Acts 22:6-10 – About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ “ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. “ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. “ ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. “ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.
Have you ever been knocked OFF your COURSE? For Paul, it happened suddenly; everything shifted in a moment! To gain Saul’s attention, God darkened his world, bringing into focus the ONLY light that he needed, JESUS CHRIST, HIMSELF!
This story fascinates me! It portrays beautifully how the mercy and love of God chases humanity down and intervenes on its behalf! Second chances were birthed on the CROSS!
The first and most beautiful time I’ve been knocked off my course was when God radically saved me in high school. My life was headed down a path that was not good, and if it had not been for the grace and salvation of God redirecting me, I could have been separated from Him for eternity! That reality burdens me to live my life with a compelling compassion to run after the LOST!
There are still multitudes of people who need a road to Damascus encounter with God. God is just looking for laborers willing to take them by the hand and lead them out of the darkness!
“Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop, within a yard of hell.” –C.T. Studd
Just 12 years ago, Mike and I were knocked off course when we began Coreluv International. Caring for orphans was not on our radar, but it was on GOD’S! Saying YES to defend the orphan has been one of the most beautiful, wildest journeys we’ve taken!
Here we are in 2024, and yet again, God’s course-altering light is shining down — opening our eyes to those in great spiritual and physical need right here in our own city (Houston, Texas.) As we speak, we are in the process of relocating our Coreluv headquarters to the Third Ward of Houston, where we will be launching Nations House of Prayer, a missions base and local arm of Coreluv, and a discipleship training school.
May God lead us to intersect those on dark Damascus roads desperate for a route HOME!
With Jesus at the CENTER, we’re anticipating a wild and glorious ride!
A walk through the Bible in 2024,
Heart of Nations House of Prayer,
-Mandy Reiszner