SCRIPTURE: Acts 8
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. [Matthew 10:18]
Jesus predicts the persecution that will happen against His followers.
On account of their faith in Jesus, the believers are scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
From our limited perspective, we see this as hard, as unfair.
If we were forced from our homes because of Jesus, we would be overcome with despair or anger.
But notice what Jesus says, that this persecution will lead us to opportunities of witness.
Look at the believer in Acts 8:4 – those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
We see our circumstances as obstacles, God sees them as opportunities.
We whine in times of hardship, these believers witnessed!
We marvel that Paul and Silas could sing in prison, and experience an amazing God-moment as a result [Acts 16:25-34], but do we sing in our prisons (real or figurative)?
How many God-moments do we miss because we are more upset by our suffering than open to God’s purpose?
How many conversion experiences in others do we miss because instead of shining like stars in the darkness, we complain just like everyone else [Philippians 2:14-16].
Philip is driven to Samaria because of the persecution.
Persecution is bad, but Jesus is bigger than persecution.
It’s all unfolding according to His plan, the message is going from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, to the ends of the earth [to Ethiopia, see Acts 1:8].
We are called to be witnesses – EVERYWHERE!
Not just in the places we want to be, the places we choose to be.
But even when, against our will, we are brought into places we would rather not be.
A rotten job, a hospital ward, a difficult church, an unemployment office, a miserable employer, a financial tight spot, a doctor’s office with bad news.
If we only see the bad stuff, we will fail to see the God stuff.
Who knows, God may use your testimony to convert a future evangelist.
God may use your testimony to lead someone to dedicate their lives to fight AIDS in Jesus’ name.
God may use your testimony to bring the gospel to Saudia Arabia.
Stranger things have happened, and He delights in doing the strangest of things.
May we not be whiner but witnesses for Jesus, wherever God sends us!
PRAYER:
Lord, I am guilty of seeing obstacles, not opportunities. Open my eyes to see the God-moments you place before me each and every day.
Pastor Norm had a regular refrain while I attended the church he pastored – Where did you see God today?
God’s people are called to serve. When? In all circumstances. I need to see Him always and not just when things are going my way. Look at the many champions of the faith – Joseph, Philip, Paul, etc how things were not going their way yet they were part of His plan proclaiming what was asked, driven by His Spirit. In all circumstances, God is at work. Trust and Obey and He will provide. Open my eyes Lord so I may see how You are at work in ALL circumstances in the lives of Your people. Stand up for Jesus. I must be totally dependent on Him. Emmanuel – God with us. I need to go forward in that power at all times. And as I read in today’s reading, He does provide all what is needed. SpiritDriven. GodPower.
Open my ears Lord, so I hear that This is the way to go.
Open my eyes Lord so that today I will see You.
Your will be done, Lord.
Come to the Savior now,
He gently calleth thee;
In true repentance bow,
Before Him bend the knee;
He waiteth to bestow
Salvation, peace, and love,
True joy on earth below,
A home in Heav’n above.
Come to the Savior now,
Ye who have wandered far;
Renew your solemn vow,
For His by right you are;
Come, like poor wand’ring sheep
Returning to His fold;
His arm will safely keep,
His love will ne’er grow cold.
Come to the Savior, all,
Whate’er your burdens be;
Hear now His loving call,
“Cast all your care on Me.”
Come, and for ev’ry grief
In Jesus you will find
A sure and safe relief,
A loving Friend and kind.