Acts 8

At the start of this chapter, we see that the early Christians were being persecuted, so I guess they fled. At least, that's what I assume "they were scattered" means. But did this mean defeat for those early believers? Did the enemy triumph that day? Absolutely not! God used what was intended for evil to bring about good in this situation, as he so often does: "Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word" (Acts 8:4). Rather than squelching the spread of the Good News, this persecution promoted it. You know, I sometimes think we need a little more persecution in our Christian lives. In this country anyway, it's easy to get comfortable in our private, personal faith, forgetting those who have yet to hear the name or offer of Jesus Christ. Persecution changes that: it forces people to choose passion for their living God, if that's the choice they make. But hot or cold, persecution leaves no room for lukewarm. I'm not sure I really want to pray for persecution in my own life, but I do pray for passion at any cost.

Later in the chapter, the Lord arranges a divine meeting between Philip and a court official for the queen of Ehiopia. Philip hears the eunuch reading from the prophet Isaiah and asks him if he knows what it means. "And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him" (Acts 8:31). Now, this guy was obviously hungry for God. He was searching the Scriptures and actively pursuing truth, so naturally Philip told him the good news about Jesus. I like to think that if I were in Philip's shoes I could do the same thing. But what about the others we encounter in this life who are maybe searching in the wrong place, or maybe don't even know where to begin their search for truth? Or what about those people who are lost but don't realize it, or who are so lost they've lost the hope to be found? Can we, like Philip, meet them where they are? Can we also explain how Jesus alone can meet their every need? I wish I were better at recognizing and explaining what I know to be the only solution to all of life's problems: Jesus. Praying for the Spirit's guidance tonight, and the boldness to speak truth when the opportunity arises.