Philip hears an angel giving him a direction to go. Not so much as a detailed plan of what to do. But, to go! And he does. Acts 8:26
When Jesus was with the disciples, they had a hard time following directions. For example, Thomas---I will not believe until I see His nail-scarred hands. No direction taken.
The disciples moved in fear. When asked a question, Peter cowered and said he never even knew Jesus. But here's, a courageous Philip asking if a court official understands what he is reading. May I jump in your chariot? Philip opens his mouth and tells the good news! And the eunuch wants to be baptized! Acts 8:30
Then the Spirit carries Philip away! That's most unusual and scary to me. Not so, though. Philip finds himself in Azotus and starts preaching! Acts 8:40
This story amazes me. Jesus had been with most of these guys for 30 years. One day, He is gone. A grave is empty. And no one sees Him up in the air. They are grieving over the loss and He starts appearing from the Other Side---the inside of them. He now lives inside. And look what is happening in these men that didn't happen when He was physically present. And! He still lives today, inside me and you if we invite Him in! Am I listening for the stirring of the Spirit of God in me? What is so of God this day that I know I can't explain it any other way? May I jump in your chariot?
"The meaning of anything is more than its visible presence. There is a soul in everything and that soul is the meaning of it. The soul of the world and all its beauty has come nearer to you because you have been separated from it for a time." George MacDonald
Some take aways for me from today's reading:
ReplyDelete1. Philip heard and responded to the Spirit's prompting.
2. The eunich was ready to hear.
3. Philip boldly told the Good News.
3. The eunich responded and was saved.
4. Philip found himself in a new place and started preaching again.
So,
Witnessing requires a response from the Holy Spirit to go and tell, and for the hearer to be ready.
Wherever you go, there you are. Same purpose, same Spirit of power, same Message, same reaction.
Reading Scripture requires a response.
Hearing the Spirit requires obedience.
Letting God lead you will take you to places that are probably not on your plan or course.
His power and Word are always readily available even on a road trip.
We have the same purpose. Go and tell.
Please pray for a friend of ours. He is in ICU at death's door. His name is Jack, and his wife is Bonnie. They both are Christians, but Jack has been her rock for many years. He is in renal failure, and barring some miracle, he is hours from death. The vigil has been going on since Friday morning. So they are tired. Please pray for Him to invade this nightmare and comfort and heal, and in His mercy, see Jack to his Reward.
I sat here tonight reading Jesus Calling and today's reading said for me to just rest in Him. I had read it this morning and needed to do that all day today. I had an interview and it was before a panel. The stress could have been great...but I remembered to listen to my direction and just rest.
ReplyDeleteThe interview went fine and I thank Him for the peace.
I felt His Presence. His Spirit.
The Spirit just came and took all my fear and tension away! He is so real.
Tonight, my quiet time was reading this same reminder to rest in Him. To drink deeply of His Peace.
I got out my hymnal and just sang to Him.
In The Garden
It Is Well
Sweet Hour of Prayer
And I could feel that Sweet Holy Spirit in me. I don't know if any of you feel His Presence, but it feels like power.
Take time to worship Him in song.
Annette, a prayer for Jack.
Lord God, be near to Jack and his family. Overshadow them with Your Spirit. Heal him if it be your will. Let Your Glory be in this need. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Jan, I am so very sorry about Raquel. May God be mighty in every hurting heart. I pray that some will be saved through this tragedy.
May each one of us be so sensitive to the Spirit of the Lord.