the convertible on straight street
"Saul saw in a vision a man named Ananias coming to him and placing his hands on him so that he might recover his sight." —Acts 9:12
The Lord still converts Sauls into Pauls whenever He can find Ananiases who will obey Him. He turns persecutors into missionaries when He can find people who will risk their lives for the Gospel. If the Lord can get an Ananias to go to Straight Street, He'll back up this Ananias with signs and wonders.
Those who profess their faith will "expel demons," "speak entirely new languages," "handle serpents," "drink deadly poison without harm," and cure the sick by laying their hands on them (Mk 16:17-18). God will give Ananiases power to remove scales from the eyes of Sauls, baptize them, and through grace they will be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17-18).
Where's the last place in the world you want to go and who's the last person in the world to whom you want to witness? That's your Saul. That's where the power is, the victory, and the conversion of the "unconvertible." That's the opportunity to make your act of faith. The Lord says: "Go at once to Straight Street, and at the house of Judas ask for a certain Saul of Tarsus" (Acts 9:11).
Prayer: Father, I went by Saul's house today but I was afraid to go in. I repent and go in Your name.
Promise: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation. The man who believes in it and accepts baptism will be saved; the man who refuses to believe in it will be condemned." —Mk 16:15-16
Praise: "Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? And are you not my work in the Lord?" (1 Cor 9:1). St. Paul, pray for us!
Reference: (For a related teaching on The Challenge of Making Disciples in a Culture of Death, order, view or download our leaflet or order, listen to, or download our CD 97-1 and CD 97-3 or DVD 97 on our website.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 2, 2019
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