But God…

Scripture: Acts 9:15-18 " But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized.

When was the last time you responded to the urging voice of the Holy Spirit, "But God... ? We all have at one time or another. 

Many times we focus on the man Saul, possibly a member of the Sanhedrin court, a high Roman official, in route to Damascus to persecute those who "belonged to the Way" in other words, those followers of Jesus. However God had another plan, a plan that would change his whole life. But I think the lesson for us as followers of Jesus is in Ananias. 

When was Saul converted? God put Saul in a position and readied him to receive the Holy Spirit in his life. But, notice, He told Ananias to go to him,"So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. God uses us to reach out to those around us to lead them to our Lord Jesus, to show "them" the way. 

Application: 
1) What excuses have you given for not responding to the assignments God has called you to do? It may not be too late to respond.
2) Can you imagine the wonderful reward of being the very instrument that God would use to call such a mighty man of God as Saul? Any gain will be so much greater than the loss. 

Prayer: Father, as you are passing out assignments for the day, do not pass me by. Give me the courage and strength to respond to your call, facing any danger along the way knowing that it is you that will perform any good word or deed that comes from within us. May I glorify you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen