You are a disciple
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” Acts 9:10
Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be one of Jesus apostles in today’s world? How cool would it be to do the signs and miracles that Peter, John and the others did? Maybe you have never considered this at all because you think those great works were only done through those who walked with Jesus in the flesh? However, today I want to ask you to consider the possibility of being a vessel that the Holy Spirit can move through to reach the world around you.
In today’s reading, we see a man name Ananias that was moved by the direction of God’s Spirit. Ananias was not an apostle and he never walked directly with Jesus when He was doing His earthly ministering. At least it was not written in any of the gospels. However, this was quite an awesome thing that God asked Ananias to do. First of all, the Spirit of God gave Ananias very specific directions that were actually an address of a place that he had never been before. Then the Spirit told Ananias to go there and find Saul that had been blinded by an encounter with Jesus on the way to arrest believers.
Here is the part that really gets my attention, Ananias actually has a conversation with the Spirit of God about the man and his concerns about what Saul’s original intention was for coming to that city. True to the character of God, the Holy Spirit comforted Ananias by filling him in on the plan for Saul’s life now that he had been converted. After that conversation, Ananias went to Saul and laid his hands on him then Saul was able to see again. Amazing!
Ananias was not a leader of the people; he was not one of the 12 and he wasn’t even one of the deacons that were chosen in Acts chapter 6. He was simply a follower of God’s way and born again into the kingdom of heaven. A disciple just like we are today. Ananias was able to accomplish this great assignment simply by listening to and following the direction that the Holy Spirit spoke to his heart.
We have access to the same Holy Spirit today and when we yield to Him and listen for the mission, He wants us to accomplish each day, we can do the works of God toward others. So the next time you feel impressed to reach out to some one or hear about a need, take some time to talk it over with God. Don’t just tell Him what you know and why you are not the one to do something about it, ask Him for the plan and what the steps are to get there. Ananias didn’t do everything as once; he simply followed the step-by-step plan and let the Holy Spirit do the hard part.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 9:10-19
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.
12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
The Daily Dose 