DETAILS PLEASE

You know what I have found out about God in Acts 9 and 10?  God is the God of specifics or details.

In Acts 9:10-12 Scripture records:

"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."  

1. God calls Ananias by name!
2. God tells whose house He wants Ananias to visit ("the house of Judas")
3. God supplies the address ("on Straight Street")
4. God then tells Ananias what to do at that location by supplying him with gender, hometown, name, and what his target is doing at that moment. ("ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying")
5. God informs Ananias that Saul knows he is coming, what he is going to do, and the reason for his coming ("In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.")

The second instance of specifics is found in Acts 10:3-6.  Speaking to Cornelius, a God-fearing centurion in the Italian Regiment, an angel was sent to give him instructions.

"One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!"  Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked.The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.  Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.  He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea."  

1. What - "send men to Joppa"
2. Why - "to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter"
3. Where - "He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea."
4. Cornelius also got called by name!

The third example of God being specific or providing details is shortly after these men arrived at Simon the tanner's house.  Before the men arrive, Peter receives a vision from God that will change the course of his thinking and his belief system when it manifests during his first visit to a Gentile's home.  As Peter was waiting and thinking on things, God spoke to him.  Here is what Scripture says in Acts 10:19-20,

"While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you.  So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them."

1. God calls him by name! Love it!  - "Simon"
2. "three men are looking for you"
3. "get up"
4. go downstairs"
5. "Do not hesitate to go with them"
6. "I have sent them."

If God can be this detailed with Ananias, Cornelius, and Peter - I believe He will be at least that specific with you and me.  All three of these gentlemen were men of God.  Ananias was a "disciple".  Cornelius was a "God-fearing man".  Peter was a Holy Spirit filled Disciple of Christ.  They were all called by name.  There were plans, by God, for the lives of each one of these men that were NOT going to be thwarted.  

There is a Godly plan for each of our lives too.  Beware!  God may intervene in your life without you seeking Him and tell you like these examples above!  However, I believe we can seek God for the details.  Prayer and fasting are key avenues for these details to come.  Just prayer is a start.  Just fasting is a diet.  However, put these together with the Godly purpose of hearing specifics from God about your life and I believe - by faith you shall!  To make sure that the reader observes the sovereignty of God, I believe the author of Acts (Luke) desired for us to grasp that it is NOT the devil that is in the details, it is God!