Led

Led

Acts 8: ²⁹ Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

³⁰ So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

³¹ And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

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Watching the pins fall, I was amazed at the bowler. Strike after strike, I watched in awe. “Can you show me how to do that?” I asked. I paid for lessons. Every word spoken to me was like gold. I was thoroughly interested and absorbed the information like a sponge in water.

• When I seek knowledge, I look for some help.
• When I want to know something, I am open for suggestions.
• When I desire to learn, I look for a guide.

Two people were led in this passage of scripture. Philip was led to the desert and then the SPIRIT led him to the Ethiopian eunuch, who was reading the prophet Isaiah out loud.

The Ethiopian must have desired some help from anyone who would assist, because he read out loud, possibly in an inquisitive way. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The Ethiopian requested his guidance.

• GOD wants me to be open to learn about HIM.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS ways so I can have rest.
• GOD wants me to be led by the SPIRIT to receive teaching or to give it.

Surrender is required when being taught. It is difficult or impossible to teach about GOD to someone who is not open to hearing the information. GOD sends people to me to teach me about HIM when my heart is open to hearing from HIM.

It is not just about learning. GOD wants me to take what I learned and be willing to teach someone. HE then will send me to the right person at the right time. I am grateful for the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT.

• What are you looking for?
• Are you seeking knowledge to fill your desires?
• Will you steer your seeking to learn about JESUS who loved you enough to die for you and is alive, willing to save you today?

Priority

Priority

Acts 8: ²⁶ 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. ²⁷ 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, ²⁸ was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.

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“Take out the garbage” was the directive given to me. “Okay” was my response, but I was in the middle of a game with my friends. As the game went on, we got lost in the laughter. Eventually, my friends went home.

I walked past the seething cesspool of garbage and went to bed only to be awoken by the stench in the middle of the night. “I told you to take out the garbage. We cleaned out the refrigerator.”

• There were times when I said I would do something, but made it a low priority.
• There were times when I thought what I was doing was a higher priority.
• There were times when I should have prioritized something but did not and I faced consequence.

Philip was told to go to the desert by an angel of the LORD. He immediately obeyed, not knowing what he would find. He never questioned “How far?” or “How long should I be there?” He just went. When he got there, he met an Ethiopian eunuch who was worshiping the LORD by reading the prophet Isaiah. Philip’s obedience paid off.

• GOD wants me to listen to HIS directives HE gives me.
• GOD wants me to act on what HE says immediately.
• GOD wants me to accept what HE says as an act of obedience.

Acting with immediacy pleases GOD. HE guides by using HIS word and will not go against it. When HE says “Speak to that person about MY SON”, I should do it without hesitance. HE tells me to do things I don’t want to do like “Forgive that person” or “Stop doing that and follow ME.”

Obedience to GOD takes practice. HE wants me to let go of the things I prioritize over the things HE wants me to do. HE wants to be the priority each day. I am grateful GOD wants me to want HIM.

• Are you making GOD a priority?
• Do you make time to listen to HIM each day?
• Will you stop doing what you are doing and allow HIM to send you to who HE wants to send you to today?

I’ll Just Buy It

I’ll Just Buy It

Acts 8: ¹⁸ And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

²⁰ But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! ²¹ You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. ²² Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. ²³ For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

²⁴ Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”

²⁵ So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

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Hearing the preacher preach about giving, I felt led to fill up the offering plate. I mean if everyone in the small gathering knew what I did the night before, I would be embarrassed. “Maybe if I give money to a church, then my sinfulness will go away” I thought.

• There were times when I gave out of guilt.
• There were times when I thought I could give to a church so I could be forgiven.
• There were times when I tried to buy GOD’s favor because the preaching made me think that’s what HE wanted.

Simon saw GOD’s power being used through the apostles. He wanted to know how they had this special power and was willing to pay for it. Peter condemned Simon’s request because it was rooted from an evil desire to “buy power.”

• GOD wants me to ask HIM for forgiveness of my sins.
• GOD wants me to have a relationship with HIM that is not based on money.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS power but only to point people to HIM.

Wanting a person healed is a great desire. But when I want others to notice it was “my” prayer that healed the person then I start following Satan’s prideful path. GOD wants to be recognized for everything. HE wants me to guide people back to HIM and know HE accepts me just as I am.

I do not have to buy HIS favor for HE has already done enough for me. I cannot pay enough for what JESUS did for me. GOD wants my heart and my possessions. HE leads me to give directly to those in need but wants me to spread the great news about JESUS more than focus on giving money. I cannot buy GOD’s favor, but I can be thankful that HIS grace is sufficient.

• Do you feel guilty so you give to a group who are called a church?
• Can you recognize that the church of JESUS is made up of those who believe in HIM and HIS salvation cannot be purchased?
• Will you stop trying to buy forgiveness and praise GOD for salvation by telling people about HIS SON versus trying to get people to come to “your” gathering?

Head Knowledge

Head Knowledge

Acts 8: ¹⁴ Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ¹⁵ who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

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“Why do I have to know this?” I asked myself. I mean, I will never use this information. I sat in class and daydreamed, thinking of things I could be doing. I looked forward to my next class that was in my major and was only minutes away. I stopped listening and opened a book for the next class.

• There were times when I learned the information only to take the test.
• There were times when I understood the concepts but did not care about the information.
• There were times when I heard the information but did not take it to heart.

Philip preached about JESUS and many people understood and took action by being baptized. It was the right thing to do. But Peter and John were sent to pray for those who had this fresh knowledge. Many people accepted the HOLY SPIRIT in their hearts after the prayer and laying of hands.

• GOD wants me to plant seeds in the hearts of many.
• GOD wants me to know that someone else may water the seeds.
• GOD wants me to know that even someone else may see the increase of the seeds I planted in their heart.

Preaching about the great news of how JESUS saves  can sometimes be a group effort. Something I say can help a person stop rejecting JESUS, but this may only be temporary. Someone else may come along and say just the right thing to make it permanent.

When it comes to free will, we all have a choice to accept the HOLY SPIRIT or reject HIM. My life’s purpose is to help people accept HIM by believing they need to be saved by JESUS who died for us all and is alive because HE was raised from the dead. I have this belief in my heart.

• What do you know about JESUS and are rejecting?
• Are you trying to be GOD by thinking of your own concepts of what GOD is?
• Will you obtain “heart knowledge” by believing in JESUS as your Savior so you can receive the HOLY SPIRIT today, gaining everlasting life?

Not Me

Not Me

Acts 8: ⁹ But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, ¹⁰ to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” ¹¹ And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. ¹² But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. ¹³ Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

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“Who broke this?” was the question angrily asked to me. “Not me” I answered quickly, trying to protect myself. “Who left the window open while it was raining?” “Not me” was my go to answer that I had become good at saying. “Who cleaned up?” was asked in a delighted tone. “Me!” I said proudly as I beckoned for the credit.

• There were times when I wanted to be noticed for good thing “I” did.
• There were times when I did not want to accept responsibility for things others considered bad.
• There were times when I enjoyed the spotlight when things were going well.

Simon was a sorcerer who was able to do things people could not explain away with science. The people of Samaria held him in great esteem, as did he. But when Philip arrived and spoke about JESUS, they turned to belief in the Savior. Even Simon had to believe.

• GOD wants me to point my life to HIM.
• GOD wants me to give GOD all the credit.
• GOD wants me to claim that HE is the only one who is great.

“Not me” are great words to use when it comes to GOD. “Who saved me?” “Not me” will be the answer, because JESUS did that. “Who gave me gifts and talents?” “Not me” is the answer again, for all my abilities come from HIM.

GOD gave me everything I have and placed me in places I am amazed at. HE is my provider, protector and pursuer. I am grateful HE goes after me when I run away from HIM.

• Are you trying to get likes and congratulations from people?
• Do you seek public affirmation for what “you” do?
• Will you start giving GOD credit for your gifts and talents so people will believe in JESUS today?

Problem Purpose

Problem Purpose

Acts 8: ⁴ Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. ⁵ Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. ⁶ And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. ⁷ For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. ⁸ And there was great joy in that city.

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Running as fast as my out of shape body could go, I got to the gate too late. I missed the flight and was a bit frustrated. Fortunately, there was another flight so I asked to be placed on the list and got accepted. Parallel to this, my friends at home and I were going through a book, trying to grow in GOD. I read this on the flight.

The person next to me, on the rebooked flight, asked me about the book. We talked about GOD the whole flight and I was able to pray for her husband and son. I then told her about my quiet time with the LORD. She was retiring in another country and asked for the blog address. It is read quite heavily in that country to this day.

• Some problems I have faced have actually been a blessing.
• Some situations I have faced turned out to be exactly what I needed.
• Some trials I have faced happen for a great reason.

Because the people could not meet together, they spoke about JESUS where they were scattered to. Philip spoke so boldly in Samaria that many believed, were healed and unclean spirits fled. The city had great joy!

• GOD scatters me when I am complacent.
• GOD moves me when I am very comfortable.
• GOD send me when I am not expecting it.

“Be ready” is the term GOD wants me to carry. HE may send me out to speak about HIM, HIS SON and the HOLY SPIRIT at any moment. The responsibility is not on a church leader, rather it is on me. GOD wants me to preach HIS great news, especially during times of problems. I am grateful HE sends me during trials.

• Are you going through a large trial?
• Do you ask “Why is this happening?”
• Will you accept where you are and allow GOD to speak through you so you can be used to bless someone with encouraging words today?

Isolated

Isolated

Acts 8: Now Saul was consenting to his death.

At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. ² And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

³ As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

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After years of being the one who people sought after, I felt isolated in the new town. I did not know anyone other than my coworkers. And besides, who would go out to the not cool bars they had in this unheard of town. What was I going to do for “fun” now?

• There were times when I dreaded being alone.
• There were times when I felt isolated from “my” people.
• There were times when I was not able to be part of a social group and I did not enjoy it.

Saul consented the death of Stephen. Even more so, he started a great persecution of those who believed in JESUS as their Savior. Though people were scattered, he sent people to their homes, dragging them to prison.

• GOD sees me when I am separated from people.
• GOD knows I want to be around people but has a reason for separating me from the same old routine.
• GOD has a plan for me and is preparing me when HE separates me.

Isolation could be dreaded or embraced. I chose to embrace it. I wanted to clear up the misconceptions I had about this “GOD” being. I had to been to a lot of churches that spoke mostly about their brand and not about JESUS. Where to start?

GOD was gracious enough to have me read the book of John. When I saw in the first chapter that JESUS was GOD, I was shocked. It made me want to read this “bible” thing for myself. The isolation became welcome as it was a quiet place to learn about JESUS as part of the triune GOD. I am glad I went through the time of separation.

• Do you seek a crowd?
• Are you hungry for your social gathering?
• Will you embrace times when GOD separates you so you can quiet down and listen to HIM, while HE grows you?