July 7, 2025

READY TO OBEY

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”

So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 9:10-12,17 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

In Acts 9, we see a powerful example of how God works through ordinary people and supernatural encounters to accomplish His purpose. Ananias was just an ordinary disciple in Damascus—someone like you or me. He wasn’t an apostle or a well-known leader. Yet God spoke to him in a vision, calling him by name: “Ananias!”

When Ananias responded, “Yes, Lord,” he probably didn’t expect the instructions he received next: “Go to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. Ask for Saul of Tarsus.” This was no small task—Saul was infamous for persecuting Christians. Ananias had every reason to be afraid and skeptical, but after expressing his concern, he chose to obey.

At the same time, God was speaking to Saul through a vision of Ananias coming to lay hands on him so he could see again. This is so significant: God didn’t just speak to one person; He confirmed His word through two separate visions. When Ananias arrived, Saul recognized that this was truly from God because it matched what he had already seen in his own encounter with Jesus.

In this moment of obedience and trust, two amazing things happened for Saul:

1. He regained his physical sight.

2. He was filled with the Holy Spirit—receiving spiritual sight and empowerment for his new calling.

This story reminds us that:

 God still speaks today—through His Word, through visions, and through other believers.

 Obedience sometimes requires overcoming fear and trusting God more than our own understanding.

 Words from others should confirm what God is already stirring in our hearts. Saul didn’t just accept a random stranger’s words; God had already prepared him to receive Ananias.

As 1 John 4:1 says, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” It’s wise and biblical to test what we hear—whether a dream, vision, or prophetic word. The Holy Spirit brings confirmation and peace, not confusion or manipulation.

Let’s be like Ananias—ready to obey God’s voice even when it feels risky—and like Saul, humble enough to receive ministry from others.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, help me to be open and attentive to Your voice—whether You speak through visions, dreams, Your Word, or other believers. Give me humility and discernment to test what I hear, and the courage to obey when You call. Amen.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”