Tuesday, October 2, 2007
On His Way Rejoicing
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.
—Acts 8:35
The Bible tells the story in Acts 8 of a very empty man who met a very satisfied one. The former, an Ethiopian official, had everything this world could offer: power, wealth, influence, and fame. Yet there was a gnawing emptiness deep inside that sent him on a search for God.
The latter, Philip, had already found what the Ethiopian was searching for. He did not have earthly power, wealth, or fame, but he did have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. And when these two men met, it became the happiest day in the Ethiopian’s life. He went on his way rejoicing (see Acts 8:39).
I don’t know why God uses people to reach people. It is amazing to me. I don’t understand it. I don’t know why verbally communicating these truths is the primary way God chooses to save men and women. But this is the method He has chosen. It seems to me that it would be a lot easier if God were to just call us at home or perhaps raise up an army of angels, wings and all, to go out and proclaim the gospel. Instead, He has chosen to use flawed people like you and me.
Have you ever led anyone to Christ? I am sure most of us have shared our faith in some capacity. But have you ever said to someone, “Would you like to give your life to Jesus Christ right now?”
Sometimes you may think you are not getting through to people, but God is speaking to their hearts. They just may surprise you and want to believe. And then they, too, will go on their way rejoicing.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions,