For a brother...

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias.  The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.”  And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”  And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen a in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.  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 you 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.   Acts 9:10-17

Personal Thought:

God visits Ananias in a vision and tells him, Rise and go lay hands on Saul and pray.  Could you imagine Ananias’ shock?  Lord, really Saul, an enemy, as he reminds God of who this man is, the man who persecuted Christians and has full authority from the chief priests to continue to do so.  God knowing full well who Saul was and what he had done tells Ananias, Go he is my chosen instrument to carry out my name.  So Ananias goes, probably many thoughts and fear of his own safety.  However, it is evident Ananias is a man who trusts God.  Ananias assured of God's love and comfort, enters the house laying his hands on Saul, calls him “brother”, and he prays.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you Father for Your grace and the change it brings into our lives.  It is your grace that draws us to the lost, to the sinners, and to see them without preconceived thoughts of who we think they are.  I pray Lord You fill us with Your love so we would love others.  I pray the words of Andrew Murray, Let us first seek to influence those around us in daily life.  Let us accept distinctly and joyfully our holy calling, that we are even now to live as the servants of the love of Jesus to our fellowmen.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.