Many Christians today believe that our Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit and indeed the Lord Jesus, will only communicate and flow through the finest biblical scholars, the greatest preachers, the Internet evangelists and of course their local pastors. I believe that the Lord can flow through anyone who has the Spirit of God, provided God wills to do so, provided he or she expects it to happen. And provided their motivation is love and a desire to see others blessed.
Today we look at a certain disciple named Ananias. That is all we know about him and yet as the Lord willed he received a word of knowledge, a word of wisdom, a gift of healing and a working of a miracle as he ministered to and laid hands on Saul who was later to become the Apostle Paul.
Acts 9 v 10, “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.”
Here we have word of knowledge, the Lord communicating by way of the breath of the Holy Spirit : by way of voice or vision.
Verse 11, 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.”
Ananias receives a word of wisdom from the Lord, essentially what action to take with spiritual information given.
Verse 12, “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.”
More spiritual knowledge received through the spirit to his spiritual mind.
Verse 13, Then Ananias answered,” Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your Saints in Jerusalem.
Verse 14, “And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
Remember this is all happening in a vision from the Lord. Here we have Ananias enquiring as to whether the Lord knows how dangerous Saul is to all those that call on His name! Bad idea Ananias!
Verse 15, But the Lord said, “Go.” He repeats the word of wisdom; “for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.”
Ananias is still receiving words of knowledge, by vision. It finally ceases in verse 16 and Ananias obeys the Lord’s word of wisdom and goes.
Verse 17, And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight(gift of healing) at once (working of miracles)
In these verses we see the Lord in a vision, imparting to Ananias, a disciple, spiritual information, specific spiritual instructions: who to go to, where to find him, what to do when he arrived and what would happen if he heeded the Lord’s instructions. He did and Saul was miraculously healed. His sight was restored immediately and he was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Ananias was just as we are: simply disciples. Yet he believed that it was the voice of the Lord. He followed the Lord’s instructions. He believed that when he laid hands on Saul, by the power of the Holy Spirit, not his power, Saul would be healed instantly.
The Lord can flow through anyone who has the spirit within them.
Can I encourage you to listen for a word of knowledge, to obey a word of wisdom, to expect a gift of healing immediately and see a soul delivered and set free?
Have a glorious day!