Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Acts 8:26-39

Highlight Verse:

“As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.””
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Phillip is among those who had recently been kicked out of Jerusalem for following Jesus. This drove Phillip first to Samaria where he saw many Samaritan’s find faith in Jesus.

Then came this odd command from the Lord. “Go down the desert road.”

I don’t know about you but a walk in the desert would not be my first choice, especially if I was eager to share the Gospel.

But that’s exactly where God wanted Philip.

In the midst of the heat and dust, God put Philip in the exact spot where he could speak to an important Ethiopian.

History records that the church in Ethiopia likely traces its roots back to this very meeting. In fact, Ethiopia is the only country in that region that remained primarily Christian when Islam swept through that area. Today two-thirds of the population identifies as Christian.

All because Philip obeyed a rather odd request from God.

God may have you on a desert road.

Your life may not have gone according to your plans. That doesn’t mean that you’re not smack dab in the middle of God’s plans for you.

If you are open to being used by God in whatever way he chooses, the results may blow you away.

How have you seen God use you along the “desert road” of your life?
Are you open to sacrificing comfort to do God’s will?

Bonus:

Here’s Casting Crowns new song “Desert Road” – the idea of which came from this passage.