Next Step
For those of you who didn’t catch this last week we are reading and discussing Acts this month. This morning as I read chapter 8 I prayed that I would live like Philip. He was so in tune with the Holy Spirit that he was receiving step by step guidance.
29The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”30Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.31“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Philip felt the Holy Spirit impressing on his heart to walk next to this Chariot. So he just gets up close to it and because he obeyed he was able to lead this influential man to Christ and baptize him. What would happen if we lived this way. If throughout the day we looked and listened for promptings from the Holy Spirit. I have had many similar experiences. It is so exciting when it happens. Lets intentionally be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and listen for the next step. It could be as simple as go stand next to that person.
I will try to listen carefully Jimmy because i
sure do love God and want to know more and
more about Him everyday. I’m reading too and can feel the excitement boiling in me as I keep going and learning more.
I really love God and am so thankful for His
love too!! If only I could live like Philip too!!
That will be my prayer for today, Thanks Jimmy!!
Acts 8 is full of good stuff. It further emphasizes, along with the rest of the book, the importance and necessity of baptism. Whether you believe that you are saved at baptism or that baptism is in response to salvation already secured, the fact remains that in Acts people heard, believed and were quickly baptized. Jesus and those that preached the Good News commanded it and people obeyed that command.
Persecution is good for the church. It scattered the disciples and the gospel spread throughout the world. Maybe we need some persecution, as well.
Acts 8:18 reveals that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit were limited to apostolic times, the lives of the apostles, and were to confirm that the teachers and teachings were from God.
Those were exciting times. When one is “in step with the Spirit” and working hand in hand with God, the excitement is contagious. Let us get on fire, be filled with the Spirit, and turn our world upside down as did the early disciples.
I think it would truly be a great thing if people were more sensitive to listening to the holy spirit, I will try harder to listen for promptings from now on
I wish I could hear God so clearly. I feel like I would do anything if I just knew what to do. But then again, am I hearing and giving myself every reason in the world not to respond. Going to start reading Acts TODAY!
Just start with listening and obeying today and repeat it tomorrow and you’ll end up with a life that was sensitive to the Spirit.
Just read chapter eight, I liked where Simon heard Phillip preach and turned his life to God. I think its so cool how one person can impact your life. But I’m kind of confused because then it talks about how Peter says Simon’s heart is not right with God.. Can you explain?
Lindsey
We are reading Acts right now and my favorite verses are 26 through 40. It talks about Philip and the Ethiopian. The Ethiopian was learning and letting God into his heart all at the same time. Then when the Ethiopian was baptized and Philip disappeared to somewhere else and instantly started speaking the word of God.
I agree with you, Jimmy. Phillip was definitely in tune with the Holy Spirit. I feel that I am probably given opportunities to share Christ in many different ways more often than I realize . I am concerned that I often may not see these opportunities that God is giving me. I pray that in the future my eyes, and heart, will be more open to His guidance and direction.
Sure Lindsey. His heart was right in that he repented and believed Christ. Later the text indicates that Simon wanted to purchase the power that the apostles possessed. His motives were messed up. Peter was pointing out his impure motives. The text seems to indicate that Simon repented of this too.
Is it ok to have two posts? This book, called Acts of the Apostles, would be more accurately called The Acts of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit acts through a disciple great things happen. What always happens is that people accept Jesus Christ. Today’s churches lack of evangelism must be evidence of the lack of the moving of the Holy Spirit. Is my own lack of spreading the Good News evidence of the lack of the Holy Spirit’s fire in my life? I get that fire by asking for it, by studying God’s Word and obeying what I read and, then, being open to the Spirit’s leading which may be nothing more than discrete nudgings that I have to be alert for. The key, I believe, is obedience in the things I know so I will be prepared to obey in those things that take more faith, the things I may not know.
Jim Couch…don’t feel like the Lone Ranger. Still learning to listen here as well.
Share as often as the Spirit leads Richard.
Dan I love it that you are encouraging Jim. That’s awesome!
Maybe sometimes we try too hard to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit and overlook a presented opportunity. Many times it can simply be lending an ear to a hurting co-worker. A pat on the back when someone is having a bad day or even a smile. We all lead very busy lives but have the time to do these things. You might be surprised at what God can do with something so simple.
I agree Donna. Its really quite simple we just need to pay attention.
Each of you are amazing people. I am Blessed to be part of a church that can communicate this way.
Donna you couldnt be more right. You have no idea the impact you had by just sitting with my brother and I in that hotel room in Houston that night we were completely devistated to find our cousins were getting a divorce and simply being there while we cried. We were young and didnt understand and you just lent a shoulder to cry on. I still think about that act of kindness and thank God for you.
Just a cup of water.
Thank you Dustin. You just reemphasized the point I was making. I wished I could say I remember that night but I don’t. However, I have no doubt the Lord put me there for a reason. I am just thankful He was able to use me in such a simple way. How many times does the Lord use us and we don’t even realize it? That is what is so amazing and humbling.
Thanks Jimmy! That makes more sense.
- Lindsey:)