Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

1. Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
2. How hard is it to believe someone can change their ways? Particularly someone who has been a really bad character?
3. Scripture
   1. Acts 9:10-16
   2. The Lord: Ananias.

Ananias: Here I am, Lord.

The Lord: Get up and go to Straight Boulevard. Go to the house of Judas, and inquire about a man from Tarsus, Saul by name. He is praying to Me at this very instant. He has had a vision—a vision of a man by your name who will come, lay hands on him, and heal his eyesight.

Ananias:  Lord, I know whom You’re talking about. I’ve heard rumors about this fellow. He’s an evil man and has caused great harm for Your special people in Jerusalem.  I’ve heard that he has been authorized by the religious authorities to come here and chain everyone who associates with Your name.

The Lord:  Yes, but you must go! I have chosen him to be My instrument to bring My name far and wide—to outsiders, to kings, and to the people of Israel as well.  I have much to show him, including how much he must suffer for My name.

4. Devotional
   1. It’s really hard to put your trust in someone who has lost your trust, isn’t it?
      1. Convicts difficulty in getting jobs
      2. Embezzlers never trusted
      3. Those who have wronged you never brought into the inner circle or even into friendships
      4. Always afraid they will repeat their actions and you’ll get hurt again
   2. Jesus comes to Ananias and tells him to reach out to Saul of Tarsus
      1. Ananias knows Saul’s reputation
      2. Knows he has authority to arrest followers and knows their destination after arrest
      3. Ananias knows Saul cannot be trusted because of his previous actions
      4. Jesus says go and teach him
      5. What do you do?
   3. You do what Jesus tells you to do!
      1. Might be hard for us to believe people can change but..
      2. Think about the change he made in you
      3. If he can change you, can’t he change the one you don’t want to trust?
      4. Can’t He transform the redeemed?
      5. That’s what He told Ananias and that’s what He tells us
   4. So you’ve been burned by someone who says they are born again and they proved they were not by their actions
      1. Some things to think about
      2. God doesn’t expect us to put someone back into their place of greatest temptation, that would be foolish for them and us
         1. Don’t send alcoholics into a bar
         2. Don’t give embezzlers positions as treasurer
         3. Don’t put temptations in front of those who you know succumb to those temptations
         4. But use their skills
      3. Still, befriend, encourage, teach, help as new members of God’s kingdom
5. If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.