The book Acts in the New Testament records the story of Paul's conversion. Before being chosen by the Lord, Saul who persecuted the church and killed Christians headed to Damascus to find Christians and take them as prisoners to Jerusalem under the hot sun. On the way there, Jesus revealed himself to Saul.
An international Christian leader shares the cost to receive the anointing of God from this story in a retreat held in a house church of Shanghai. He claims that there was a turning point when he was chosen, "heard a voice say to him" (Acts 9:4) He heard the voice and surrendered to it.
"We should recognize the voice of God." The speaker states, "When God speaks to us, 'Leave everything and go to the place where I want you to be,' we may dislike it, feel uncomfortable and find it difficult, saying, 'That is a voice from Satan' or 'Satan, don't talk about it.' ... But it is a voice of God."
Never Considering things from God are good. When Jesus appeared to Saul, he fell on the ground at first. If we are not ready to be broken when the voice of God comes to us, we will be rarely blessed and even not blessed. "It pays the price when I receive anointing and God's power comes down."
He explains the price to be paid on three aspects:
Believe in God
When Jesus revealed himself to Saul, "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. (Acts 9:5-7)
At that time those men with him could only hear the sound while not see what Saul saw. "Maybe many people can't see the promise God gives to you and think you're mad or crazy when God choose or use and appoint you. Then you should trust God."
"Suppose you're the only one who is able to see that vision while people around you claim, "This won't happen on you." What will you do? When the vision from God is shown to us and we see that, he indicates us, expecting our obedience...When God tells us to move, don't delay and go." Jesus told Saul to go into the city and he would be told what he might do. Later he called Ananias to find Saul and place his hands on the man to restore his sight in a vision.
We can know the way of God's work from here. "We will face such situation after hearing God's voice and accept God's word; Someone will come to us and we will confirm the vision from God from them."
Submit to God
"Submit to whatever God says."
When the Lord ordered Ananias to find Saul on Straight Street, Ananias answered, "Lord,I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name." (Acts 9:13-14)
"I learn a lesson from my ministry that never attempt to teach God. Don't teach God what to do, 'Lord, you know that he was a lazy man', 'Lord, you know that Saul killed Christians'... The Lord knows all the things, so sumbit yourself to God instead of teaching him."
Hungry hearts
"Some may claim that 'You don't look like a person anointed by God' when God choose us, but we needn't appear being anointed. One thing we need to do before God is the hunger of the presence of God."
Christians need to desire God, eager to serve this true God, hungry for his love and presence. "The power of God is actually awesome. Nothing is more beautiful than his presence. Satan is able to imitate some miraculous signs without one thing--- God's presence."
"But 'God's presence' touches us at a deeper level. He changes our pattern and renews our life. When we feel tired with our current life, let's return to God, the source, and God will lead and help us. "
"We want to know God. When we know the source of blessings, we will truly know he is our source. With his presence we don't need to ask blessings for blessings come naturally." The speaker concludes.
Translated by Karen Luo
