SUNDAY April 23, 2023

A Life Surrendered to God

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
Acts 9:10-12

Saul became a man totally surrendered to God. Although he remained blind, he continued steadfastly in prayer and fasting. During this time, God gave Saul a vision. He saw a man named Ananias coming to pray for him so that the scales would fall off his eyes––he would see again.

Imagine, in Damascus on one side of town, Saul was praying, and on the other side of town, Ananias heard the voice of God instructing him to go and pray for Saul. Ananias was very hesitant. He knew that Saul was the one responsible for killing Christians! I am not sure he wanted to go! Ananias, seeking confirmation from the Lord, reminded Him of Saul’s actions:

“Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name” (Acts 9:13-14).

It was Ananias who needed to see with his own eyes Saul’s conversion! When a person is saved, there is a transformation that takes place in their life. The people who knew them before they came to Christ can become apprehensive––wondering if the change is real. They wait and see for themselves if their conversion is genuine.

When I became saved, people heard about it and did not believe it. In my neighborhood, the police continued to stop me. They were amazed by my changed life. They were witnessing a testimony of what the Gospel of Jesus Christ can do! They knew what had happened was not phony. The Lord began to touch people’s lives as I shared my testimony, and many friends, police officers, and family members were saved. God will use the life of any person who has fully surrendered their life to Him.

I have surrendered to God; therefore I surrender to nothing else.
~E. Stanley Jones~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!