Tuesday
Read Acts 9:1-20
9 In the meantime Saul kept up his violent
threats of murder against the followers of the Lord. He went to the High Priest
2and asked for letters of introduction to the synagogues in
Damascus, so that if he should find there any followers of the Way of the Lord,
he would be able to arrest them, both men and women, and bring them back to
Jerusalem.
3 As Saul was coming near the city
of Damascus, suddenly a light from the sky flashed round him. 4He
fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why do you
persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” he asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you persecute,” the
voice said. 6“But get up and go into the city, where you will be
told what you must do.”
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7 The men who were travelling with
Saul had stopped, not saying a word; they heard the voice but could not see
anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes, but could
not see a thing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. 9For
three days he was not able to see, and during that time he did not eat or drink
anything.
10 There was a believer in Damascus
named Ananias. He had a vision, in which the Lord said to him, “Ananias!”
“Here I am, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord said to him, “Get ready
and go to Straight Street, and at the house of Judas ask for a man from Tarsus
named Saul. He is praying, 12and in a vision he has seen a man named
Ananias come in and place his hands on him so that he might see again.”
13 Ananias answered, “Lord, many
people have told me about this man and about all the terrible things he has
done to your people in Jerusalem. 14And he has come to Damascus with
authority from the chief priests to arrest all who worship you.”
15 The Lord said to him, “Go,
because I have chosen him to serve me, to make my name known to Gentiles and
kings and to the people of Israel. 16And I myself will show him all
that he must suffer for my sake.”
17 So Ananias went, entered the
house where Saul was, and placed his hands on him. “Brother Saul,” he said,
“the Lord has sent me—Jesus himself, who appeared to you on the road as you
were coming here. He sent me so that you might see again and be filled with the
Holy Spirit.” 18At once something like fish scales fell from Saul’s
eyes, and he was able to see again. He stood up and was baptized; 19and
after he had eaten, his strength came back.
Saul Preaches in Damascus
Saul stayed for a few days with the
believers in Damascus. 20He went straight to the synagogues and
began to preach that Jesus was the Son of God.
Think
Ananias had the faith challenging task of obeying God in his call to him
to go to Saul (known for killing people like Ananias) and helping him to accept
his new found faith.
Pray
Lord I might not have the courage of Ananias - but guide me as you use me
to bring others to faith in you.
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