Who Do You See?
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, I’m so glad that You love me and You invite me to spend this time with You now.
Read Acts 9:10-19
[10] In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. [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. [12] In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” [13] “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. [14] And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” [15] But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. [16] I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” [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.” [18] Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, [19] and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
Reflect
How did the Lord assure Ananias he could go to Paul?Ananias had a tricky assignment from God. Happily, he did not have to be blinded to take notice of him, though he needed God’s special reassurance to help him go (15). When he finally met the feared enemy of the believers he did an extraordinary thing; he called him “brother” (17) even before he had been baptized. I wonder how that made Saul feel. It tells us a lot about relationships in the early church. Our families and our Christian groups are precious places. We can be nervous about opening them up to people who are not like us. Similarly, we can be apprehensive about reaching out to help people on the margins of our society, especially those who seem most sinful. God looks at them differently. He wants to invite them to his party (Luke 14:21). Each of them has the capacity to be a great servant of Christ (15). Who can you encourage in this way today? Could you pray with a struggling fellow Christian for them to be equipped for God? Could you also try to find someone on the edge of your circle, or beyond, to approach as a “brother” or “sister” and show them something of God’s love?
Apply
Answer the questions in the paragraph above. If you’re worried about fulfilling this assignment, ask God to help.
Closing prayer
Lord, give me eyes to see others as You see them and courage to treat them with Your love and concern.
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