Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Acts 8:26-29 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot."
ACTS OF GOD IN ACTS -- INSTRUCTION
Instruction is necessary for anyone who doesn't know what they’re doing. I was instructed in the seminary. I've been a pastor for about six years now. At times I feel unsure of all I have to do. But the hidden blessing in being unsure is that with prayer and studying the Word, our Savior gives us understanding. With that knowledge, as a disciple and student of Christ, I know that I'm never done learning and being instructed so I will never carry the burden of thinking "I know everything."
Yesterday's devotion focused on Saul's conversion and ended with his question, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Jesus told him. Jesus instructed Saul what to do next. Jesus didn't keep it a secret. He didn't leave Saul hanging after He brought Saul to faith. The same is true of Philip in Acts chapter eight. God instructed Philip to go and see the opportunity to share the Gospel to that Ethiopian.
As believers in Christ, we know what we are to be doing because we've been told. We've been instructed by our loving Savior to follow Him and "abide in His teaching," (John 8:31-32) to remain His disciples and continuous students. For Jesus teaches us the punishment and wages for sin is eternal death. Jesus teaches, as Philip taught the Ethiopian who was reading Isaiah, that He (Jesus) was willing to go the way of the cross for our forgiveness and eternal life.
Let's run with the Spirit like Philip did and overtake every opportunity to share the love of our sacrificial Lamb of God, Jesus Christ! 