158th BDS – 4/17/2025

Scripture Reference: Acts 9:3-16, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Isaiah 43:1

Well now, I know that there are many like me that have genuine testimonies of how far GOD has brought you from. Yes, I’m talking to you! The one that people said was a hopeless cause, the one that people said would never do much in life, the one that has messed up way more than you can count, and the one that people said that GOD would never use!!! Well now, there is this thing called “REDEMPTION”, have you heard of it? No, this isn’t like when you go to Starbucks and redeem your points for your favorite latte, or redeem your offer for free guacamole at Chipotle. Oh no, I’m talking about being redeemed from a life of sin by the Blood of The Lamb, our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!!! As we will see in the Holy Scriptures, the one who called himself as and confessed that he was the “Chief of Sinners” openly stated on several occasions just how lost that he was in sinful ways, until he met The LORD on the Road to Damascus. However, his destiny much like yours was not to remain that way…

So, let’s dive in!!!

“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭3‬-‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Saul, who became the Apostle Paul after The LORD changed his name, was on his way to gather more Believers in CHRIST JESUS to be persecuted when he had an encounter that changed the course of his life forever.(Acts 9:1-2) He had a conversation with The LORD wherein he was asked why was he causing harm against the very Father Who created him. He was blinded and instructed by The LORD to get up and go forward into a place where he would receive orders on what to do next.

“And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.” Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As the Scriptures read, those that were with Saul couldn’t believe what they had clearly heard which was to them the voice of a man yet they never saw one. Those that were with Saul had to literally help him up off of the ground because Saul himself no longer had vision in his eyes. Saul went three days blind and without any food and without having anything to drink.

“And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The LORD gave instructions to one of His disciples (or a dedicated follower) named Ananias to go to a certain house where he himself would meet Saul. The LORD had caused Saul to see a vision while he prayed of Ananias who would come into the very house where he was and upon touching him, Saul then would regain the ability to see.

“Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Ananias responded to what The LORD had told him to do, by recounting to The LORD what He already knew about Saul. In his disbelief, Ananias told the LORD of all the horrible things that Saul had done to those who were as he was, a follower of CHRIST and of the power that Saul had been given from those who were enemies of the people of GOD to find them and to capture as many as he could.

“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Aren’t we so glad that our GOD doesn’t have the mind of mere mortals? The LORD answered him by telling him to simply follow the directive that He had given to him to do. You see, Saul was chosen, handpicked to be used by Him to proclaim His Name to all manner of men and also that Saul would have to endure hardships just for His Name alone.(2 Timothy 2:3)

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” 1 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ KJV

Now the Apostle Paul and no longer known as Saul of Tarsus, at every opportunity talked about our Savior CHRIST JESUS and how through everlasting mercy on his life, GOD had chosen him though he suffered greatly as an example for all Believers to follow after for generations to come so that they too may believe in our LORD and choose eternal life with Him.

Final Thought: “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This a faithful saying from our One True and Living GOD, The Father of All Creation to us all, who believe. There is absolutely zero need to be afraid of your past, absolutely zero reason to allow anything that you have done to haunt you, absolutely zero reason to give an ear to those who would much rather see you remain the back side of their ignorant opinions of you and absolutely zero reason that you should forfeit your given destiny in GOD through CHRIST JESUS.. because as you live and breathe from day to day, you are NEVER TOO FAR GONE!!!

-Minister Marchand, Founder and Overseer of JESUS IS GLOBAL MINISTRIES-JIGM and JESUS IS GLOBAL MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY-JIGMIA