Intro: God never wastes the suffering of his people; many times he works powerfully through the most painful places. This process may not make sense to our natural minds, but we must always remember God’s power is made perfect in our weakness [2 Cor 12:9]. Sometimes, God is preparing us for a special work in his Kingdom, so he uses pressing situations to draw us closer to himself in order to gain the help we need.
Truthfully, many believers never pray or spend time in the presence of God until they have issues they cannot solve themselves. When we get really uncomfortable, we are more willing to listen, move, and follow Christ. Friends, this tendency to neglect our relationship with God flows from a very wrong perspective and has nothing to do with the Good News of Christ. We all need a SAVIOR!
In our passage today, the early Church believers had been forced from their homes and scattered throughout Jerusalem due to persecution. However, God used this persecution to expand the reach of the Church. Philip, a deacon [not the apostle] was in charge of food distribution while he shared the Good News. The Spirit of God empowered these displaced servants of Christ to accomplish many extraordinary miracles.
Acts 8:4-8 The Living Bible 4 But the believers [the Church] who had fled Jerusalem went everywhere preaching the Good News about Jesus! 5 Philip, for instance, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about Christ. 6 Crowds listened intently to what he had to say because of the miracles he did. 7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed, 8 so there was much joy in that city!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for using all things to benefit our lives and the work of your Kingdom. May amazing miracles begin to manifest according to our faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.