DCLM Daily Manna 22 April 2023 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Obey The Spirit’s Leading
TOPIC: Obey The Spirit’s Leading (DCLM Daily Manna 22 April 2023)
KEY VERSE: “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot” (Acts 8:29).
TEXT: Acts 8:26-40 (KJV)
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
MESSAGE:
One of the great virtues of true children of God is obedience. God reserves the right to assign His children to any task He chooses whenever He wishes. Like a good Father, He ensures that all His children adequately engage in His work. Philip was such an obedient son who joyfully carried out the Father’s will concerning evangelism.
Philip had been seriously involved in the revival in Samaria. Sinners were getting converted and lives were being transformed. Then God sent an angel to draft him for a special assignment. He was to go and meet a man of Ethiopia, an officer of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her treasury and had come to worship in Jerusalem. Philip immediately left everything and went in obedience.
He saw the man and following further prompting by the Holy Spirit, he joined his chariot as directed. He preached the gospel to the man and he became converted and did water baptism.
Philip was obedient to the leading of the Spirit and God blessed his ministerial efforts. Obedience to God always brings blessings. No believer should be so busy as to ignore the leading of God.
The most important assignment that He has for us is the preaching of the gospel. Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
When He calls you today to leave every other task and to go and preach the gospel or reach out, especially to someone in particular, you too like Philip, should obey. Your obedience will attract a rich harvest specially prepared by the Lord Himself.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
There is no blessing outside the realm of obedience.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Romans 4-6
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
