Overview

When the new comes, response is everything…

Bible Passages

Acts 9:10-17

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.”

Acts 9:26-31

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

My Thoughts
In Acts 9:10-17, Ananais confidently heard and acknowledged the Lord but once he heard what God wanted him to do, he was struck with fear and terror. Anxiety seeped in and had him questioning God (the same happens to me lol). While reading this passage what stood out was that Ananias could've walked away and/or ignored what God asked him to do but instead of doing that he chose to listen to God and do what God asked him to do, all while knowing this man Saul could've had him murdered or thrown in jail. With his fears and anxieties ever so present, Ananias walked and spoke to the place and person that God called him to.

Later on in verses 26-31, we find Saul preaching the gospel boldly even debating with legalistic Jews who wanted to murder him. The same man that was persecuting and combatting Christians is seen walking in the new. Even though fellow believers were scared of him, he walked in the newness of himself. He chose to keep walking in the newness that God gave him… knowing that no one could debate what God showed him, knowing that no one could debate what God spoke to him.


Takeaways
Despite how ppl have perceived you and despite how you have perceived yourself, you have to keep moving in a new way. Despite what others may say about you, you have to keep walking in a new way. You've been made new so choose to walk in that newness.

Questions
In this past week, have you felt God call you to do or say something? How did you respond?

When it comes to who you are now… how can you find new ways to honor the person you are becoming?

What good, peace, or joy could we potentially miss out on when we choose to ignore God?

Who is God calling you to this week? Who will your words set free (mentally, emotionally, or spiritually) this week?