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March 25, 2024

What Happened on the Road to Damascus

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Read Acts 26:12-18.

On the third day, Jesus walked out of His borrowed garden tomb, alive and well. The religious tried to stop the resurrection with seals and stones and soldiers. It didn’t matter; Jesus rose from the dead all the same.

Even so, opposition to the resurrection power of Jesus continued. Religious authorities, political leaders, and others tried to silence Jesus’ followers and put a stop to the spread of the Gospel. One such enemy of Christ was a young Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus. He rose to prominence and found a measure of fame because of his hate for Christian believers who kept on proclaiming the resurrection. He intimidated the believers, imprisoned many, and even oversaw the murder of a deacon in the church at Jerusalem named Stephen.

Saul was determined to stamp out Christianity, not just in Jerusalem but across the whole region. With permission from the high priest, he pursued believers all the way to the city of Damascus in Syria—a long way away.

However, all was not as it seemed. Inside Saul of Tarsus a war was raging. In fact, his outward resistance to the resurrection can only be explained by his inward struggle. Jesus knew this, and so while Saul was traveling to Damascus, the Lord blinded the young Pharisee and spoke to him: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14). Saul was hurting himself with his hatred of the resurrection, so Jesus, in His mercy, stopped Saul in his tracks so that he could change course for good.

You see, prior to that divinely appointed day, Saul had wanted his religion to seal his heart from the resurrected Jesus. He had tried to fortify his heart with his false religion and religious activities. He attempted to muffle the voice of the resurrected Jesus with his good deeds. But finally, when faced with the Truth—Truth he could no longer deny—he had to submit; he had to surrender.

When Saul met the risen Christ, he couldn’t resist asking, “Who are You, Lord?” You can ask that same question, and the Lord will answer you. You will never find real peace of mind—you will never experience true freedom from sin and guilt and shame and addiction or be assured of eternity in heaven—until you submit to the risen Lord. Don’t put it off. Right now could be your Damascus Road moment!

Prayer: Jesus, I want You to be King of my life. I don’t want to fight against Your perfect will for me. Empower me by Your Spirit to live as a citizen of Your heavenly Kingdom today for Your glory and the blessing of those in my midst. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads’” (Acts 26:14).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Stopping the Resurrection?LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW

What awaits the believer after this life? And how does our eternal future impact our lives today? In his new book Heaven Awaits, Dr. Michael Youssef dispels misconceptions about the believer’s eternal home and articulates the blessings, majesty, and reality of heaven as displayed in Scripture. As you dig into God’s promises for your future in Christ, you’ll be lifted up and empowered to persevere today with joy in your hope that will never disappoint. Pre-order your copy today for your gift of any amount! *Offer valid in US, UK, and Canada through May 31, 2024. The book will ship upon its release in early May.

Leading The Way’s daily MY Devotional is also available as a podcast—listen today on your favorite podcast platform!


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We are Leading The Way for people living in spiritual darkness, at home and around the world, to discover the light of Christ as we passionately proclaim uncompromising Truth. Visit us today at LeadingTheWay.org.

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Is there something more than this life? In his NEW book Heaven Awaits, pastor and bestselling author Dr. Michael Youssef guides you through exactly what the Bible says about heaven. Get a glimpse of the wonders and glories that await believers in Christ, including 9 blessings of heaven, 8 facets of heaven’s beauty, 10 benefits of heaven, and more! Pre-order your copy today for your gift of any amount.

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About Leading The Way

Along with partners committed to changing the world, Dr. Michael Youssef is leading the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ. By passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth through print, web, television, and radio, this international team of experts is uniquely providing hope that is revolutionizing lives at home — and around the world.

What began as a small local radio ministry in 1988 has grown into an international ministry reaching millions for Christ — including a vast audience in the Muslim world seeking Truth in closed countries. Leading The Way's television and radio programs are broadcast in more than 28 languages to audiences across six continents. Leading The Way also produces DVDs, CDs, books, a monthly devotional magazinesolar-powered Navigators, and daily e-devotionals to spread the light of Christ. In 2009, the ministry launched its own 24/7 satellite TV channel, reaching the Muslim world with Gospel programming in English, Arabic, French, and Indonesian. Leading The Way utilizes field teams to evangelize and disciple viewers in closed countries and help persecuted Christians on the ground.

Dr. Youssef and the Leading The Way staff are committed to sharing the Gospel with the lost and equipping believers to grow into a deeper walk with Christ. Learn how you can partner with this unique ministry today.

About Dr. Michael Youssef

Michael Youssef, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, a worldwide ministry that leads the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ through the creative use of media and field ministry teams. His weekly television programs and daily radio programs are broadcast more than 13,000 times per week in multiple languages throughout the world. He is also the founding pastor of The Church of The Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Youssef was born in Egypt and lived in Lebanon and Australia before coming to the United States. In 1984, he fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an American citizen. Dr. Youssef holds degrees from Moore College in Sydney, Australia; Fuller Theological Seminary in California; and a Ph.D. in social anthropology from Emory University. He has authored more than 50 books, including popular titles Saving Christianity?, Hope for This Present Crisis, Life-Changing Prayers, and Never Give Up. He and his wife reside in Atlanta and have four grown children and 11 grandchildren.

Contact Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef

Mailing Address
Leading The Way
P.O. Box 20100
Atlanta, GA 30325
Telephone: 
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