Here is the passage...
Acts 9 (New International Version)
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"
"Yes, Lord," he answered.The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Let me share with you a few of the key points that were revealed by the Spirit of God in this teaching....
- God created the Apostle Paul with a unique understanding of Roman politics, Greek culture, and Jewish religion. He would be instrumental in the Gospel being preached to new cultures.
- Saul (Paul) had a personal vision to deal with these followers of Jesus and imprison them. He wanted to save the city from Jesus.
- God had a long-term vision for Paul (Saul) to save the city through the hands of Paul.
- God had to "blind him" temporarily so he could "see" God's vision for his life.
- Saul had to have a season of "blindly following Jesus".
- Saul was called to a season of prayer and fasting. God is calling this church to a unique season of prayer and fasting.
- Saul launched his ministry from a position of prayer, fasting, and waiting on God's vision for His life.
- Saul had to wait until Ananias placed his hands on him.
- Ananias is a powerful name. The name is simply the Greek version of the Hebrew name Hananyah, meaning Jehovah (or The Lord) has been gracious! It also means "cloud of the Lord!"
- God's plan of action for ALC rotates around this cause of prayer, fasting, and waiting on God's vision to be revealed "one step at a time". We stay here until "the cloud of the Lord" moves us beyond this step.
- If we "get it right" in the "house of prayer", we'll have the strength and anointing of God to save an entire city, state, and nation.
- God will not allow me to be pre-occupied with "what's next"! He is challenging me to do "what is now"!
- God has chosen us as an instrument to carry His Name, His Spirit, and His Gifts, to a culture of people who have never received His full power.
- I am okay with being clueless beyond the "now Word" from God.
The time has come to go to another level. We will not move further UNTIL there is a cloud of "Grace, Glory and His Presence" moving us to another level. It will happen! God is about to move mightily in this church and city.
As a Pastor of a blessed and growing church, I am barraged with questions about "long term vision". It is certainly a legitimate question from an earth-view perspective. Truthfully, I am never at a loss for "vision". I "see" the future of the church and its operation as a power-filled house of worship 24/7/365. Every mentor and leader in my life has always challenged me to have a "vision". I was a visionary leader. I have never been challenged to be a "blind leader". The greatest challenge of this phase of my life will be finding comfort in blindness.
I am blindly following Him. I am clueless. I have had to "re: think" vision.
