Author: missionspaul

Acts 9:20
“At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.”
Here we are again, immediately, at once.
There was no course to attend first. There was no 6 month sitting in church before being released. No, at once he became a preacher.
In one of our church planting countries when someone is converted to Christ they enter a community of believers where the expectation is that they will lead someone else to Christ within two weeks! That is why the gospel is thriving! Do they have all their theology sorted out. Of course not. But neither did Saul. All he knew was that Jesus is real. He is who He says He is. He is the Son of God. That is the main thing.

Acts 9: 19
“and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.”

Just eat something. Do the obvious. Saul had not eaten for 3 days and was weak. It wasn’t rocket science, he needed to gain strength, so he had to eat. Some people need to sleep. Some people need a day off. Or they need to do something relaxing. Others need to eat.

Just spend time with the right people. The right people are always disciples, people who are journeying, moving, not the ones who have arrived and know it all, but the ones who are in a learning community. Surround yourself with voices that are positive and who will affirm and encourage you.

Go on just do it.

Acts 9: 18
“Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptised,”

It was straight away but it was difficult to explain.
We do have an immediate God.
He doesn’t just move gradually though much of our experience could be described like that.
We need to refresh ourselves in the immediate move of our God.
At the beginning he spoke and it happened.
He hasn’t stopped moving in this way.
He moves as we move. Ananias placed his hands on Saul and God moved.
Ananias was expecting God to heal and God healed.
Why can’t God do this again for you, for me, today? There is no reason. Believe for the immediate right now!
But you may struggle to explain it!

Acts 9: 17
“Then 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.”

He went.
Many are called but few truly go.
How did india first hear the gospel? Because Thomas went.
How did Paris establish its first church? Because Denis went.
How did Ireland become converted? Because Patrick went.
I could go on but you get the message.
Things happened because people went. They still do.
But going means risking everything. Rarely do people go with no fear. But they go nevertheless.
Can it be said of you that you went?

Acts 9:16
“I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

I will give him a global ministry.
I will make him famous.
I will hand him all he ever wanted.
I will use him in ways that will amaze.
I will provide for any and all of his needs.
This what God does for those who say YES to Him, right?
No.
Suffer is for those who are passionate for the name of Jesus.
Suffer is what happens to the obedient.
Suffer is for those who give everything.
Suffer is for those who risk their reputations.
Suffer is for those who carry a vision.
Being chosen is not for the light-hearted.

Acts 9:15
“But 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.”

So once again we see our God saying what He has and is always saying, “Go!” Today as you get ready for your day, your God is saying ‘Go!”

And to who do we go?
We go to people who may not know it yet, but who are chosen by God. He chooses before He is chosen. This is incredible grace.

And why are they chosen?
They are chosen to go to people who do not know Him and to make His name known to many. This is disciples making disciples who disciple.

It starts here with you today. Will you go? The potential movement that can come from your willingness is endless. It can begin with your approach to the unlikely and the unlovable, this is not an evangelistic event, this may just be a personal conversation. Here I am!

s Acts 9:14
“And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

Where are you looking? Who has your focus?

Ananias was struggling with his thoughts.

Are you thinking about the presence of an enemy and what could be taken from you?
Or are you thinking about the fact that Jesus is with you and what He brings to you?
Are your thoughts on the power of your enemy and how uncontrolled you feel?
Or are your thoughts on Jesus who has all authority and gives you the spirit of control?
Are you afraid of being contained and limited by man?
Or are you afraid of Jesus, the name you call upon, who gives you freedom and life?

Acts 9:13
“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.

Today my son gets married. It doesn’t feel 2 minutes since he was being born. Where has 23 years gone and how did it go by so quickly?! I get the joy of conducting the wedding ceremony as I have done for 2 other ‘adopted’ sons of mine.
This morning I will do what I have done for the other 2 on their wedding day, I will text my son a message of fatherly blessing and prophetic encouragement.
I will be inspired by the verse we are reading this morning, though perhaps a little strange to use for a wedding day message (however we are in a bible plan with no deviation!).
This is what I will tell him and this is what I want you reader to hear also today.
“Son, in this life you will hear many voices. There will be many things that disturb you, annoy you and will cause you to divert your path away rather than through that season of life. Above all fear no man. Fear no reputation, fear no threats and fear no reality. Do not be trapped by the fear of any man created circumstance. But choose to call Jesus your Lord and fear Him. Be in awe of Him. He has final authority over everything. Nothing is above Him. Calling Him Lord means you have to always say YES to Him and NO to man.”
“Lord I have heard many fearful things but I say YES to you.”

The networking God

Acts 9:12
“In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

Can you imagine being the star player in the vision of another person?
God is the God of set-ups.
He speaks to the sinner about the saint and then goes to the saint and tells them what He has said to the sinner!
He connects individuals together, getting people to cross each other’s paths. He makes things happen. He is a networker. You see God could have just healed Saul supernaturally. He didn’t need Ananias. He wanted Ananias. He wanted to show Saul that a disciple in Damascus that would have been persecuted by him if he had not been knocked down, was actually now the vehicle for his healing.
You don’t know who is thinking about you right now.
You don’t know who may be talking about you or even dreaming of you.
You may be in someone’s vision and you don’t realise it.
But God knows.
You have a part to play on this earth for the salvation of many.
Are you within the networking of God. Are you ready?

Acts 9: 11
“The 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.”

Two years last Easter a Koranic teacher in an Islamic country began on Good Friday to pray and fast in order to seek Mohammed. But Mohammed didn’t show up. So he went into the second day. On the third day in the early hours, Jesus came to the Imam. Jesus explained the way of salvation and the man committed his life to Him. What happened next is right out of the pages of Acts 9. Jesus gave the man the name of the street and a picture of the church building in the city of where the Elim church worships. It was there he met our worker who today continues to mentor the imam each week.
The Lord told Ananias to go to the house of Judas.
It was on a street called Straight St.
The Lord gave Ananias the name of the person he was to meet and what he would be doing.

The fact is the Lord comes to Imams and to Pharisees and reveals His salvation plan to both. And if He comes to them He will come to us.
He knows where all the houses are.
He knows the names.
He knows what is happening behind the closed doors.
He knows everything.