Tag Archives: Philip

Max Lucado – Letting God’s Spirit Lead

May 1, 2015 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

In Acts 8:26-27, an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go to that chariot of the Ethiopian and stay near it. So Philip ran toward the chariot.” The two have a Bible study in the chariot. It’s so convincing that the Ethiopian is baptized that day. Philip teaches, the Ethiopian obeys, and the gospel is sent to Africa.

Romans 8:14 says, “the true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them.” You invite a couple over for coffee. Nothing heroic. Just a nice evening with friends. But from the moment they enter, you feel led to inquire, you feel a concern that won’t be silent. So you ask. You catch a glimpse of what it means to be led by the Spirit. Has it occurred to you? You have the same Spirit working within you that Philip did! Think about that.

From When God Whispers Your Name

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Ready and Willing

November 22, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” —Acts 8:30

Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?

That was the question the Ethiopian dignitary had for Philip (see Acts 8:34, NLT). It’s a good thing Philip knew the Bible because if he didn’t, he would have had to say, “I don’t know. Can I get back to you?” But this was an opportunity that had to be seized.

That is why the Bible reminds us time and time again to prepare ourselves for such opportunities. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, NLT).

Philip had prepared himself for the opportunity that was waiting for him. And you must prepare yourself for the opportunity that might be waiting for you today, tomorrow, or the next day.

I have found that when I am sharing the gospel—whether it’s preaching or one on one—the most powerful tool I have is the Word of God. In speaking of His Word, God said,

The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. (Isaiah

55:10-11, NLT)

I know that Greg Laurie’s word can accomplish zero sometimes. But God’s Word “always produces fruit” (verse 11). Let’s hide it in our hearts and minds. Then, like Philip, we’ll be ready for the opportunities God sends our way.

Today’s devotional is an excerpt from Every Day with Jesus by Greg Laurie, 2013

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Without Question

November 21, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” —Acts 8:26

Philip was used to leading others to Jesus because he was obedient. How easily Philip could have argued with the angel who gave him these instructions from the Lord: “Arise and go toward the south.” But why? Philip had been preaching in the city of Samaria, and revival was breaking out. And now God was sending him alone into the desert?

It helps to know a little about the geography, the lay of the land. The angel was telling him to travel about eighty miles from where he was. If you were to make the trip today, you would hop in your car and be there in a little over an hour. But Philip had to walk. And let me clue you in: eighty miles is quite a hike. It would have taken days for him to reach his destination—with no 7-Elevens or McDonald’s along the way.

Note that the Lord didn’t say, “There are people waiting to hear the gospel.” He simply said, “Go to the desert.”

How easily Philip could have said, “Excuse me, but the apostles and the other believers in Jerusalem are at least thirty miles closer. Couldn’t You call one of them? I’m busy here. I’m not the only Christian around. Couldn’t You call on someone else?” Yet we don’t read of Philip saying anything like that.

Sometimes God will tell us to do things that may not make sense at the moment. But who are we to question the wisdom of God? That is why Philip was a man whom God could call on. Philip recognized that God knew exactly what He was doing.

Do you recognize that too?

Today’s devotional is an excerpt from Every Day with Jesus by Greg Laurie, 2013

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Overcoming Pessimism

May 17, 2014 broboinhawaii 1 Comment

The twelve apostles included “Philip” (Matt. 10:3).

It’s been said that an optimist sees a glass half full; a pessimist sees it half empty. An optimist sees opportunities; a pessimist sees obstacles. In one sense Philip was an optimist. He recognized Jesus as the Messiah and immediately saw an opportunity to share his discovery with Nathanael. In another sense, Philip was a pessimist because on occasions he failed to see what Christ could accomplish despite the apparent obstacles.

On one such occasion Jesus had just finished teaching and healing a crowd of thousands of people. Night was falling and the people were beginning to get hungry. Apparently Philip was responsible for the food, so Jesus asked him, “Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?” (John 6:5). Philip said, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little” (v. 7). In other words, “We don’t have enough resources in our whole savings account to buy enough food for a group this size!” Philip’s calculating, pragmatic, pessimistic mind could reach only one conclusion: this is an utter impossibility.

Jesus knew all along how He was going to solve the problem, but He wanted to test Philip’s faith (v. 6). Philip should have passed the test because he had already seen Jesus create wine from water at the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11). Despite Philip’s failure, Jesus didn’t give up on him. Instead, from five barley loaves and two fish He created enough food to feed the entire crowd, thus replacing Philip’s pessimism with a reaffirmation of divine sufficiency.

There’s a little of Philip in each of us. We’ve experienced God’s saving power and have seen Him answer prayer, yet there are times when we let pessimism rob us of the joy of seeing Him work through obstacles in our lives. Don’t let that happen to you. Keep your eyes on Christ and trust in His sufficiency. He will never fail you!

Suggestions for Prayer: Memorize Ephesians 3:20-21. Recite it often as a hymn of praise and an affirmation of your faith in God.

For Further Study: Read Numbers 13 and 14.

• What kind of report did the pessimistic spies bring back from the Promised Land?

• How did the people react to their report?

• How did God react to their report?

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Friendship Evangelism

May 16, 2014 broboinhawaii 2 Comments

The twelve apostles included “Philip” (Matt. 10:3).

Philip was probably a fisherman and acquainted with Peter, Andrew, James, John, Nathanael, and Thomas prior to their all becoming disciples. We first meet him in John 1:43-46, which says, “The next day [after Jesus encountered Peter and Andrew], He purposed to go forth into Galilee, and He found Philip, and Jesus said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. . . . Come and see.'”

Those brief verses reveal two things about Philip. First, he had a seeking heart. Apparently he and Nathanael had studied the Scriptures in anticipation of the Messiah’s coming. When Jesus said, “Follow Me,” Philip was ready. Jeremiah 29:13 describes such a person: “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Second, he had the heart of an evangelist. The first thing he did after his own conversion was to lead Nathanael to Christ. Imagine his joy as he told his friend about the One for whom they had searched so long!

I believe friendships usually provide the best context for evangelism because you’re introducing Christ into an already established relationship of love, trust, and mutual respect. After all, it’s only natural to share the joy of your salvation with someone you love.

I pray that your joy overflows to those around you and that they are drawn to Christ because of your testimony.

Suggestions for Prayer: Do you have unsaved friends? If so, be faithful in praying for their salvation and asking the Lord to use you as an instrument of His grace. If not, ask the Lord to bring unsaved people into your life so you can tell them about Christ.

For Further Study: The Samaritan woman Jesus met at Jacob’s well spoke of Him not only to her friends, but also to the entire city. Read John 4:1-42.

• What analogy did Jesus use in presenting the gospel to her?

• How did Jesus describe true worshipers?

• What was the reaction of the city people to the woman’s testimony?

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Philip’s Transporter

April 29, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“Beam me up, Scotty!” This exact phrase was never actually used on Star Trek; nevertheless, it describes the fictional invention of the transporter. Will this kind of technology ever be possible? Perhaps…but thousands of years ago, God did something similar with Philip.

He said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Acts 8:31

Philip’s missionary journey began unusually with an angel directing him to meet an Ethiopian court official, who then invited Philip up in his chariot to explain a passage in Isaiah. Philip told him all about Jesus. Philip baptized the Ethiopian – and then God instantly transported the missionary to Azota (about 40 miles away) where he preached in the area. The Ethiopian, undoubtedly inspired by both the amazing event and his new spiritual hope, went on his way rejoicing.

Technology has advanced in 2,000 years, yet the transporter remains fiction. God holds the secrets to all unexplained events that have happened throughout history. Of all the mysteries God has revealed, the most important one is how to receive eternal life – and it starts with a simple four-word phrase, spoken to Jesus: “Come into my life.” Pray more of the nation’s leaders and citizens will find salvation in Christ.

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