Dear LifeSpring Family,
Please read Acts Chapter 8 and ask the Holy Spirit to speak what He needs you to hear to you.
That is my devotion for today.
Just kidding. Allow me to share what the Holy Spirit is impressing on me.
Fruitfulness may require you stepping away from fruitful ministry.
You see, in Acts 8, Philip and the disciples were having a tremendously fruitful ministry sharing the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ in Samaria. Philip was rocking it and the main focus of all that was going on in Samaria.
And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.
– Acts 8:6-8
With so much joy and good that was happening in the city of Samaria, God through an angel told Philip to leave and go to a “desert place”. It does not make sense, leaving fruitfulness for a “desert place”.
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
– Acts 8:27
This is a desert place.
And we all know what happened and the story of the Ethiopian eunuch.
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
– Acts 8:35-38
Philip’s “trust and obey” approach to his relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ enabled him to leave a fruitful ministry.
Always be listening to the still small voice of our Shepherd because sometimes;
Fruitfulness may require you stepping away from fruitful ministry.
Grace upon grace
Jerry