Ananias: Obediance

There it is, the ugly word: Obedience.

If Ananias teaches us anything, it is obedience. We know he is a disciple, a believer and follower of Jesus. We know he questioned God, we know he was called to "go" for God. Ultimately it came down to one choice for Ananias: would he answer God's calling or not?

We know he did and we also know that Ananias' obedience led to the healing and baptism of Saul.

What is it about obedience that is so hard? Why is it so difficult to just do what has been asked of us?

I can give you my long list of personal answers but I want you to answer for yourself. Each of us has our own excuses and justifications for not wanting to be obedient. I know, I know,  our salvation isn't dependent on our "works" and our goodness. Grace is a free gift through our faith. Somehow, someway, there needs to be a response to that gift. Obedience to God is that response. 

I know if God was keeping a list, my column of disobedience would be impressive but I also trust that God dwells on the moments I say "Yes" to Him and the calling on my life. It is in those moments that I call Him "Abba, Father" and I understand that I desire to let Him work through my life. 

Ananias didn't know God's plan for Saul, he saw a murderer of believers. He went anyway. He could have walked into his own death and yet he trusted in God's words to him. Because of Ananias' obedience you and I know the precious life that has been given to us. 

Is God calling you to a place of obedience? What are you afraid of? Will you step out and trust in the plan God sees?

^{Acts 9:10}In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" 
      "Yes, Lord," he answered.

 ¹¹The 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. ¹²In 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 saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."

 ¹⁵But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. ¹⁶I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

 ¹⁷Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." ¹⁸Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, ¹⁹and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Pray for Bonita E this week. Please reply with prayer and praise for tomorrows devotional. We are also looking for a few people interested in sending us some short devotionals we could add to the mix. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have missed a few devos.  We do not want to leave any of you without an encouraging Word. If you are interested in helping us out, so that we have devos for the days we just can't write, please email us at womenofworship1@gmail.com. We appreciate all of you so much.

Ananias: Calling

Acts 9: 15-17

¹⁵But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. ¹⁶I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

 ¹⁷Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

What do you think would have happened had Ananias decided not to go?

Did God need Ananias to "go" for Him?

There are many times in our lives when we are called to do small things for God. We are called to pray for our friends, we are called to be in fellowship with one another, we are called to worship, we are called to share meals and encourage. We are called to read the Word and write in on our hearts, we are called to love our God and love our neighbors.

There are many times in our lives when we are called to do bigger things for God. We are called to put nothing above God, we are called to heal, we are called to have faith, we are called to lay hands on the sick and love the unlovable. 

God can accomplish everything he wants to accomplish without us. But, He loves you and wants you to want to be a part of His plan. He wanted Ananias to respond and "Go". 

God is calling you. He is calling you to "Go". There is a great commission for all who are disciples of Christ and the Word: 

^{Matthew 28:18} Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Pray for Bonita E this week.

Ananias: Question

Acts 9:11-13

¹¹The 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. ¹²In 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 saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."

Do you ever question God's plan? I do. I know, I am not suppose to say that, let alone put it out into the world wide web to be read for hundreds of years. Sometimes I just can't see where He is going with the things He is asking of me. I know that only God can see the "big" picture and knows the outcome.

Recently I have felt led to minister to someone I have always thought of as the more mature Christian than I. It is someone I have looked up to many times in my walk. Lately it seems in our conversations that things have taken a switch. She is in a tough place. I asked God lots of questions: Why me, she knows more about your promises than I do? Why her, she has lots of Christians in her life that can support her can't I be better used somewhere else? Now, isn't there enough for me to do right now? I continue to ask God many questions in this situation, because I can't see the plan in it. I don't think God is offended when we ask, I know that when I am asking questions to God, that means I am looking to Him for the answers. 

Questions can lead to relationship. If we sit back and never ask God the why me's or why them questions, we don't get answers. We aren't having the conversations that God wants us to have with him. I encourage you to ask your questions. Because He will show you the beauty in His plan, He will show you why he would choose you to touch a murderer as he did with Ananias. He is showing me why he would choose me to be ministering to my friend. And you know, I think it is because it shows how great our God is.

I challenge you to ask that question...you know, the one in the back of your mind that you are afraid to say out loud. Ask it. God is big enough and He does have the answer. 

Pray for Bonita E this week.

Ananias: Disciple

Ananias

Acts 9: 10- 19

¹⁰In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" 
      "Yes, Lord," he answered.

 ¹¹The 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. ¹²In 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 saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."

 ¹⁵But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. ¹⁶I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

 ¹⁷Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." ¹⁸Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, ¹⁹and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

What is a disciple: a disciple is a follower of a doctrine or teacher (from NIV Study Bible dictionary)

In today's culture it is easy to get lost in the abundance of teachers, leaders and doctrines. As Christians we hold in high esteem the idea of discipleship and being followers of Christ. Sometimes almost regarding it so highly that we don't realize that we are all disciples of something or someone. Reflect today on who and what it is that you follow. What are you obedient to? Yourself, a pastor, a friend, money? 

Heavenly Father: I pray blessing over this devotional. As we begin to study the lives of men in your Word, show us the way. Use me to bring to life the relevance of the people you chose to use in your Word. Thank you for this devotional Lord and continuing to use me in a such a beautiful way. Show each of us with clarity this week who and what we choose to follow. Show me with clarity the things I am a disciple of in my life. In your precious Name.