HEED THE VOICE
Through the Book of Acts
Acts 7-8

Acts 7
:: The stoning of Stephen
..He gave all he got in sharing the Gospel.
..The glory of the Lord was upon Him.
..He was so filled with the Spirit that he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
..Only perfect people can see God (was Stephen perfect then? He saw Jesus - Son of Man)
..Saul was there giving approval to his death. (this event proved how he was an oppressor to the followers of The Way)

Acts 8
:: The persecution of the church and they were scattered around
..Saul began to destroy the church; dragging off men and women and put them in prison.

:: Philip in Samaria
.. He preached the Word there. (Acts 1:8 ...Samaria)
.. The miracles that Philip did, made the people pay more attention to what he was talking about.

:: Simon the sorcerer
.. He practiced magic and people believed him.
.. Heard Philip, believed and was baptized; followed Philip around.
.. Peter and John was sent to Samaria after hearing the great news of how they receive the Gospel.
.. Peter and John laid their hands on the people and they were received the Holy Spirit.
.. Simon the sorcerer was amazed and wanted to "buy" this power with money.
.. Peter rebuked him.
.. Simon the sorcerer asked for prayer that it won't happen to him (what Peter said in his rebuke).
.. No records after that regarding Simon the sorcerer.
.. Peter and John went back to Jerusalem evangelizing in Samaritan villages.

:: Philip and the Ethiopian
.. Philip was told to go south the desert road - going from Jerusalem to Gaza
.. He met an Ethiopian eunuch - an important official in charge of the treasury of Candace, queen of Ethiopians
.. Philip, told by the Holy Spirit to stay near the chariot where the eunuch was reading the book of Isaiah, not understanding what he was reading about.
.. The eunuch asked if Philip could explain what it was talking about - Philip got to share the Gospel.
.. As they were traveling down the road, the eunuch asked to be baptized (the physical evidence of salvation); he got baptized.
.. The Spirit of the Lord took Philip away and appeared again at Azotus preaching the Gospel in all towns until he reached Ceasarea.
.. It wasn't said the the eunuch freaked out


// Hmmm..

Philip was sensitive to the Spirit. All he did was share the Gospel. God can direct us to "weird" circumstances not knowing what God has in-stored for us in the task of sharing the Gospel. If Philip didn't heed the voice of the Spirit to stay near the eunuch's chariot, the eunuch wouldn't have been saved. The eunuch had great influence in the queen of Ethiopians since he worked there in the treasury. I'm sure God has used him in that influence (of course it wasn't recorded, this is just an assumption).

// Belle..

Acts 8:29
The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

I need to be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading in my life - even in circumstances that may seem odd, weird, or unusual to me. If the Spirit tells me so, I must heed it even not knowing what awaits me there. I will test to see if that OF God's Spirit first, of course and then proceed to what is being asked of me. I'm sure salvation awaits there - that's one thing I am sure about. Wherever God leads me, the goal is to share salvation and the love of God.

// Lord, you are awesome. Please help me to be discerning of Your Spirit that I will not be guided by my own will anymore. Thank you for the example of Philip that shows us how important it is to heed the voice of Your Holy Spirit. I pray that you will give me opportunities to share your love today and everyday of my life. In Jesus' name, amen.