Ordinary Ananias

The only time we hear of this Ananias in Damascus is in relationship to Saul (soon to become Paul). This messenger is described as "a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there". (Acts 22:12-16)

But the deal about Ananias is that he was obedient. When God told him to "get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying", Ananias had just one problem. He had already heard that this guy Saul was in town to capture believers. But God said, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to hear My name before the Gentiles and kings and sons of Israel." (Acts 9:10-17)

So Ananias went. 

And God used him to speak healing and truth to a lion of a man. After encouraging Saul to be baptized, Ananias' job was done.

We see how the most influential apostle was turned around and set out on a lifetime of inestimable service to the King.

Praise God that He uses people like ordinary Ananias - and us.

What's Next Right Thing?

I'm thinking Saul (later to become Paul) was surely a "good" boy. He had been discipled by the respected great Gamliel and grown to be very "zealous for God". So when he recognizes opposition to what he had learned was right, he "persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons". (Acts 22:1-11)

But the day came when he got on his high horse to Damascus. And as Saul was approaching that marvelous city, the Lord royally blew up all his well planned schemes. 

About noon a light explosion knocked Saul down and spoke, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" So, of course, Saul replied, "Who are You, Lord?" Our Lord said clearly, "I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting". 

Whoa! What is Saul to do? Heaven had come down and sovereignly interrupted his trip - and life. It's got to be time for a big turn-around. 

So Saul asked, "What shall I do, Lord?" Jesus didn't give him the whole answer, but just the next step: "Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do". 

Yes! Saul did it. The next right thing. 

When life seems overwhelming and you don't know how to go on, it helps greatly to remember, "What's the next right thing?".

Ready to Die!

Paul was well warned. As he sailed back to Jerusalem, he had a layover in Tyre for the ship to unload cargo. He looked up the disciples there and during his seven day stay, "they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem".(Acts 21:1-14)

Then when he got to Caesarea, the prophet Agabus came and "took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, 'This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" So the hometown people kept begging Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

Paul's answer revealed the passion of his life: "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

Lord, give us more passion and love for You. May we be ready for sacrifices ahead.

The Benediction

They had been called. So the Ephesians elders traveled to Paul. See - our apostle had no time to dally because he had "steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem". ((Luke 9:51 - spoken about our Lord). Paul knew trouble was ahead ("the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me"). But his sole goal was to "finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God". (Acts 20:17-35)

So this message to these elders was the last and most crucial. After warning these friends to be on guard against men who "will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them", Paul gave them this commission. 

" And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified."

What greater words could be uttered? What a blessing we could pray for our children and others. 

Lord, may we speak blessing today for those we love.

His Great Comfort

Paul was being hunted down! He gets to Troas where several friends are waiting for him. And it's Sunday. Paul's last day with his buddies. So he gives them one rather long message from the Lord. In fact, in that brightly lit upper room, it was nearing midnight. (Acts 20:7-12)

A young man, Eutychus, was listening from a window seat. "He was overcome by     sleep and fell down from the third floor and was picked up dead." Paul rushed down and "fell upon him, and after embracing him, he said, 'Do not be troubled, for his life is in him'".

Can you imagine the impact of this service? Paul went back up, had communion with them, "talked with them a long while until daybreak, and then left". 

What a testimony to the grace and power of God. "They took away the boy alive, and were greatly comforted."

Lord, thank You for Your great comfort in all areas of our lives.

Some Foolishness

What will cause a city to riot?

Paul sure found out! 

In Ephesus idol-maker Demetrius got together his fellow tradesmen and declared, "Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all." The greedy guy added that the result would be lost business and that the great Artemis would be "dethroned from her magnificence". (Acts 19:23-41)

Soon the rage-filled tradesmen started shouting and "the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia".

The crazy thing was that "some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together". What a riot!

Finally, the town clerk quieted the mob threatening, "we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today's events". That would sure have stirred up the controlling Romans!

How foolish riled-up people can act. How much better to be called a fool for Christ!

"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,"

I Corinthians 1:27