rl69
11-01-2016, 06:34 AM
But the Lord said, "Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel."—Acts 9:15 (http://harvest.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4f108f827aed8d503b5fca9fa&id=729b79abd9&e=3dd732485b)Saul had no idea what had just happened to him. After hearing the voice of Jesus on the Damascus Road, he fell to the ground, blinded by a searing light that penetrated the sun. Then he was led to the home of a man named Judas (no relation to Judas Iscariot).
Enter Ananias, the unsung hero. God told him in a vision,
"Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again." (Acts 9:11–12 (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/x-apple-data-detectors://2))
But Ananias had his doubts. He said, "I've heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name" (verses 13–14).
You can understand Ananias' reticence. Saul was a notorious hunter of Christians. Saul had consented to Stephen's murder. Yet God said, "Go."
Do you know someone right now whom you cannot imagine ever becoming a Christian? That is what it was like when Saul of Tarsus came to Christ.
Sometimes God will put a burden on your heart. You will see someone, and there will be a burden from God that you ought to talk to that person. Of course, if God says go, we can say no. God said "Go" to Jonah, and he said no at first. But eventually he went, dragging his feet.
Are you going to be a Jonah or an Ananias? When the Lord says, "Go," are you going to fight it? Or, will you be an Ananias? Just go. Do it. Take a risk.
Enter Ananias, the unsung hero. God told him in a vision,
"Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again." (Acts 9:11–12 (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/x-apple-data-detectors://2))
But Ananias had his doubts. He said, "I've heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name" (verses 13–14).
You can understand Ananias' reticence. Saul was a notorious hunter of Christians. Saul had consented to Stephen's murder. Yet God said, "Go."
Do you know someone right now whom you cannot imagine ever becoming a Christian? That is what it was like when Saul of Tarsus came to Christ.
Sometimes God will put a burden on your heart. You will see someone, and there will be a burden from God that you ought to talk to that person. Of course, if God says go, we can say no. God said "Go" to Jonah, and he said no at first. But eventually he went, dragging his feet.
Are you going to be a Jonah or an Ananias? When the Lord says, "Go," are you going to fight it? Or, will you be an Ananias? Just go. Do it. Take a risk.