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Acts 9:1-31

“I used to think you had to be special for God to use you, but now I know you simply need to say ‘yes.’Bob Goff, Love Does

171 miles northeast of the eye of the storm, at least a week’s journey for the law-abiding Hebrew, would seem to be a secure distance. It seemed like a “safe place” to settle down. Love Jesus. Mind your own business. Life is good in Damascus, Syria!

But then the dreaded visitation.

“Ananias?”
“Here I am, Lord.”
“Arise and go to the street called Straight…a man from Tarsus named Saul is praying there…he is expecting you!”

Bad news travels fast. The danger that this announcement posed was not unknown.

“Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints in Jerusalem…and he has legal documents giving him permission to do the same right here in Damascus!”
“BUT the Lord said…Go!”

He was not the only Jesus follower in the community. He was not the “Senior Pastor” of the local fellowship of saints. He was neither another Stephen nor another Philip deacon/preachers. Far as the narrative goes, he was really nobody as others would perceive him. But you don’t have to be special for God to use you. You simply need to say “yes.”

As a side note, there is an interesting tale of two Ananias’ written into the story. The first is legendary for his loving himself and his stuff more than he loved Jesus. His unmarked grave is monument to his life. The second is a testimony to readiness to put one’s all on the line and simply saying “yes” regardless of the potential cost. His willingness to, if necessary die, lives on as testimony to the reward for those who do not love their lives unto death. One tried to gain the whole world but lost his soul. The other gave himself and was blessed to receive so much more.

So, you don’t have to be special for God to use you, you simply need to say “yes.”

Has He asked you to ________ or ________ or _________? You simply need to say “yes!”

See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom