Daily Bread 10-16-17

Acts 9:12-15

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and children of Israel:

ref. - Ac 13:2 - As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Ac 22:21 - And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee hence unto the Gentiles.

Ro 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Ro 1:5 - By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Ac 25:22 - Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. Tomorrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

When a man is chosen of God, there is nothing that can be done to stop it. Even in this instance where a great apostle was called, the man of God Ananias, doubted what God was telling him to do. But it was confirmed and Ananias, even though he wondered, did exactly what God showed him to do. Even through all that Saul had done to the Christians, God called him to bring the true gospel to the gentiles, the kings, and the children of Israel. He was a man who would represent the gospel to all people. Not just to one race or the other, not to one level of importance or the other, but versatile in that he could bring the gospel to anyone who would listen. He had access to Israel, he had access to the Romans, and to the Gentiles he was the messenger that brought them hope in Jesus Christ. But he did not wake up one day and choose to be an apostle, nor did Ananias wake up one day and say, I think I will go and pray for Saul. It was a true calling from God. Saul was in one place, and Ananias in another, without any communication between one another, and God brought them together. Even though they were both hesitant to come together, they were more fearful of becoming disobedient to God. The importance of this in the present is that we will not be spoken to directly by God, but it will be the Holy Ghost that communicates within us. If God is going to use us to be called, or to help others to find their calling, we must possess the Holy Spirit. Saul was not informed by another Apostle, nor was Ananias informed by another man in what he was called to do or what God's will was in him, but God communicated with them both. This, also, is how we will receive the true calling of God in our lives. It will be put in us through the Holy Spirit. So, we learn a few things today; Sometimes, event though we may have doubts or wonder, if it is put in us by the Holy Ghost, it is of God and it is the righteous thing to do. Also, we must realize that if it is not through the Holy Ghost, it is of man and it will not stand. If you have been told you might be a good preacher by man, or that you could really be valuable as an instructor by someone, get on your knees and ask God to reveal it to you. If it is from God, you will not have to be told or led in a certain direction. But first, and foremost, before any calling will be put into action by God, other than Salvation, there must be baptism of the Holy Spirit. So, it is clearly evident that we all have some work to do before God can do his work in us. Let's get on our knees and get to work!!! Have a great day!!!