WHAT ABOUT THOSE OUTSIDE

Acts 22:12

Morning Meditation 12/17/2012

"And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,"

Acts 9:10-17, "And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost."

We Christians for the most part speak boldly of our faith in Christ when we are in a church meeting or meeting with a lot of fellow believers present. But the difficulty comes when we are alone with those who are outside the family of God. We are intimidated by the crowd and are afraid that they will turn against us.

Ananias did not try to hide his faith. He was willing to answer God's call to go and speak of Christ to one of the greatest enemies of the faith. Ananias discovered God had softened and saved Saul of Tarsus. The dreaded enemy of the faith had become a little lamb in God's family.

In a small country church a famous preacher was once called to conduct a meeting. Long before the service began the place was packed and every available seat was taken. The rest, who came late, were obliged to remain outside, crowding around the doors and windows. After the preliminaries were over, the speaker arose to address the congregation. He had not proceeded far when a voice from outside said, "Speak louder, we cannot hear you. Remember us who are outside."

We need to recognize the multitudes of those outside God's family. They will never find the entrance until they hear the gospel message. There is no other way. I spoke one time in a Church where a young mother of two children came forward crying. I dealt with her personally and she was gloriously saved. It was the first day she had come to this church. Needless to say that the church body and I were overjoyed that Satan had been robbed of another of his children and God had gained what Satan had lost.

Satan has a lot of power. He can destroy and blind those in his kingdom. But there is no darkness that the light of the Lord cannot penetrate. John 1:4-5, "In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." The word "comprehend" translates katalambano and means, "to seize upon, take possession of." Satan is powerless against Christ and His gospel.

This is good news for those who live in darkness. There is a door that leads into the light. Jesus is that door; John 10:9, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

Let's let our light shine to those who are outside. We are their only hope because with God there is no other way.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White