Pastor's Note: Pastor Shane recommends you to read Part 1 of this devotion first. [Click Here for Part I] | [Click Here for Part II]

Scripture Reading: Acts 9:19-25

Acts 9:19-25 says: 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

This week we will conclude our three-part devotional on "Hospitality." Here we see where they have finally made it to the church at Damascus. Verse 24 says that the Jewish enemies were watching the gate around the clock in an attempt to catch Saul. Then verse 25 reads, "Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket."

Friends, this is a reminder that things in the church do have their challenges. Here we see that they held the rope for Saul and that is what we must do with newcomers who come into the church. Saul needed an escape from Damascus because his very own life was in jeopardy.

Something I have had a hard time grasping and I have seen with my own eyes is why so many churches would rather die than try something new to reach out and serve more people. Many churches have a mentality that people can either adapt to their ways or go somewhere else. I believe that churches can be both flexible and faithful at the same time in reaching people.

In our community, we have a ministry called Ocoee Outreach that goes out into low-income areas and host a multitude of outreach events throughout the year here in our own Jerusalem. Praise God, our church does the same thing and we reach a lot of kids and people through these ministries. There are groups that I have supported that go into the prisons, such as Rock of Ages, and attempt to preach the gospel and see lives changed.

The greatest challenges most of these type ministries have is getting the kids and adults connected. I have heard stories where people within churches said they would rather have no kids than to have kids who may cause a disruption or disturbance to the things within their church.

Many years ago I was asked to help with a fifth and sixth-grade Vacation Bible School at one particular church. I opened about $5 worth of material and the VBS director got mad and made the statement, she was not really hopeful for any kids in that age group and had planned to already take the materials back.

We must be in constant prayer for new believers and newcomers. We must welcome and encourage newcomers to help them along in their Christian walk and a new journey in life. The new people who are around us, need our support.

The enemy is lurking around trying to destroy and prey people in the wrong direction. As a church, we should always have the welcome mat at the door welcoming anybody who wants to serve Jesus into our fellowship. The church is not some gated community. The doors of every church should always be open welcoming people to come and hear the good news of Jesus. May we learn from the book of Acts on how to be welcoming as this early church did? Amen!

Devotional Questions:

--Read Acts chapter 9.
--What do we read that the Lord said to Paul at his conversion?
--How long was Paul blind?
--How does Anania's minister to Saul in this passage?
--Should we minister the same way?
--When should we start sharing the good news of Christ to other people?
--What came out of Saul's conversion?
--Will you tell someone about Jesus this week?

Disclaimer: Pastor Shane's devotions are written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God and are never intended to be directed toward any one individual or group or any particular situation. These daily devotions are sent to thousands of subscribers through different mediums and is intended to proclaim truths from the Word of God. Thank you for taking the time to read and please continue to pray for wisdom as Pastor Shane's heart is to write in a spirit of love and to bring life application for every day living to those who are reading. ~Blessings!