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 imagined what it would be like to be one of Jesus’ apostles in today’s world? How cool would it be to witness miracles, hear God’s voice, and be used in powerful ways like Peter, John, and the others? Maybe you’ve never considered it because you think those extraordinary works were only for those who physically walked with Jesus. But today, I want you to consider something else: the Holy Spirit is still at work and He wants to work through you.
In today’s passage, we meet a man named Ananias. He wasn’t one of the twelve apostles. He wasn’t a church leader or one of the deacons mentioned in Acts 6. Ananias was simply described as “a certain disciple.” He was a follower of Jesus, just like many of us are today.
Yet, God chose him a man of faith, for a remarkable task. The Spirit gave Ananias specific instructions, even the exact street address where he would find Saul (later Paul), who had just encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and was temporarily blinded. God asked Ananias to go pray for the man who had been known for persecuting believers.
Understandably, Ananias had concerns. He had heard what Saul had done and questioned whether this was really safe. But instead of walking away, he talked with the Lord about it. God assured him that Saul had been chosen for a special mission and that his life was about to take a new direction. With that reassurance, Ananias took a step of faith based on what God told him and he went, laid hands on Saul, and watched as God restored his sight and transformed his life.
What’s powerful is that Ananias didn’t perform a miracle on his own. He simply obeyed God step by step. He trusted the Spirit’s guidance, and God did the rest.
That’s the same kind of life God invites us into today. You don’t need a title or platform. You don’t need to be a preacher, a prophet, or an evangelist. If you are a disciple, someone who follows Jesus, you are available to be part of what God is doing in the world today.
If you do not know how or haven’t followed His direction in a while, here are some points to help get you back on track:
- Start by doing getting into God’s Word and obey what He has already said. The foundation of being a disciple is obedience to His written Word. Start with what’s clear: receive salvation through Jesus, be water baptized, gather regularly with other believers, and grow in grace and truth. When you follow His Word, you position your heart to hear more clearly when He directs you personally.
- Stay connected to God in prayer. Create space to hear from Him. Set aside personal quiet time with Him each day and listen to anything that comes up from your heart. Until you are sure of His leading, ask Him to make things plain and clear to you.
- Don’t ignore promptings or impressions on your heart, ask God who’s life you can be a part of impacting today.
- When you sense direction, don’t worry about having the full picture. Take the first step and trust God to guide the next.
- Be willing to act even when you feel uncertain. God will meet you with grace, wisdom, and clarity as you go.
You might be surprised by how God leads you. Like Ananias, your obedience could be the turning point in someone else’s story and yours.
Today I want to encourage you that you are not “just” a believer. You are a disciple. You are someone God sees, knows, and calls by name. When He speaks, He speaks to people just like me and just like you, ordinary men and women who are willing to say, “Here I am, Lord.” You don’t have to understand it all or be the most qualified. You just need to be available. If God worked through Ananias to launch the ministry of the Apostle Paul, imagine what He can do through your life when you simply listen and obey.
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.
Journal:
- What is something God may be asking you to do that feels out of your comfort zone?
- Write a prayer asking Him for clarity, courage, and the next step.
Then, write “Here I am, Lord” at the top of the page as a reminder that He can use you today.
The Daily Dose 