Think Spot

20th February 2012 G'day and welcome to Partakers ThinkSpot on Monday, the 20th of February 2012. Let's go over to Jim and Joy and discover what they are sharing with us today. Over to you, Jim!

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Right Mouse click to save this as an audio mp3 file Its a new week and a new day and you are bursting to tell someone about Jesus. Right? No you say I freeze up and fear. Help!! If there was ever a man who couldn't keep the good news of Jesus to himself it was this man Philip we read about him in the book of Acts. Looking at this man, what do we notice that we can hopefully relate to and learn from his example? Maybe we can follow his example as we prepare ourselves for a new week witnessing for Jesus. We take up the story in Acts 8 Philip the evangelist is having a great time in Samaria making Christ known as Saviour Healer and Deliverer. Philip was saying "listen as I tell you of the all powerful Jesus Christ who can transform peoples lives." As he preached the good news of Jesus the whole city is being turned to God, many miracles occurring and many were saved, healed and delivered from all kinds of demonic influences. Revival was taking place. Philip must have been overjoyed to be there. Philip was having the time of his life. But you know something we can get so caught up with evangelism and the excitement of it where we are, as people around us are beginning to see God in a new light and yes enjoying God, that we easily forget there is a big world out there and God is caring for it and is eager for people of all nations to come to know Jesus and experiencing the joy and peace to be found in Him. So my first thought to share that I see here is that in meeting peoples needs in evangelism God is not only looking at Samaria but always has a much bigger picture in view. God the Almighty who knows everything is all powerful and sees the whole world in one view. He sees every country at the same moment and is working out his plans and purposes in them. So into this chapter and story where Philip is one of the main characters walks or rather rides another important person who is going to play a very important place in God's strategy for converting not another city like Samaria but a larger country called Ethiopia. So God had a plan. It begins with linking up Philip with this important man on his journey to Ethiopia. A man who was although a worshipper of God was desperate in needing help to understanding the good news of Jesus the Messiah as Lord and King. He didnt know the gospel. No one had told him. This man held a very high rank in the Ethiopian governemet. He was the Queen of Ethiopia's treasurer. A man who would have tremendous influence in the nation. He had been to Egypt perhaps for business reasons . But nothing happens by chance inb this world does it? Certainly not as far as God is concerned or His [people.He had spent time at the temple worshipping but lacked knowledge and understanding of the truth concerning Jesus. So how is God going to introduce his truth into Ethiopia? Philip is the chosen vessel to carry the truth to this man as he travels to his home land of Ethiopia in a horse driven royal chariot. Philip is transported somehow into a desert region by God which was on the route the man from Ethiopia is travelling on. Surprised? God knew exactly what He was doing. Isn't He amazing? Wow!! But I wonder if Philip wanted to move from Spring Harvest where it was all happening in Samaria to go to a solitary place. There could have been no bigger contrast. Any objections that Philip might have had are certainly are certainly not expressed in this narrative. You could say Philip had no say in the matter. God simply placed him where he wanted hin to be to serve in the purposes of God. Philip may well have prayed that morning "Lord lead me today to those you want to reach with the gospel. I am willing to go anywhere for you" A complete readiness to go wherever God sends him with this wonderful gospel message! First lesson - BE READY : The Ethiopian is in his horse drawn chariot reading an Old Testament manuscriptfrom Isiaiah53. Philip sees him and hears him reading looking puzzled. Second lesson - BE BRAVE : Philip shows not only he is ready but also BRAVE as he approaches the rich man. Can you imagine it? Two complete strangers meeting and the question asked is "Do you understand what you are reading? Third lesson - BE PREPARED : Philip is PREPARED to teach the man the way to God through Jesus. He wants the man to understand the glorious message of salvation through Jesus. He KNOWS THE SCRIPTURES in order to explain the passage the man is reading from. Philip was chosen to show the man what he needed to see and the man was resding a passage the Lord knew he would be reading to prepare him for his meeting with Philip. God is truly sovereign in all the affairs of the nations and of course here in this desert place. Isaiah 53 is clearly understood by Philip and he goes through this great chapter in our Bibles explaining that the Messiah spoken of here is Jesus. My friends I do not know how well you know this chapter in Isaiah but it is a great chapter of prophecy concerning Jesus and yet his name is not mentioned here. But if "you have eyes to see" when you look in the gospels and see their fulfilment recorded 800 years before Christ the Messiah came into the world It is astounding. Be assured, God's Word is absolutely true and can be trusted without question. So as you witness for Jesus use the tool He used and was so effective with. Joy's Prayer Dear loving heavenly Father! We worship you for your greatness. You are all seeing, all knowing, all powerful. We are so thankful for that knowledge. You are so powerful that you take such an interest in each one of us in our individual lives. Your strength is always so welcome as we feel so inadequate for many tasks, but we are so thankful that you have said, that by your Spirit you will empower us to do all we need to do including sharing our faith in Jesus. Please help us to be effective witnesses and may we see the fruit from our labours and glorify You in Heaven! In Jesus' Name, Amen Right Mouse click to save this as an audio mp3 file To help financially support Partakers, please do click the Paypal Donate image below. Thank you. Click on the appropriate link to subscribe to this website iTunes