
• 1:29:14
  Speaker 2: may you be blessed by the living God that transforms.
• 1:29:18
  Speaker 2: May the Holy Spirit guide your dreams. Let me pray
• 1:29:23
  Speaker 2: for you now as you fall asleep, Oh, peaceful and
• 1:29:27
  Speaker 2: Loving Father, Be merciful to this one, Oh God, because
• 1:29:31
  Speaker 2: of your constant love, because of your great mercy, wipe
• 1:29:36
  Speaker 2: away their sins, wash away all evil, and make them
• 1:29:40
  Speaker 2: clean from their sin. Tonight, tonight, let them hear the
• 1:29:45
  Speaker 2: sounds of joy and gladness. Create in them tonight a
• 1:29:49
  Speaker 2: pure heart. O God, give them again the joy that
• 1:29:53
  Speaker 2: comes from your salvation. God, grant this one peace so
• 1:29:59
  Speaker 2: that they can and sleep soundlessly and awaken with a
• 1:30:03
  Speaker 2: renewed spirit, ready to face the day ahead. In Jesus name, Amen,
• 1:30:10
  Speaker 2: So continue to pace your breathing now as you continue
• 1:30:14
  Speaker 2: to rest in the presence of God. Just breathe, just
• 1:30:21
  Speaker 2: imagine and dream. Breathe in God's peace and breathe out
• 1:30:39
  Speaker 2: your troubles. Begin to close your eyes and relax. Just
• 1:30:45
  Speaker 2: soak in God's presence and get comfortable. Just begin to
• 1:30:50
  Speaker 2: drift off. And if you fall asleep before I finish,
• 1:30:55
  Speaker 2: all the better. God is present while you dream too.
• 1:31:00
  Speaker 2: And now as we begin the time, join me in
• 1:31:03
  Speaker 2: a moment of opening prayer. Dear God, fill my heart
• 1:31:08
  Speaker 2: and mind fresh with your presence and your peace as
• 1:31:13
  Speaker 2: I sleep. May your Holy Spirit guide my dreams, transform
• 1:31:19
  Speaker 2: my mind, my spirit, and my soul, just as you
• 1:31:24
  Speaker 2: transformed Paul. Open my eyes to see the world as
• 1:31:29
  Speaker 2: you see it, full of love and beauty and joy.
• 1:31:34
  Speaker 2: You were faithful to Paul, and I believe you'll be
• 1:31:37
  Speaker 2: faithful to me as well. So now renew me as
• 1:31:42
  Speaker 2: I rest in You bring me joy and strength for
• 1:31:46
  Speaker 2: tomorrow in Jesus name. Amen. Now, with your eyes closed,
• 1:31:53
  Speaker 2: your body at rest, and your mind peaceful, begin to
• 1:31:57
  Speaker 2: imagine living in first century Damascus. It's about a five
• 1:32:03
  Speaker 2: day journey north of Jerusalem. You are a Jewish believer
• 1:32:09
  Speaker 2: living there in relative peace, but you've heard stories of
• 1:32:14
  Speaker 2: persecution coming from Jerusalem. In particular, you've heard of the
• 1:32:20
  Speaker 2: brutal atrocities that this Jewish scholar named Saul has been
• 1:32:25
  Speaker 2: committing on your fellow brothers and sisters following Jesus. Even now,
• 1:32:31
  Speaker 2: you can hear their cries of pain as they are
• 1:32:35
  Speaker 2: beaten for their belief. Specifically, Now imagine this from the
• 1:32:42
  Speaker 2: point of view of Anonius. You are a devout man
• 1:32:47
  Speaker 2: according to the law. You have a great reputation among
• 1:32:51
  Speaker 2: the other Jews living in Damascus. But they sense something
• 1:32:56
  Speaker 2: new and fresh and hopeful about your life life. God
• 1:33:01
  Speaker 2: has transformed you and opened your eyes to the teachings
• 1:33:05
  Speaker 2: of Jesus. You often wonder why can't all believe? Your
• 1:33:12
  Speaker 2: heart is burdened? You remember your life before you put
• 1:33:16
  Speaker 2: your trust in Jesus. Jesus has transformed your soul. How
• 1:33:21
  Speaker 2: does it feel to know you have been changed? Rest
• 1:33:26
  Speaker 2: here in the sweet memory of the gift of faith
• 1:33:30
  Speaker 2: that God gave you to have faith how your life
• 1:33:34
  Speaker 2: has transformed. For a moment you rest in that tranquil
• 1:33:42
  Speaker 2: space where every thought you have is aligned with God's.
• 1:33:47
  Speaker 2: But then reality starts to see back in. You've heard
• 1:33:52
  Speaker 2: reports that Saul has received letters from the High Priest
• 1:33:56
  Speaker 2: addressed to the synagogues there in Damascus. The letters ask
• 1:34:02
  Speaker 2: for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of
• 1:34:06
  Speaker 2: the way that he finds followers like you, co operation
• 1:34:12
  Speaker 2: to bring you and your friends back to Jerusalem in chains,
• 1:34:17
  Speaker 2: heavy cold chains, dragging the ground and dragging you with them.
• 1:34:25
  Speaker 2: How will they feel around your wrists and ankles, maybe
• 1:34:29
  Speaker 2: around your neck. You just know Saul is coming for
• 1:34:34
  Speaker 2: you and your friends, but there is something you don't know.
• 1:34:39
  Speaker 2: Saul is already here, but something has changed. As Saul
• 1:34:47
  Speaker 2: was approaching Damascus on his mission, three days ago, a
• 1:34:51
  Speaker 2: light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell
• 1:34:56
  Speaker 2: to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul,
• 1:35:01
  Speaker 2: why are you persecuting me? The voice said, I am Jesus,
• 1:35:08
  Speaker 2: the one you are persecuting. The light in the voice
• 1:35:13
  Speaker 2: of Jesus blinded him. His traveling companions led Saul by
• 1:35:19
  Speaker 2: the hand into Damascus, right down the street from you.
• 1:35:24
  Speaker 2: But you don't know that yet. For now you seek sleep,
• 1:35:30
  Speaker 2: peace and safety. You dream of light transforming light. So
• 1:35:39
  Speaker 2: rest for a moment. Just breathe in trust from God,
• 1:35:45
  Speaker 2: Let the Holy Spirit fill you with faith, and then
• 1:35:49
  Speaker 2: breathe out and release your worries. Rest now in God's arms.
• 1:36:00
  Speaker 2: As you dream, you hear a whisper. It's like nothing
• 1:36:03
  Speaker 2: you've ever felt or heard before. It echoes in your heart.
• 1:36:08
  Speaker 2: It sounds strangely familiar to your soul. The whisper becomes
• 1:36:13
  Speaker 2: a vision calling your name, Anonius, It's the Lord. Breathless
• 1:36:21
  Speaker 2: for a moment, you humbly respond yes. The Lord tells
• 1:36:25
  Speaker 2: you go over to the straight street, to the House
• 1:36:30
  Speaker 2: of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man
• 1:36:34
  Speaker 2: from Tarsus named Saul. He is afraid, he is blind,
• 1:36:40
  Speaker 2: he is praying to me right now, and I have
• 1:36:44
  Speaker 2: shown him a vision of you coming in and laying
• 1:36:47
  Speaker 2: hands on him so he can see again. You are
• 1:36:52
  Speaker 2: shocked and muster the courage to challenge the Lord's plan.
• 1:36:57
  Speaker 2: But Lord, you say, I've heard many people talk about
• 1:37:01
  Speaker 2: the terrible things this man has done to the believers
• 1:37:05
  Speaker 2: in Jerusalem. The High Priest has authorized him to arrest
• 1:37:09
  Speaker 2: everyone like me who calls upon your name. But the
• 1:37:14
  Speaker 2: Lord tells you, Ananias, go for Saul is my chosen
• 1:37:19
  Speaker 2: instrument to take my message to the gentiles and to
• 1:37:23
  Speaker 2: the kings, as well as to the people of all
• 1:37:26
  Speaker 2: of Israel. And I will show him how much he
• 1:37:30
  Speaker 2: must suffer for my name's sake. That is truly radical transformation.
• 1:37:38
  Speaker 2: What God has done in your heart has he done
• 1:37:41
  Speaker 2: in Saul's to as God has chosen you, as He
• 1:37:46
  Speaker 2: chosen Saul. Imagine the power of God to change the
• 1:37:51
  Speaker 2: heart of a man like Saul. If God can save Saul,
• 1:37:56
  Speaker 2: who can't he save? How does that sudden realization bring
• 1:38:01
  Speaker 2: you even closer to God? Right now? Just rest there
• 1:38:05
  Speaker 2: for another moment, breathe in trust from God, Let the
• 1:38:11
  Speaker 2: Holy Spirit fill you with faith, and then breathe out
• 1:38:16
  Speaker 2: and release your worries. Rest here even longer in God's arms,
• 1:38:26
  Speaker 2: as if you had a choice. You leave the relative
• 1:38:30
  Speaker 2: comfort of your home and walk down Straight Street to
• 1:38:33
  Speaker 2: the home of Judas. Every step you take is measured.
• 1:38:39
  Speaker 2: You feel the rocky soil, your sandals dragging across the
• 1:38:43
  Speaker 2: stone streets. You've agreed to go, but you are in
• 1:38:48
  Speaker 2: no hurry, your eyes watching the children playing in the street.
• 1:38:53
  Speaker 2: The smell of a meal floats from an open window.
• 1:38:57
  Speaker 2: You wave at friends as you walk down Eighth Street,
• 1:39:01
  Speaker 2: taking your time. When you finally get there, you knock
• 1:39:07
  Speaker 2: and the door slowly opens. You step from the brightness
• 1:39:12
  Speaker 2: into the darkness of Judas's home. Once inside, your eyes
• 1:39:18
  Speaker 2: begin to adjust and you ask for the man from
• 1:39:21
  Speaker 2: Tarsus named Saul you were taking in to see him.
• 1:39:27
  Speaker 2: He isn't what you imagined. He isn't the monster you imagined.
• 1:39:33
  Speaker 2: He almost seems afraid, and he is definitely praying. With
• 1:39:39
  Speaker 2: his eyes lifted heavenward. You can see he's blind. The
• 1:39:43
  Speaker 2: scales are apparent. He stops his prayer for a moment.
• 1:39:49
  Speaker 2: He seems to since you were there, almost as though
• 1:39:52
  Speaker 2: he was expecting you. You walk over and lay your
• 1:39:56
  Speaker 2: hands on him and say, brothers all Ah. The words
• 1:40:02
  Speaker 2: just stick in your throat for a moment, but then
• 1:40:05
  Speaker 2: you feel peace. Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared
• 1:40:13
  Speaker 2: to you on the road has sent me so that
• 1:40:16
  Speaker 2: you might regain your sight and be filled with the
• 1:40:19
  Speaker 2: Holy Spirit. And then instantly, something like scales fall from
• 1:40:25
  Speaker 2: Saul's eyes. Dead scaly skin falls to the ground. Saul
• 1:40:32
  Speaker 2: looks at you and blinks. He has regained his sight.
• 1:40:38
  Speaker 2: You help him up, and you walk outside together, from
• 1:40:43
  Speaker 2: the darkness into the light. Now, Brothers in Christ, you
• 1:40:49
  Speaker 2: walk together down straight street to find a stream or
• 1:40:53
  Speaker 2: a pond or a river, someplace, any place where you
• 1:40:57
  Speaker 2: can baptize your new brother in Christ, Paul. At this
• 1:41:02
  Speaker 2: moment you fade from the story and we hear of
• 1:41:07
  Speaker 2: you no more. Your roll was small but significant. Perhaps,
• 1:41:13
  Speaker 2: like Anonius, you have wavered when you heard God speaking
• 1:41:17
  Speaker 2: to you. Or perhaps the Holy Spirit has given you
• 1:41:21
  Speaker 2: the strength to be faithful and obedient. God can make
• 1:41:26
  Speaker 2: a small act of obedience from a transformed heart bring
• 1:41:31
  Speaker 2: a great harvest. God transformed Annius, he changed Paul, and
• 1:41:40
  Speaker 2: he redeemed you. His ways can seem confusing at times,
• 1:41:46
  Speaker 2: but now as you sleep, whisper a prayer of reliance
• 1:41:50
  Speaker 2: on Him, on his word, on his voice, and trust
• 1:41:55
  Speaker 2: that He has transformed you and will not lead you astray.
• 1:42:02
  Speaker 2: As you rest, may you be blessed by the Living
• 1:42:05
  Speaker 2: God that transforms. May the Holy Spirit guide your dreams.
• 1:42:12
  Speaker 2: Let me pray for you now as you fall asleep. Oh,
• 1:42:16
  Speaker 2: Peaceful and Loving Father, Be merciful to this one, O God,
• 1:42:21
  Speaker 2: because of your constant love, Because of your great mercy,
• 1:42:25
  Speaker 2: wipe away their sins, wash away all evil, and make
• 1:42:30
  Speaker 2: them clean from their sin. Tonight, tonight, let them hear
• 1:42:34
  Speaker 2: the sounds of joy and gladness. Create in them tonight
• 1:42:39
  Speaker 2: a pure heart, O God, give them again the joy
• 1:42:43
  Speaker 2: that comes from your salvation. God, grant this one peace
• 1:42:49
  Speaker 2: so that they can sleep soundlessly and awaken with a
• 1:42:53
  Speaker 2: renewed spirit, ready to face the day ahead. In Jesus name, Amen,
• 1:43:00
  Speaker 2: So continue to pace your breathing now as you continue
• 1:43:04
  Speaker 2: to rest in the presence of God. Just breathe, just imagine,
• 1:43:14
  Speaker 2: and dream.
• 1:43:22
  Speaker 1: We hope this meditation brought you peace. To listen to
• 1:43:26
  Speaker 1: the full collection of Biblical bedtime stories, download the Abide
• 1:43:30
  Speaker 1: app in the iTunes or Google Play Store.