Just A Man

Given November 8, 2007
Many great things have been done by people who were just ordinary folks. I was reminded of one recently and the Holy Spirit brought him to mind again during my devotion time this morning. He is Ananias.

In Acts 9, we read the story of Saul's conversion to Paul. The Spirit of Jesus knocked Saul off his donkey, blinded him, then told him to get up and go into the city of Damascus and wait for further instructions. He waited there three days, (Acts 9: 1-9).

In the mean time, here's this believer Ananias, a regular guy, who was going about his daily business and the Lord called him in a vision. Ananias answered and Jesus told him to go pray for this guy who'd been throwing Christians in jail. He gave him the guy's name and the address where he was staying. Ananias was a little hesitant about confronting this bad dude, (aren't we just like that?), but the Lord said "Go" and Ananias went, (Acts 9: 10-17).

Here's the point: God had a plan, Ananias was chosen to perform a task in that plan, he did it, and went back to his regular life. We don't hear of him again. The Lord called, Ananias obeyed, God's plan was implemented, and the world was changed! Just for the obedience of one regular guy!

I'm sure Ananias didn't realize the impact his obedience would have. He probably went back to his wife and said something like, "Honey, you won't believe what just happened over on Straight Street". Indeed. But, what if Ananias had not obeyed? Would God have chosen someone else? But because he did obey, I imagine he and his family enjoyed overflowing blessings even though we didn't hear about it.

We are just regular people too and God could call us, (and probably has), to do something for Him. Notice, He didn't just call some bum off the street in Damascus; He called a believer. I want to be ready when God calls me. How about you?

God's To-Do List

Given August 2, 2007
As you've prayed, has God told you anything He wants you to do? Have you gotten impressions of something you feel you need to do? Maybe someone you feel you should go see? Well, I sure have. I've begun to write these things down and describe them as, "God's to-do list". Things He wants me to do.

Now, I'm also praying for God to do some things for me. And I know He's got some wonderful things planned so why haven't they come to pass? This is how God described it to me: It's like a teenager who asks his father, "Can I have the car Dad?" And the dad replys, "Have you cleaned your room yet, like I asked? You can't have the car until you clean your room."

God won't do what He's got planned for me until I do my part and do what He's already asked me to do. It's an obedience thing. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22". Yes, I want to be a good kid and do what my Father asks and, I know, He'll be real good to me when I do. What has God asked you to do?

Willing And Obedient

Given February 22, 2007
I remember the story of an active little boy in church who wouldn't sit still. After several "requests" from his mother, which went unheeded, he got a pinch and was made to sit down. The boy glared at his mom and whispered, "I may be sitting on the outside but, on the inside, I'm standing up!"

Aren't we like that with Father God sometime? We'll do something we know we should, we're obedient, but are we willing on the inside? The Bible says, "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: Isaiah 1:19". Willing AND obedient. In that case, we do what God desires and we WANT to do it. Do you think that would please Him? I do.

As a father, I remember times when one of my boys would do a chore I'd asked, like pick beans or something, but they wouldn't be too happy about. They did it begrudgingly and without their best effort. On the other hand, there were times when they would say, "Sure Paw, I'd be glad to!" Now, which one do you think made me the happiest and more inclined to reward them?

I want to be like the latter with God my Father.

Cast Your Care

Given July 17, 2007
We live in a world with troubles, don't we? Every day, news stories chronicle trouble somewhere and even if it's not too bad, it's still something we may have concern over. But that's just the way it is. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. John 16:33", but He ended that statement by assuring us, "But take heart! I have overcome the world." He's already taken care if it. So why do we still have "care" over these things?

So, if we're in the middle of trouble, and Jesus has overcome it already, we shouldn't worry about at all. We can, (and that's important), we CAN toss the anxiety of it over to Jesus and sit back and let Him handle it. "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7". We have the choice of letting Jesus take care of it or trying to do it ourselves. Here's one way of looking at it. When Satan comes knocking on your door, just say, "Jesus, will you get that please?"

Be What You're Meant To Be

Given April 10, 2007
I realized something on this day that I had been saying wrong for years. My wife and I have four wonderful sons and all of them did very well in school. I told each them that, because of their intellectual ability, they could be anything they wanted to be. No occupation or dream was out of their reach. Sounds like pretty good advice.

However, after hearing a teaching on God's plan for each of us, I realized what I'd been telling them and others was in error. "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1:11". God has a plan for each one of us. Even before we were born, God had our lives planned out but He gave us a free will; we can do our own thing or seek His plan.

That's where I've been in error with what I told my boys. God has blessed them, and us too, with many blessings which are to be used to accomplsh His will in the earth. So, it's not, "You can be anything you want to be." but, "Discover what God wants you to be and be that". God will help us be what He wants us to be but if we leave God out of it, we're on our own! "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, Isaiah 30:21". We each have unique talents and abilities and they fit in perfectly with some vocation or assignment. We should all pray, meditate on the Word, listen to the Holy Spirit and be what we're meant to be.

God Uses People

Given November 9, 2004
Do you remember the story of Paul on the road to Damascus? He was knocked off his donkey by a great light and heard the voice of Jesus telling him to go to Damascus and wait to be told what to do next. At the same time, Jesus called to a disciple in Damascus, Ananias, and gave him a very frightening task: "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight. Acts 9:11-12".

Ananias protested at first because of Saul's reputation for doing harm to the saints. But when Jesus said, "Go." in verse 15, Ananias went and did what he was told. Think how awesome this was. Jesus chose a believer, sent him on a dangerous, (he thought), mission, he called Saul "brother", laid hands on him and Saul was healed and filled with the Holy Spirit! What an important assignment for Ananias.

The rest, as they say, is history. But don't you think Ananias was blessed for being obedient? And if he had not been, Jesus would probably have chosen someone else. But he was obedient in the face of uncertainty and I can imagine, as he heard reports of the work Paul was doing, he realized how blessed he was for Jesus to have chosen him.

You know, Jesus might just send you or me on some important mission. First, are we, "... a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. Acts 22:12" as Ananias was. Second, will we be willing to go. Who knows what future great preacher Jesus may send us to minister to; or maybe it will be a down-and-out bum on the street who needs a kind word and something to eat. God uses people to serve His people.