So much is going on in our world today, and many are trying to navigate it on their own. That’s not God’s intention for our lives. He has provided us with all we need, if only we will listen and receive.

The Holy Spirit speaks, but often we are too busy to hear His voice. He guides, but often we are too intimidated to follow His lead. He orchestrates, but often we are too distracted to participate.

Read: Acts 8:26-40 MSG

Respond: In this passage, who was guiding Philip in what he should do? Did he listen and obey?

Philip was told by the Holy Spirit to go to a desolate road without any further explanation. He wasn’t given a step-by-step plan, just a simple command; and he obeyed. Many of us would have needed more. We would have asked questions, second-guessed whether we heard Him correctly, or wondered if we heard His voice at all. To truly hear the Holy Spirit, we must submit to the fact that He is God, and He will not compete for our attention. He will never make us do anything or push us where we don’t want to go.

Because of Philip’s obedience, he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch who was reading God’s Word and quickly realized the man didn’t understand the passage he read. Taking this opportunity, Philip was able to tell the foreigner all about Jesus and then baptize him in a stream by the side of the road. Surrender is the antenna that tunes into the Spirit’s frequency. This small act of obedience had a huge return. It changed this man’s life forever.

Respond: In the Acts 8:26-40, what happened to Philip after he was done baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch?

Journal: Has there ever been a time when you felt like the Holy Spirit was leading you, but you second-guessed it. How did you respond and what was the outcome?

Nothing is random with the Holy Spirit. He takes the gospel even where people will not go. A Spirit-filled life helps us keep going no matter what the circumstances may be. God is up to something in our lives, and He doesn’t always hand us a roadmap to show us the way. He simply wants us to trust and obey.

Because Philip obeyed the Holy Spirit’s divine direction, not only did the anointing on his life bless him, but it also flowed down to his children. The same can be true for you and for the generations to come.

When He speaks, will you listen?
When He guides, will you go?
When He orchestrates, will you participate?

Activation: For the next week, pray the prayer below each day when you wake up. At the end of the week, journal about how the Holy Spirit worked through you to point others to Him.

Prayer:

My life is in Your hands, God. Use me to point someone toward You today. I promise to cooperate in any way that I can. If You want me to say a word for You today, I’ll do that. If You want me to keep quiet but demonstrate love and servanthood by Your Spirit’s power, I will. I’m fully available to you today, so guide me by your Spirit.