Hey WH Family!

This Sunday we will be looking at a guy named Simon in Acts 8:9-24. His story will teach us something about choosing Purpose over Popularity. However, for today’s devotional I’d like us to look at a really cool story immediately preceding Simon’s. Turn in your Bibles to Acts 8. We’re going to take a look at a guy named Philip.

Philip was one of the original seven chosen by the disciples to serve as officials for the church at Jerusalem in Acts 6. As the disciples split up all over the world spreading the Gospel, they needed several people to stay behind and lead the church in the place that it all began.

In Acts 8:4-8 it says, Now when those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. 

Philip, known as the Evangelist, made it his mission to carry the torch for the faith and glorify God at all costs. Though he wasn’t one of the original disciples, it didn’t affect his effort and passion for making Jesus famous. His primary desire was to receive the Good News and hand it off to others as quickly as possible. This is the same Philip who witnessed to the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-38.  

So here’s the question… Who has handed you the torch, and who are you going to pass it off to? God has placed key people in our lives: those that have blessed us and those that we have an opportunity to bless.

How can you encourage and thank those that have helped you grow in your faith? Also, who specifically has God put on your heart and in your life that you can “pass the torch” to? It may be someone who has never surrendered to Christ, or it may be someone who you can take under your wing and mentor.

Prayerfully consider the relationships in your life this week, and ask God to show you how you can be a blessing to those who’ve strengthened you and those whom you can strengthen.

Blessings,

Parker