"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."When I first read these verses this week, my initial reaction was to wonder why we ever question God. Clearly, He has a plan and He knows what He's doing, right? So why do we feel the need to argue with Him???
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. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
Acts 9:13-16
OK. That's something to think about.
But God led me to think of something more as I reflected on these verses.
Do you know who they're talking about when they say, "this man"?
Do you know who "this man" is? Whom Ananias and many others feared, but whom God had chosen as His instrument?
It is Saul - the Christian hater, who became Paul - the totally sold-out Jesus follower.
And that transformation in Paul made me delight in God's ability to re-make a person.
Do you know someone today who is far from God? Have you stopped praying for them, because you thought they were beyond hope?
May I suggest to you that NO ONE is so far from God that He cannot reach them? Please persist in prayer for that person. And trust that God has a perfect plan!
AND, I am the featured mommy blogger today the The Busy Woman's Guide to Surviving Motherhood. Feel free to stop by to see my interview!
Have a wonderful weekend. I'll see you back here Monday!
19 comments:
Karen, the Lord always has you deliver something I need at the right time!
Please continue to listen to Him and be obedient! I appreciate you!
smooches,
Larie
Oh, Larie, I love HIM so! And I am so glad to know He has spoken to you through these words today.
Love you!
I like that insight into this text! Very much! There is none that cannot be redeemed of the Lord!
I know! Why do we argue with Him???
And yes, my husband. I know that God has a perfect plan for him, but seeing it with my own my eyes seems impossible. This is something I seem to argue with God about. His plan for him.
Congrats on being nominated for Top 100 Blessed Aroma through Internet Cafe. :) It's been a while since I've popped by. Hugs!
Leslie - There is a woman at my church who I knew "when" and I remember specifically asking God, What is going to happen to her? Her life was a mess!
But in His perfect time, He redeemed her. It's an amazing story and so inspiring to me!
O Mom - It's so hard to trust what we cannot see. I know!
But God is good and we know that from everything we have already seen. Amen?
Tiffany - Thanks so much for letting me know. I had no idea!
All I am saying is convicted!!
Ronel - I'm thanking God for speaking to your heart!
I liked the interview! Didn't know that we had kids similar ages...that must be why I relate to you so well and am drawn to your blog! Keep it up!
Jan - Yep. The teen, the tween, and the single digit. Keeps life interesting! *grin*
Thanks for this word. It is encouraging to remember the great difference in Paul's life after the Damascus Road experience. I'm praying for some loved ones to experience their own Damascus. Thanks for the reminder to not give up.
Great article on you at The Busy Woman's Guide to Surviving Motherhood!
There is so much that we can learn from that Scripture. We need to be reminded often not to give up on those stubborn hearts. Thanks for the encouragement as always.
I get behind on my blog reading and then when I come over here I realize how much I have missed it.
I really enjoyed this. And, as usual, very timely.
THis is a very appropriate reminder for me... my prayer time has been SO selfish lately. All about me and my life. Time to include the rest of the world! ;)
Blessings-
Amanda
Congrats on being featured!
Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! I've repeated it all week and boy what a diff. it makes.
Jerri - Encouraging, for sure! My little brother is in my prayers. He has no interest in knowing God - thinks he's very 'enlightened' by other philosophies - but Paul's story gives me hope.
Edie - Yes. And thankful that God never gives up on me - even when I'm stubborn.
My ADHD Me - I'm so glad you stopped by today. I've missed you!
Amanda - You struggle with selfishness, too? Then I'm in good company. *grin*
Janna - Thanks. Yes - repeating scripture to myself is HUGE for me. That's why I am soooo loving memorizing Psalm 139.
okay, so this might be a bit different from your other comments, but wouldn't it be so much easier to believe God's plan when you hear Him say it to you? We are just trying to figure out what the best plan is and follow Him, but if He just told us exactly what His plan was, we would know it. Right?
Karen, thank you for sharing this post. It blessed me.
Gianna - Yes, my friend that would be easier. Believe me - I've thought about this one!
And do you know what I've concluded? If we knew God's plan, we wouldn't need to trust Him. And then I think we'd be missing out on a vital part of our relationship with Him.
As it is, we know He is good. We know we can trust Him. We know His plan is perfect.
So, although He doesn't speak His plan clearly to us, we are blessed because we can trust Him.
That's what I think. *grin*
JBR - Thanks for visiting. I'm glad this entry was a blessing to you!
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