Today is the Day

March 17, 2025

Chaplain LaVina “Viny” Burns

Today we heard a great message. As Pastor Ronny talked about a young man years ago in prison, I sat in awe. Pastor Ronny was a young preacher. He ministered to inmates at a prison. A prisoner, who had to be separated from the rest of the housed, would get as close to the group listening to the Gospel as he could. There he learned that God loved him and was a forgiving Savior! Years later, Pastor Ronny was preaching at a church. A man to him and shared how, because of listening to the Gospel, he turned his life to Christ. Now he was a Deputy Sheriff, and he came to thank the man that shared Jesus.

A friend reminded Jim and me last evening that no one is exempt from being able to be forgiven by the Blood of Christ and could be used in a mighty way in service to Jesus. The example our friend shared was the story of Saul of Tarsus, a great and feared persecutor of Christians. (Acts 8 – Paul oversaw the stoning of Stephen, a true witness for Jesus Christ). The hatefulness of Saul towards Christians was overwhelming. In fact, as a “Prize”, if you killed the Christian, you would have your cloak brought to Saul and you would be praised. Saul of Tarsus was known for hundreds of deaths of Christians, maybe a mass murderer?? Please read Acts 7:34-40.

Was that being “Too Bad” to be kept from the Saving Grace of Blood of Christ? NO!! Jesus said in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance.” Does that include a man like Saul of Tarsus?

In Acts 9:1-5, we see Saul in his continuance to persecute the Christians. However, on his way to Damascus an interesting thing happened to him. Read with me:

1) “Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

2) and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”

Now this is interesting:

3) “As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.

4) Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

5) And he said, “Who are You, Lord?””

Did you notice Saul calls the voice, “Lord”. He knew who he was speaking to. It is amazing that those that call themselves Atheists, or anti-God, etc., know very well that HE, God Almighty, is LORD! I LOVE it!

11) “So the Lord said to him (Ananias), “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. (I think of the verse, Matthew 7:14, “Straight is the gate and narrow is the way…”)

12) And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

13) Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.

14) And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

15) But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

16) For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

My precious friend, if you were to compare your sins to those of Saul, you might say, “Wow, I am nothing like that!” But sin is sin! Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned (“all” means ALL of us!) and have fallen short of the Glory of God.” That means, NONE of us have the right to be One with God because of our sins. However, Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death (we deserve death because of any sin we have committed, and we have ALL committed sin!) but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” PRAISE GOD! We can ALL receive the FREE gift of God – that is His Son’s forgiveness because of the death on the cross. His blood covers our sins when we ask Him to forgive us. He is excited to forgive and receive us into the family of God. Please believe the Word of God and do what it tells you!

John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world (you and me) that He gave His only begotten (so loved) Son. That whosoever believeth on Him, should not die (be forever separated from God through eternity) but have everlasting life.” (Eternity in Heaven!)

17) For God did not send His Son to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.”

God’s purpose was to save EVERYONE! He is not willing that ANYONE perish and be forever separated from Him. So, please, if you have not given your life to Jesus. “Today is the day of salvation!” 2 Corinthians 6:2