Has God placed such an individual in your path?

Question

Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. - Acts 9:8a

There is a place of obedience for all of us. For Paul, it was being struck blind on the Damascus road. God literally knocked him to the ground with a blinding light. A voice from Heaven asked Paul why he was persecuting Him (Jesus). When Paul arose, he could not see. Jesus told him to go to Damascus and meet a man named Ananias. There, Jesus restored Paul's sight through Ananias.

We've all heard the saying, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall." In many cases this is true. God has called many hard cases into His Kingdom through miraculous circumstances in order to save their lives from the pit of hell and transform them into a sweet-smelling fragrance. Do not let the hard exterior fool you. These are needy people who are crying out for help in their own prideful way.

Whenever God begins this process in the life of a sinner, He has others standing by to assist. Ananias was the person in Paul's life. He found it unbelievable that Paul really could have been saved. An angel had to convince him. Has God placed such an individual in your path? Perhaps God desires to use you to be an "Ananias" in the life of one of His wayward children. To do so requires a willingness to come alongside that one who needs your help. Who knows, that person could be the next apostle Paul.
And how will you respond?

bwlobo, my wife, daughter, and myself are standing here in agreement now for your need.

Answer 1

Sometimes, it feels like I have been placed in a den full of "Paul's", because people in general seem to have such hard hard hearts against God, Jesus and His Word. And it gets very frustrating and intimidating at times. Yet, everytime I see someone who is extreemly stubborn against God, I know in my heart, that if that person were to convert & accept God, that person's energies of destruction would be whipped around to be energies of positive action!
I was raised Christian, and always felt close to God and the beauty he designed. When I was 14, I was 'reborn' thru viewing "The Sword and the Switchblade" movie. In it, the primary murdering Gang leader was turned around and became a mighty warrior for Christ, became a pastor.
And today, when I see friends who are sitting on the fence about God, partially in their faith (or their Church doesn't help them to mature in the True Faith), I pray & pray for them. It is hard to see someone who has met so many odd circumstances of death, yet still flounders when it comes to fully bonding with God.
Paul took the single blinding light to 'open his eyes', yet my friend has had so many incidents happen to him, yet he remains mystified and clueless to God's purpose in his life.
So, I pray. I pray that God send someone to witness to help bring my 'Paul' to God.

I believe that God sent me my husband for many reasons, but the one that seems primary is to help bring my Father to God. Dad believes God exists, but Jesus was just a good prophet, and WHO is the Holy Spirit? Dad also believes in evolution and other secular myths. So, my hubby comes along, and has opened my Dad's heart up to express his love. Dad has NEVER told my brothers he loves them (he does!), yet my hubby has managed to open up that emotional shell in my Dad, and Dad is more open now to hearing God's Truth. Dad is 82 yrs old, in poor health, and I fear greatly for his soul. He knows we are all concerned, but he laughs us off. So, my hubby is my Dad's Ananias...little by little getting Dad to set aside his self pride and grasp the true purpose for Jesus and what role the Holy Spirit has and who HE is, too.

So, in conclusion, we all have about us day to day 'Pauls' and 'Ananias''....in different stages, working miracles here and there. Sometimes we are a part of this miracle, sometimes just observers. Pray for those who are lost, especially those who strongly oppose and defy God...if these souls be tranformed, what mighty warriors God would receive for His works! Never loose the faith - EVER!

101107 1:50

Answer 2

That is such a great question with so much insight regarding Paul. Many people don't realize that Paul wasn't always the Paul that we have grown to know in the bible stories. Paul was a violent man with a horrible temper. Paul went around cursing, fighting, and cutting off ears. God has a purpose and destiny for us all and we together have to make it happen. We can't afford to shun anyone because of their lifestyle or behavior. None of us have ever been perfect.

Oh, to answer your question. Yes, God has placed someone like that in my path and I have also been one of the many like Paul that needed the helping hand of my very own "Ananias".

Answer 3

God has done that to me on many occasions two got filled with the holy spirit another is in my life now he is a believer but stuck in bondage,but God is doing the work and its been a wonderful journey,I stand up to the plate for all are Gods children and need deliverance Be blessed Lisa

Answer 4

Please tell "edcw0214" that Paul wasn't the one to cut off any ears! Paul did stand by and supervise while Stephen was being stoned to death for his belief in the resurrected Jesus Christ.

Anyway, I'm having a hard time right now because there is a person in my life right now who I believe is a Christian, but has turned his life away and is in blatant disobedience, with his sexual addiction to pornography, his affairs outside of marriage, and his refusal to make reasonable restitution to his wife, whom he is divorcing.

This man is my son-in-law! It is so hard for me to even want the desire to pray that he would turn from his wicked ways. I commiserate with Jonah, who did not want the wicked people of Ninevah to repent. I don't want to be a "sweet-smelling fragrance" to this man. I know he is needy. He may be crying out in his own prideful way. I sure hope God uses someone other than myself to reach out to him. Right now all I can do is to pray that a bear will come and tear him to pieces.
Would you like to pray for me and my response and attitude?

Answer 5

there have been times that i was able to be used to reach people that no one would have taken the time to reach out to. we are all guilty at some point of judging by outward appearances or social status but with God all things are possible. thank you for this question and thank you for the answer you left on the question about Jesus being God. you hit the nail on the head and that was beautiful.

Answer 6

YES I do know someone who I talk to daily ON HERE who I have thought the exact same thing about-- this story of Paul being transformed, and saved. I hope and pray this happens to this person I speak to!

Answer 7

I've been asking for a Ananias to come into my life for quite some time now...

Answer 8

A Great Reminder! That'd make a great sermon! Even those we've considered beyond salvation, God doesn't! Fact is, He saves ALL the wrong people!

Answer 9

That's funny.. I am currently in Pauls situation right now. I almost felt as if I should giving up on this person, but I know that it is nothing but the devil speaking to my mind. I will be strong.

Thanks

Answer 10

YEs this has happend a lot. and when it happens I will always answer the call and do as God tells me to do. But I have learned to be sure its of God. Becuse I have ran into cases where I assumed this person was place in my vineyard, only to later discover this person was straight from the devil, sent to try and rob me of all God has given to me. Many of us that arent new Christians have experienced this and have learned to be sure what you see is someone place in your vineyard to truly assist, is one sent by God and not the enemy. He will teach us discernment of spirits of we seek that knowledge, and it sure saves ourself much heartache. They are those that dont want God, and never will. Hard to believe ,, but its true, and they want only to destroy the faith of a believer. We arent to operate in fear, absolutely not. BUt, we are to let God guide us into His ways, and WHO HE sends to us, and then victory will come. When its just others we think are from Him, it can bring us trouble till we do figure it out. Its got to be Gods way all the way for victory to come. Thanks newman, always love your questions.... God bless ya.