Chapter 8 - The dispersion
Today’s Journey Through Acts excerpt is:
The Dispersion
As our journey through Acts moves into chapter eight, it's always surprising to watch the most difficult times that the early church faced were also the most fruitful. Verse three tells us that Saul was ravaging the church. The new believers were facing persecution like never before, and as a result of the increasing pressure, the believers began to disperse into surrounding regions.
When we come together as a church, we experience a richness that cannot be replicated anywhere else. I can recall so many church services where the Holy Spirit had been present in the room and moved in powerful ways. Although the final prayers had been prayed and the church service had long been dismissed, people would continue to linger - talking, laughing and enjoying the peace and unity of their faith community.
Like the early church, it's God's will for us to disperse. Thankfully, we are not facing persecution, but the Gospel always benefits when believers disperse. Due to the dispersion in Acts, one disciple - Philip - found himself in a divine appointment with a traveler from Ethiopia. Led by the Spirit, Philip took an opportunity to make a friend, and was invited to come sit with him. Verse thirty-five tells us that Philip began at the very scripture his new friend was reading and shared the story of Jesus. Moments later a new creature was born in Christ, and they found the first available water to hold an impromptu baptismal service!
When you finally break away from the post-service fellowship at the next church service that you attend, know that you have been sent like Philip. As believers, Sunday after Sunday we disperse to our communities. We disperse to our jobs or schools. We disperse to have our very own divine appointments with someone hungry for a real relationship with Jesus. Today, there are a few reminders from this passage for those who are being sent:
Verse 29 - Philip was listening to the Holy Spirit.
Verse 30 - He was bold enough to begin a conversation.
Verse 35 - Philip began right where the Ethiopian was at.
As we continue our journey, I pray that you sense the invitation to join God as He is at work in the people around you. When the Spirit nudges you, be bold enough to begin a simple conversation. Remember that it is not your job to fix anyone or save anyone. Sit with someone right where they're at, and watch the goodness of Jesus transform their life.
Reflect on the journey:
Are there people in your life that you sense God might be drawing unto himself? Would you be willing to write their name down and be faithful to pray for this person?
Through your prayer time today:
Do you remember who first shared Jesus with you? Maybe you can remember someone who was faithful in demonstrating the love of Jesus to you. If so, take some time to thank God for that person, and ask God's blessing over their life or the lives of their family. Secondly, take some time to ask God to allow you to be that person for someone else.
