Acts Chapter 9
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
Ananias had a choice to make. He was aware of Saul persecuting and murdering Christians. He was called by God to not only face him, but heal his blindness. I liken this to me (a white Christian man) coming face to face with Bin Laden (if he were still alive) or ISIS leader and to heal him in weakness not knowing how he could respond.
Ananias could have not accepted the challenge, but instead he chose to listen to God, press in to his fears and walk in faith that God could do something as He said:
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
This faithful move resulted in the first miracle of Ananias' healing Saul's blindness. The dominoes fell! Saul had the Holy Spirit and the whole area benefited from it.
Miracles then happened through Saul's converting many, many Jews to Christ.
22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
The fruits of peace and encouragement all came about... all because of the faith steps taken by Ananias to move towards his fear.
What steps can we take towards our fears? Are there any areas that we can walk out in faith to show His spirit? I think we can come across opportunities often to step out of our comfort and choose faith instead of fear.
Lord, please show us areas that we have to choose You and Your spirit rather than the spirit of fear. Great things can happen and so many can benefit when we hear Your calling and are obedient. Life is hard and we so badly want comfort, but Your work is not found in comfort. Bold spirit comes from bold steps taken in faith.
Amen!
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
Ananias had a choice to make. He was aware of Saul persecuting and murdering Christians. He was called by God to not only face him, but heal his blindness. I liken this to me (a white Christian man) coming face to face with Bin Laden (if he were still alive) or ISIS leader and to heal him in weakness not knowing how he could respond.
Ananias could have not accepted the challenge, but instead he chose to listen to God, press in to his fears and walk in faith that God could do something as He said:
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
This faithful move resulted in the first miracle of Ananias' healing Saul's blindness. The dominoes fell! Saul had the Holy Spirit and the whole area benefited from it.
Miracles then happened through Saul's converting many, many Jews to Christ.
22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
The fruits of peace and encouragement all came about... all because of the faith steps taken by Ananias to move towards his fear.
What steps can we take towards our fears? Are there any areas that we can walk out in faith to show His spirit? I think we can come across opportunities often to step out of our comfort and choose faith instead of fear.
Lord, please show us areas that we have to choose You and Your spirit rather than the spirit of fear. Great things can happen and so many can benefit when we hear Your calling and are obedient. Life is hard and we so badly want comfort, but Your work is not found in comfort. Bold spirit comes from bold steps taken in faith.
Amen!
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