Blessing Others through Obedience
26 Apr 2012 1 Comment
in Family Devotions, The Growth of Wisdom Tags: Acts, choices, family, God, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Isaiah, joy, obedience, Philip
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Yesterday, during morning devotions with the kids (yes, trying again to get into a good routine that goes beyond just spending a few minutes reading to discussion and application!), we read about Philip meeting and ministering to the Ethiopian man who had visited Jerusalem and was reading Isaiah as he traveled home in his chariot.
It got me thinking about obedience, and how important it is… how important our obedience, MY obedience, is to others.
After Philip explained Isaiah’s prophecy to the man, told him about Jesus’ fulfillment, and baptized him, the Holy Spirit took him where He next wanted him. But that’s not how Philip came to the Ethiopian man. Philip was told to go down a particular road. No explanation, just go. Philip went. When he came upon the man reading in the chariot he was given his next instruction: to stay near the man.
Philip heard what he was reading and asked if he understood. The Ethiopian man needed someone to explain. Philip was right where he needed to be when he needed to be there. Because he was obedient, he was blessed to be used by God as the Holy Spirit granted this man understanding of the Gospel. God could have just put him there, but Philip was given the choice to be obedient.
It’s the choice we’re given each moment.
How many times have we missed the opportunity to give someone reason to rejoice like the Ethiopian man did after Philip was taken away?
He still calls me daughter
03 Feb 2010 Leave a Comment
in The Growth of Wisdom Tags: John Waller, Luke, obedience, pride, prodigal, repentance, self-righteous
I came across this today and thought I’d share…
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
I heard John Waller’s “He Still Calls Me Son” for the first time this morning and got the familiar tingling feeling I get when I hear songs about the prodigal son. The parable has resonated with me for years, in different ways at different times.
I tried to ignore the conviction it first brought. There was far too much of the older brother in me. I’m a good Christian, Lord. I try to be good. I don’t do what she does. I don’t deny you like he does. I follow most of the rules…I must have sounded an awful lot like the Pharisee in Luke 18, with my comparisons and justifications. I didn’t want to see my lack, my sin, for what it was, any more than the Pharisee or big brother did. I claimed a relationship, but my heart was far from the Father’s.
Later, I lived the life of the prodigal. I was stubborn and willful, full of pride, determined to please myself. My “fun” wore me out and left me empty, but I was too stubborn to come home and submit to a Loving Parent. The habits of the lifestyle I clung to were worse than worthless. For a time it was preferable to wallow in the mire and maintain my illusion of freedom than to admit I was in bondage and in need of a Redeemer. Why is it so much easier to remain broken than admit we are wrong?
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