Ethiopian Eunch Baptized

PRAYER PRACTICE

Cup Prayer – This prayer will help you pour your heart out to God (Ps. 62:8). Begin with your hands folded together like an upside-down cup. Pour out before God all your fears, anxieties, guilt, sin and shame. Tell Him what troubles you. Take time to be specific. When you feel like you’ve poured out your heart, flip your hands over, folding them like an open cup, ready to receive from God. Sit in silence, asking God simply to fill you with His Spirit. If your mind runs back to sin, shame, anxiety or concerns of the day, flip your hands back over and pour it out to the Lord. When you are finished praying, read today’s Scripture and listen as God shares His heart back with you.

DAILY READING

Acts 8:26-39

Discussion questions

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

The Holy Spirit Has Work For You!

by Elaine Pierce

Today's passage is one that is very familiar to most of us who have been Christians for any length of time. We often refer to it as "Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch." Let's look at it and see how God uses Philip. Remember, this is taking place soon after Stephen's stoning. The faithful are being persecuted in Jerusalem and they are scattering throughout the region. One of the disciples, Philip, receives clear direction to travel south. He obeys this heavenly angel and goes.  

Note what verse 27 says: "on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch." Not "after he got there," but "on his way." He was open to God's leading on his journey. How often do I miss what God has for me because all I am concerned about is the final destination? I miss what he has for me when I focus on the end goal.

He is listening to the Holy Spirit, who tells him to approach the eunuch. The man is studying from the book of Isaiah. Instead of immediately telling him what the scripture means, Philip begins their conversation with a question: "Do you understand what you are reading?"  He doesn't assume that the man has questions. So often, I think I know what others want. Do I stop and listen? Do I ask questions?  

And then Philip shares the gospel with him. Often, this passage is pointed to as an example of cross-cultural evangelism. The Ethiopian is a gentile; Philip is a Jew. Thanks be to God that we have been grafted into the family of God! Don't worry that you don't have enough Biblical knowledge - God will give you the words to use. Remember, it's not about bringing glory to you, it's about shining God's light for others to see. 

And note that, once the eunuch receives the gift of salvation and is baptized, that "the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away." Philip was obedient to God's call, and after all, this wasn't about Philip - it was about bringing people into the kingdom. God had other work for Philip to do, and the eunuch went on his way rejoicing. We will meet him one day in heaven!

Who is God calling you to share the good news with today? Are you asking him to use you? What opportunities await those who are called to share the good news. That's us! Ask God for opportunities, and thank him when he brings them your way. Philip's work didn't end with sharing the gospel with this important man. 

Consider: God has people for all of us to love, to serve, and to bless. Thanks be to God for allowing us to join him in his work.