THIN SPACE
The Messenger
Prayer Hour this week is all about telling one person about Jesus… who tells another person about Jesus… who tells another person about Jesus…
Prayer Hour this week is all about passing it on. Prayer Hour this week is all about being The Messenger.
Today’s messenger – Ananias The Messenger
Acts 9:1-19
Ananias
There are three men by the name of Ananias appear in the Bible, and each plays a role in the New Testament book of Acts. A common name among Jews, Ananias is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Hananiah and means “Yahweh has been gracious.”
We are looking at the Ananias in the Bible who played a part in the conversion story of the apostle Paul. After Saul of Tarsus was struck blind on the road to Damascus, he was led to the home of Judas on Straight Street. Three days later, Jesus spoke in a vision to Ananias. The Lord told him to go to Saul, but Ananias was afraid. He was keenly aware of Saul’s unyielding persecution of the believers in Jerusalem and his intended persecution in Damascus. God reassured Ananias, saying, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:15–16).
Right away, Saul went to the synagogue in Damascus and preached about Jesus to the Jews there. Later, Saul began his ministry of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles under his Roman name, Paul.
After that, Paul told everyone he could about Jesus—from Jerusalem to Rome. Paul spent a lot of time in jail, not that he did anything wrong, he was just a big threat to the Romans and other leaders in charge. Paul was shaking up the rules everyone who was Jewish had always followed. He was inviting non-Jewish people, known as Gentiles, to accept Jesus as their Saviour.
But there’s another reason God chose Paul: to prove He can forgive anyone (1 Timothy 1:12-16). God’s mercy can save even the most sinful person.
Psalm 103. 8-12
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
God is not looking for mindless gears in the missionary machine, but passionate lovers who seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. He is not looking for “payback” from His people in the form of reluctant obedience. God is relational above all else; His love propels and sustains His followers.
Jackie Pullinger
So what can we do?
1. Talk to God, tell him you are available to be used by him.
2. Listen to God so you can hear his requests and go.
3. Support those who are literally risking their lives to be messengers. Like…
Open Doors - Caring for Persecuted Christians.
Over 260 million Christians worldwide are persecuted. They follow Jesus, no matter the cost. With your help, Open Doors are bringing them hope and resources.
Worship
Chris Tomlin - I Will Follow - CLICK HERE
Hillsong Worship - I Surrender - CLICK HERE
Darlene Zschech - Here I Am Send Me - CLICK HERE