Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Journey with the Risen Christ

Acts 8: 26-40
In Acts 8: 26, we identify the Lord coming in the form of an angel to Philip telling him to go south to the road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza. Here we can see Philip encountering an Ethiopian eunuch who was an official, in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake. The man was in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet, and the Spirit told Philip to stay near the chariot. Philip then asked the man if he understood what he was reading, however the man needed further explanation of what he was reading. They traveled with one another and came to the water in which the eunuch wanted to be baptized. Both Philip and the eunuch went to the water and Philip baptized him, however the Spirit of the Lord immediately took Philip away and the eunuch hasn't seen him since. The eunuch continued to rejoice and call on the Name of the Lord.

We can identify two major claims represented:

1) God puts us in the right place at right times:

In all things that may come up in our lives, it is for a specific reason. We may face a certain trial, temptation, or something lively that can impact our lives. However God does this to affect our lives in a positive manner. As we saw the eunuch had experienced the presence of Philip at the specific time when he was in his chariot. God had also told Philip to go over to the chariot, and Philip was able to introduce the love of Christ into the eunuch’s heart.

2) The uplifting of the Holy Spirit

Once the eunuch had met Philip and they were walking, the man spotted water and wanted to be baptized. We can experience that the eunuch was spiritually grown by the first encounter of knowing God. Right after he was baptized we can see that he was rejoicing, and haven’t seen Philip since. This shows the spontaneous love of Christ and his rapid love that grows in our hearts constantly. 
 
Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank you for constantly reminding us of your great love. Please strengthen us to identify your true grace and to understand that all things are from you. Please allow us to greatly experience the Holy Spirit and live according to thy will. In Jesus’ Most Precious Name. Amen

Thought for the day:
““When we invite the Holy Spirit into our decision-making processes he will always bear witness through the peace of Christ Jesus.” - John Bevere


Jason Mathew
Epiphany Mar Thoma Church

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