And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went. Acts 8:26, 27.
Notice how much effort was put forth for just one man, an Ethiopian.
This Ethiopian was a man of good standing and of wide influence. God saw that when converted he would give others the light he had received and would exert a strong influence in favor of the gospel. Angels of God were attending this seeker for light, and he was being drawn to the Saviour. By the ministration of the Holy Spirit the Lord brought him into touch with one who could lead him to the light.
Philip was directed to go to the Ethiopian and explain to him the prophecy that he was reading. “Go near,” the Spirit said, “and join thyself to this chariot.” … The man’s heart thrilled with interest as the Scriptures were explained to him; and when the disciple had finished, he was ready to accept the light given. He did not make his high worldly position an excuse for refusing the gospel….
This Ethiopian represented a large class who need to be taught by such missionaries as Philip—men who will hear the voice of God and go where He sends them. There are many who are reading the Scriptures who cannot understand their true import. All over the world men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in.
An angel guided Philip to the one who was seeking for light and who was ready to receive the gospel, and today angels will guide the footsteps of those workers who will allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify their tongues and refine and ennoble their hearts.
He who sent Philip to the Ethiopian councilor, Peter to the Roman centurion, and the little Israelitish maiden to the help of Naaman, the Syrian captain, sends men and women and youth today as His representatives to those in need of divine help and guidance
Conflict and Courage p. 332
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Prayer Requests
—–My son has abuses alcohol & me when he’s been drinking. Today I took a restraining. Order out. Because he threatened my life wile intoxicated & was told to take the threat seriously. None the less I feel terrible Help pray. Dennis
—–I just got a phone call from a mutual friend d of mine . a very dear friend of ours was taken to the hospital with heart problems.. they both live in the south.
she has been having very high blood pressure. and they gave her some BP medicine which she was allergic too. her name is Donna .please pray for her she is a good worker for the Lord . thank you . M.C.
—–There was a military plane crash near _____ on Saturday. My step son was 1 of 26 people on that plane. He survived, praise God. But 3 did not, 2 have been recovered, still looking for one. Please pray that the 3rd is found and for the grieving families. Judy
—–Prayers for a visitor we had at church last week. On his way home from the airport he pulled over and called 911. They rushed him to the hospital due to a potentially deadly heart attach. 99% blockage of one of the the arteries was the culprit. Joe
—–Please keep my daughter, Dale, in your prayers–seriously ill. Loraine
—–There is an apartment structure fire in ______. Four units are now unlivable and mostly destroyed. Please pray for those who have suffered the loss of everything and that they will recover. Along with finding Grace with God in their troubles. No one has more than serious smoke inhalation. Praise God. Also, pray for the fire fighters, paramedics and police officers that are there to help. These people need your prayers now. and may God be with them all. including our friend’s brothers and sisters who are giving aid now. TY.
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Dear Friends,
This morning we were looking at photos of Peter and Emma when Peter was born. It was so much fun to show the children what they looked like four and one-half years ago. As I think of a new life so beautiful and perfect, the words of the Psalmist come to mind. “Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” Ps 139:12-17 Our Great Creator says to us as He said to Jeremiah of old, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.” Jer 1:5 Think of it! Before we were even conceived, the Great King of the Universe had a plan for our life. Indeed, He knows each of us so well, that one-hundred years before Cyrus was born, He told Isaiah what he would do. “28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.” Isa 44:28-45:6
May our prayer be the words of the hymn written so long ago. “ Live out Thy life within me, O Jesus, King of kings!Be Thou Thyself the answer To all my questionings;Live out Thy life within me, In all things have Thy way!I, the transparent medium Thy glory to display. The temple has been yielded, And purified of sin;Let Thy Shekinah glory Now shine forth from within,And all the earth keep silence, The body henceforth beThy silent, gentle servant, Moved only as by Thee. Its members every moment Held subject to Thy call,Ready to have Thee use them, Or not be used at all;Held without restless longing, Or strain, or stress, or fretOr chafings at Thy dealings, Or thoughts of vain regret. But restful, calm, and pliant, From bend and bias free,Awaiting Thy decision, When Thou hast need of me.Live out Thy life within me, O Jesus, King of kings!Be Thou the glorious answer To all my questionings.May we allow our Dear Saviour work out His purpose in our life is my prayer.
Rose
Just for One Man