“So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians.” Acts 8:27a.
Philip had received instructions from God through an angel to travel from the Samaritan city that he was in to the desert road leading from Jerusalem to Gaza. So he left as soon as he could and made his way toward Gaza. As he traveled along, he met an important official from the Ethiopian queen’s court. This eunuch was in charge of the whole treasury for the queen. He was an important person in Ethiopia.
As I think about this verse, what strikes me is that it was as he was “on his way” to following through with the instructions given to him, that Philip met the eunuch. It was as he was going – and, remember – at that point, Philip did not understand that meeting this man was the reason for this trip. He was not particularly certain why he was traveling the desert road, other than it was what God had told him to do. On his way – as he journeyed – he began to see God’s plan for him unfold and open up before him.
Many times in the past, I failed to move forward because I did not have the whole picture. And, because God had not unfolded it before me, I chose to wait, instead of moving forward. I have since learned, in my journey, that it may not be clear what is to happen next. What I do need to appreciate is that God unfolds situations before me as I step out in what I believe He would have me do. He steers me as I go, letting me know when I need to turn one way or the other, or to turn around all together. I do not need, indeed I most likely will not receive, the full, clear picture before stepping out.
Questions to consider: Have you ever not moved forward because you did not know the full picture of what was to happen? Are there any opportunities that the Lord opened up to you that you did not take advantage of because of waiting?
Prayer: Father, help me to step out and be “on my way” when I sense You calling me forward, even though I do not know the whole picture. Help me trust You to make it clear while I am on the journey. Amen.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
February 19, 2009 - Acts 8:26
“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road – the desert road – that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’” Acts 8:26.
While Philip was in the Samaritan city, telling all the people he could about Jesus, an angel appeared to him with a message. He was to now journey south to the desert road leading from Jerusalem to Gaza. Apparently, the angel didn’t have much more to say, and Philip began to make his way to where he was instructed.
As I sit and ponder this verse, my natural thoughts go toward wondering about the angel – How did Philip know that an angel appeared? How did the angel make himself known to Philip? What did the angel look like? – That kind of thing. In focusing that way, I almost forgot about the message that he brought. I was getting so wrapped up in thoughts about the angel that I wasn’t paying attention to the message. Now, the message given to Philip was not what I would call exciting, unless, of course, you don’t mind going in a completely different direction than you were heading, plus the desert wasn’t necessarily the “hot” spot (no pun intended!) to visit. Actually, what was exciting was that Philip had heard from God and was, now, obediently moving forward with all his heart to complete the task given him.
Question to consider: Do you tend to focus on the messenger, whoever that would be, or the message given? If an angel appeared to you, with a message from God, would I hear more from you about the angel or more about the message, no matter how dull it appears to you? On what is our obedience dependent?
Prayer: Father, thank You so much for Your communication with us in various ways. Help me to hear You and obey Your instructions – whether given by an angel or by any other method You choose. Help me to hear and to obey. Amen.
While Philip was in the Samaritan city, telling all the people he could about Jesus, an angel appeared to him with a message. He was to now journey south to the desert road leading from Jerusalem to Gaza. Apparently, the angel didn’t have much more to say, and Philip began to make his way to where he was instructed.
As I sit and ponder this verse, my natural thoughts go toward wondering about the angel – How did Philip know that an angel appeared? How did the angel make himself known to Philip? What did the angel look like? – That kind of thing. In focusing that way, I almost forgot about the message that he brought. I was getting so wrapped up in thoughts about the angel that I wasn’t paying attention to the message. Now, the message given to Philip was not what I would call exciting, unless, of course, you don’t mind going in a completely different direction than you were heading, plus the desert wasn’t necessarily the “hot” spot (no pun intended!) to visit. Actually, what was exciting was that Philip had heard from God and was, now, obediently moving forward with all his heart to complete the task given him.
Question to consider: Do you tend to focus on the messenger, whoever that would be, or the message given? If an angel appeared to you, with a message from God, would I hear more from you about the angel or more about the message, no matter how dull it appears to you? On what is our obedience dependent?
Prayer: Father, thank You so much for Your communication with us in various ways. Help me to hear You and obey Your instructions – whether given by an angel or by any other method You choose. Help me to hear and to obey. Amen.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
February 12, 2009 - Acts 8:20
“Peter answered: ‘May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!’” Acts 8:20.
When Simon the magician offers payment to receive the ability to do miracles through the Holy Spirit, Peter responds with this straight forward statement. But Simon didn’t really know what he was doing, and this was the only way he knew to obtain any new “magic” that he needed to maintain his livelihood. Peter, then, charged Simon to repent of his bitterness and his captivity to sin. Simon, to his credit, appears to have done just what Peter commanded.
This is quite a scene taking place in this Samaritan city. Simon, a powerful man in the city, is called out because of his sinfulness, and he responds by appealing to Peter for prayer. It could have been a tense moment, yet Peter stepped up to say what needed to be said in order to confront the problem. Simon was unable to see his problem clearly, yet he could have gotten really upset at Peter for his harsh treatment. It appears that he swallowed his pride and received Peter’s correction.
I must admit that there are times – many times – that I struggle to receive correction. My pride rises up within me, and before I know it, I am reacting all over the place. I either go into a funk, get angry, or have some other reaction but it all seems to come from those prideful thoughts that reside deep inside. Thanks be to God, for He is helping me to expose that problem and to deal with it, and I know that it is a long, painful process. My hope is that I continue on this journey and that God continues to help me deal with my pride.
Questions to consider: How do you handle being confronted with your problems or mistakes? What is it that rises up from within you that causes you to react in inappropriate ways? What can you do about it?
Prayer: Thank You, Father, for this confrontation of Simon by Peter and for Simon’s response. I pray that I would have a similar, humble response when confronted. Please help me to have the grace to receive correction, as from Your caring hand in my life. Amen.
When Simon the magician offers payment to receive the ability to do miracles through the Holy Spirit, Peter responds with this straight forward statement. But Simon didn’t really know what he was doing, and this was the only way he knew to obtain any new “magic” that he needed to maintain his livelihood. Peter, then, charged Simon to repent of his bitterness and his captivity to sin. Simon, to his credit, appears to have done just what Peter commanded.
This is quite a scene taking place in this Samaritan city. Simon, a powerful man in the city, is called out because of his sinfulness, and he responds by appealing to Peter for prayer. It could have been a tense moment, yet Peter stepped up to say what needed to be said in order to confront the problem. Simon was unable to see his problem clearly, yet he could have gotten really upset at Peter for his harsh treatment. It appears that he swallowed his pride and received Peter’s correction.
I must admit that there are times – many times – that I struggle to receive correction. My pride rises up within me, and before I know it, I am reacting all over the place. I either go into a funk, get angry, or have some other reaction but it all seems to come from those prideful thoughts that reside deep inside. Thanks be to God, for He is helping me to expose that problem and to deal with it, and I know that it is a long, painful process. My hope is that I continue on this journey and that God continues to help me deal with my pride.
Questions to consider: How do you handle being confronted with your problems or mistakes? What is it that rises up from within you that causes you to react in inappropriate ways? What can you do about it?
Prayer: Thank You, Father, for this confrontation of Simon by Peter and for Simon’s response. I pray that I would have a similar, humble response when confronted. Please help me to have the grace to receive correction, as from Your caring hand in my life. Amen.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
February 5, 2009 - Acts 8:18-19
“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, and said, ‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 8:18-19.
By this time, Peter and John had arrived in the Samaritan city in which Philip had proclaimed the good news concerning Jesus. Many people were responding the message, becoming followers of Jesus and being baptized in water. Peter and John began laying hands on these people so that they would receive an infilling of the Holy Spirit. Evidently, there was some outward manifestation of this indwelling, for Simon, the magician, wanted to purchase this “ability” so that whomever he laid his hands on would receive the Holy Spirit in the same manner.
I have been fortunate enough to have experienced some amazing occurrences in my journey with Jesus. I have seen people healed and set free from all kinds of oppression. And there have been times that I wish that I had that ability, and, I would hasten to add, not for all the right reasons. I wish I could say that I totally wanted God to get all the notice and attention, but that just wouldn’t be true. I really wanted, like Simon in these verses, to have the ability to do these amazing things, so that people would realize how “connected” I was to God and how “spiritual” they would think I was! Does that surprise you that I expressed this so openly? The truth of the matter is that each of us, to some degree, have similar frailties and feelings.
Questions to consider: Would you like to have similar gifting as did the disciples from these verses, or would you like to have some other gifting? What would you like for that to look like? For what reasons would you like to have this gifting?
Prayer: Father, thank You for putting me together the way that You did. In Your wisdom and creativity, You fashioned me this way for Your purposes. Help me to see how I can work toward Your purposes as we journey together. Amen.
By this time, Peter and John had arrived in the Samaritan city in which Philip had proclaimed the good news concerning Jesus. Many people were responding the message, becoming followers of Jesus and being baptized in water. Peter and John began laying hands on these people so that they would receive an infilling of the Holy Spirit. Evidently, there was some outward manifestation of this indwelling, for Simon, the magician, wanted to purchase this “ability” so that whomever he laid his hands on would receive the Holy Spirit in the same manner.
I have been fortunate enough to have experienced some amazing occurrences in my journey with Jesus. I have seen people healed and set free from all kinds of oppression. And there have been times that I wish that I had that ability, and, I would hasten to add, not for all the right reasons. I wish I could say that I totally wanted God to get all the notice and attention, but that just wouldn’t be true. I really wanted, like Simon in these verses, to have the ability to do these amazing things, so that people would realize how “connected” I was to God and how “spiritual” they would think I was! Does that surprise you that I expressed this so openly? The truth of the matter is that each of us, to some degree, have similar frailties and feelings.
Questions to consider: Would you like to have similar gifting as did the disciples from these verses, or would you like to have some other gifting? What would you like for that to look like? For what reasons would you like to have this gifting?
Prayer: Father, thank You for putting me together the way that You did. In Your wisdom and creativity, You fashioned me this way for Your purposes. Help me to see how I can work toward Your purposes as we journey together. Amen.
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