November 13 | Acts 8:25-40

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DAILY READING

Acts 8:25-40

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REFLECTION

A Holy Spirit Itinerary

by Pr. Dave Mann

The family of God differs from how we normally understand the term “family.” Our families typically look alike, sound alike, and eat alike. However, in today’s passage, we see that Philip, one of the first preachers of the Word of the Lord, was directed by the Holy Spirit to share the good news of Jesus with people very different from himself.

First, Philip went into Samaria and shared the gospel in many Samaritan villages. The Samaritans were on the “no-go list.” They were of mixed ethnic lineage. Many Jews, desirous to travel from Galilee to Judea, would take a longer route, out of their way, to avoid traveling through Samaritan territory. Jesus had made a Samaritan the hero of a well-loved parable in Luke 10:25-37. Jesus also received water from a Samaritan woman and had an extended conversation with her (John 4).

Then, Philip, following an angel’s directive, went to the deserted road leading to Gaza, where he met an Ethiopian eunuch. Not only was this man from another ethnic group, indeed from another continent, but he was also maimed and deformed. The priestly law forbade such a person from drawing near to the Lord at the tabernacle or temple in holy worship (Leviticus 21:18). But now the Lord drew near to him, to share the good news of Jesus and that he might be baptized and welcomed into the family God.

Finally, Philip was whisked away by a mysterious means of transportation. He appeared in Azotus, quite close to Ashdod, one of the five chief cities of the Philistines—yet another shunned ethnic group. Holy Scripture does not tell us what exactly Philip did there. However, we can surmise that his ministry was effective, because later in the book of Acts (16:7ff.), we read that the Apostle Paul was hosted in the home of Philip in Caesarea, a Phoenician city just north along the Mediterranean coastline. It seems the ministry of Philip was successful enough that he put down roots in this Roman, Phoenician port city.

It seems the Holy Spirit-inspired itinerary had Philip sharing the good news of Jesus with all misfits, deformed, mixed-lineage, former enemies of the people of God as possible. God told him and us, “It’s time to bring together as many sinners as possible at the foot of the cross.”

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, I cannot imagine what excitement must have been in the heart of Philip as you moved him from place to place to encounter the most unusual set of people, whom you loved and died for. I pray you give me some of that inspiration. Grant me the same enthusiasm and expectation as I set forth on the itinerary of my days. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

November 12 | 1 Chronicles 18:1-6; Acts 2:34-47

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DAILY READING

1 Chronicles 18:1-6; Acts 2:34-47

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REFLECTION

Kingdom Expansion

by Elaine Pierce

David was a successful Warrior King. This verse sums up his record: "The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went. (1 Chronicles 18:6b) He conquered kingdom after kingdom, and Israel's boundaries expanded.

In Acts 2, we read about a different kind of kingdom expansion - not by the sword, but by God's spirit. Peter speaks to a crowd of God-fearing Jews who were in Jerusalem for the Festival of Weeks. This festival took place a mere five weeks after Jesus' death and resurrection. He reminded the crowd that "David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "'The Lord said to my Lord; "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."' (Acts 2:34)

What happened because of his sermon? 3,000 accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and were baptized. Incredible. This rag-tag group of Jesus' disciples: fishermen, tax collectors, and - heaven forbid - women - were bringing people to Christ just weeks after they huddled in the Upper Room, devastated that their Rabbi had been crucified.

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6)

King David won impressive battle victories. God is not asking me to go to war (and as I write this, wars are raging across our world - God have mercy on all who serve). But he is asking me to share his word. He will give you what you need. He will not send you into battle unprepared. Thank him for the opportunity to serve, and rejoice when he adds to our number those new in the faith, renewed in the faith, and those willing to follow him.

PRAYER

Lord, so often I hide your light under a bushel. Help me to rejoice when others enter the kingdom and to thank you for the opportunity to bring good news to those who are ready to hear it. Your kingdom will come, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

November 11 | Philippians 3:10-21

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DAILY READING

Philippians 3:10-21

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REFLECTION

What is My Greatest Fear?

by Mary Alice McGinnis

If you were to take inventory of your mind, what recurring worries would you find lingering there? What concerns occupy your thoughts during the day? What things keep you awake at night?

I was prompted to do a journaling exercise recently to help identify my biggest fear. Allowing my random thoughts and concern to find their way from my head, to my heart, through my fingers, to my pen, and down in black and white was revealing.

Why not try it with me?

Write down a short answer to these questions:

• What is the worst thing that could happen?

• So what happens if that comes true?

• So what happens because of that?

• So what happens because of that?

When you come to the end of “so what happens,” there lies your greatest fear.

Can you name it? How is that fear holding your prisoner?

In today’s reading I was struck by Paul’s first sentence in verse 10.

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection.”

What does knowing Christ mean? Is that just an intellectual “knowing” or something else?

What is the power of His resurrection? How would knowing Jesus and His ability to conquer my WORST FEAR, even death, change my day-to-day living?

If Paul would have ended his sentence right there, I would happily say AMEN! I want that too!

But then Paul continues: “and participation in His sufferings . . .”

But I don’t want to suffer! Suffering is painful. I fear it because the losses feel like they will crush me. It feels overwhelming. I fear I will not be able to hold up under its weight. Why would I want to participate in that?

Maybe because it will lead me to depend on someone other than myself?

Jesus embraces suffering. Why? Because He knew the outcome! His suffering and loss, even His death, would not be the end.

That is why Paul encourages us to realize when we suffer, we are: "becoming like Him in His death." Suffering, evil, pain, loss, death would not get the last word. They did not for Jesus, the Son of God, who came and suffered for us. And because of Him, they will not defeat us either. God has given the promise of “resurrection” to all His children, in whatever losses and suffering we have to face.

Think of that fear you identified earlier. How could God use even THAT worst fear to put His resurrection power on display in your life? Ask yourself, "If God is good, and He is ALL powerful, can I trust Him even if the worst happens? Would God be enough for my even my greatest fear?"

I think that is what Paul is alluding to when he says, “and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” We will have trials. We will face grief and pain. We will perhaps even suffer beyond what we think we can endure. But amid that suffering, God calls us to recognize Him, the One who can raise the dead, and trust Him to use His resurrection power in ways we cannot even imagine.

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.”

PRAYER

Thank You Lord Jesus for how You willingly suffered for me. You face betrayal. You felt excruciating physical and emotional pain. You suffered the ultimate pain of being abandon to DEATH, though You were innocent. You were forsaken by God the Father because He chose to lay the penalty of all my wrong doings on You. I could never hope to live up to deserving such a sacrifice. Lord, please redirect my focus. Let me see that through my suffering, I can ONLY depend upon You. Let Your unstoppable resurrection power be on display through me.