“God uses prayer to draw precious people to Himself. Prayer breaks down barriers and blesses.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 5, 2021
So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:31-32
Jason and Nisea Williamson have become intimate friends since they joined our community group of five couples a year ago. They served as missionaries in Papua New Guinea for 16 years translating the Bible into the local dialect. They resided in Georgia this past year for much needed emotional healing, physical rest and spiritual renewal. They explained their approach to loving the locals of a different culture by helping them to know Jesus. In the process, a phrase was birthed from the lips of a tribal leader, “We want to learn God’s talk; we want to know the truth.” Translated: We need a gospel guide! As a result, most of his village was saved!
This sounds so much like the book of Acts encounter between the Ethiopian Secretary of the Treasury who was searching for the truth, and the evangelist Phillip, whom the Spirit sent to be his gospel guide! The first missionary to the racially scarred area of Samaria—Phillip was God’s man to love on a black man. Phillip, once tentative in his trust of Jesus—post resurrection, is now a flaming evangelist for Jesus. His angelic forerunner led him to converse with this prominent foreigner traveling home from his time of worship in Jerusalem. Philip explained the Old Testament passage that pointed to the New Testament messiah–Jesus Christ. A gospel guide led him to God!
“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I (Isaiah 65:1).
Is your spiritual antenna up throughout the day for those who need the good news about Jesus? Prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit, even the Lord’s angelic messengers, to prepare the way for you to show others the Way. Store clerks, restaurant servers, cashiers, trash collectors, UPS deliverers, telemarketers, neighbors, work associates, vendors, customers, Uber drivers, friends and family, can all use prayer. Lovingly ask how you can pray for them. God uses prayer to draw precious people to Himself. Prayer breaks down barriers and blesses. It’s a bridge to God’s word—to be a humble, loving gospel guide.
Perhaps you take the time to lead receptive ones through a Bible study. Host it in your home or over breakfast or lunch. Study the life of Christ and ask questions like: Who did He claim to be (John 14:6)? How did He define His purpose in life (John 17:4)? How did God express His love through Jesus (John 3:16)? What evidence was there of His resurrection (Acts 1:3, 2:21-39)? Pray for the Spirit to lead you to those in whom He is using life circumstances to draw them closer to Christ. The human soul wants spiritual answers. Lovingly share Jesus with open hearts to hear. Gospel guides follow the Spirit.
Spirit filled followers of Christ are always on the lookout for those who will listen to the good news about Jesus. They believe the Lord is at work all around them in the hearts of men and women, boys and girls and everyone in between. Daily encounters with people are not accidents, but divine appointments. The Christian life is an adventure of blessing others with the knowledge of the hope, love and forgiveness found in Jesus. We can be confident that God is on the hunt for His own. Like Jason, Nisea and Phillip—be a gospel guide for Jesus, and experience people coming to Jesus!
“I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me’” (Acts 26:17-18).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, lead me by Your Spirit to bless others with the good news about Jesus Christ, through Christ’s love, and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Consider learning more about the Williamson’s ministry in Papua New Guinea by watching this 4-minute video. And as the Lord leads support their Bible translation efforts by clicking on their account with their mission’s agency.
Related Reading
Psalm 68:31; Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 13:51, 22:9; Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 14:16-17
Worship Resource
Charity Gayle: Thank You Jesus for the Blood
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
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