Unstoppable! 'Even If It Means a Cross' — Acts 9:15-16

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

[Since Saul was persecuting Christians, Ananias was concerned that God wanted him to go share the message of Jesus with Saul.] But the Lord said, "Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake."

— Acts 9:15-16 NLT

Key Thought

Saul's calling from God was not only a holy mission but also a dangerous one. Just as Saul had inflicted suffering on many who loved Jesus, he would also suffer similar persecutions after he proclaimed Jesus as Lord and Messiah. While the message of Jesus was unstoppable, many opposed it. Saul, later known as Paul, experienced opposition, abuse, and martyrdom, but not before he took the Good News of Jesus to many places, including Rome (Acts 28:28-31). Paul was ready to suffer and face torture for his mission and for the sake of those who had never heard of God's grace in Jesus. From hunter to hunted, from persecutor to persecuted, this man Ananias baptized into Christ (Acts 9:18) completely changed the orientation of his life. In the process, he changed the world!

Today's Prayer

O Father, use my life to show Jesus to others. O Holy Spirit, give me courage as I embrace God's call on my life. O Jesus, use me to touch and bless people to bring them to you. I ask this for your glory and so others might receive grace. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

God's Chosen Instrument
Devo: Unstoppable!
"But the Lord said [to Ananias], "Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of..."
Stretching for Our Gods
Article by Patrick D. Odum
What are you willing to sacrifice to achieve or find? Patrick Odum reminds us that to grow we have to stretch, reach, and sacrifice but that is more than worth the effort because Jesus gives us back far more than we can ever give.
For All People
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious Believer, You were saved by grace when you fully trusted Me and participated in what I did to save you. This truth was the message that..."
Treacherous Travels
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Follower of The Way, Paul's path to Rome was difficult. First, he faced a series of legal hearings before he even left for Rome. Then, he faced...."
See All 6 Related Resources about Acts 9:15-16

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 9:15-16 NLT — [Since Saul was persecuting Christians, Ananias was concerned that God wanted him to go share the message of Jesus with Saul.] But the Lord said, "Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Living as a New Creation' (Ga. 6:12-18)
"Dear Father, creator of new creations, Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God's Power Over Death for Us!' (1 Co. 6:14)
"By his power God has raised the Lord from the dead and will also raise us from the dead."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Colossians 3:1-2
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above,..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Exodus 20:25
"God's altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labour might be seen upon it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange...."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!