April 2, 2009 - Acts 8:36

“As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?’” Acts 8:36.
The Ethiopian eunuch had invited Philip into his chariot to discuss a portion of the writings of Isaiah. He did not understand who the author was writing about, and asked Philip to explain. In doing so, Philip told him all about Jesus, the One to whom Isaiah was pointing. During the conversation, the eunuch must have become convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, and requested that Philip baptize him, since they had come upon some water.
One of Jesus’ last instructions recorded before His return to the Father (in Matthew 28:19) was this: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Philip, having been directed to do so, was following through with his Master’s instructions. As a result, the eunuch became convinced that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. He was baptized and then took the Good News of Jesus back to his country and to the continent of Africa. Philip had obeyed Jesus’ simple instructions: to go, to disciple, and to baptize.
Sometimes, I sit around, waiting for some grand plan from God, instead of moving forward with one or two simple instructions on which I need to follow through. This is a prideful thing on my part, and I recognize my need to choose to humble myself in order to do the simple things that I need to do. It is a wonderful practice for me to remember to do those simple things, for it does keep me in a place of humility under His Lordship. Philip was obedient to these simple instructions, and, as a result, imagine how many lives were transformed.
Questions to consider: Has God given you a few simple instructions to follow through with? What are they? Are you doing them? If not, why not?
Prayer: Father, thank You for caring for me in such a personal manner that You have given me some simple instructions for me to do? Help me to be faithful to obey You and to complete that which You have given me to do. Amen.