February 23, 2023: Following God Is Wild!

"Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert place." (Acts 8:26, ESV)

An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip! That is wild! The angel tells Philip to get up and go toward the south road that goes down to Gaza. That is specific direction. And I love this phrase, "This is a desert place." To be called to a desert is rough. Spirit-filled followers of Christ often have wild encounters. And they are often led by God into rough places to win a testimony for Him. 

"And the Spirit said to Philip. Go stand by that chariot." This is Philip, the evangelist! The man in the chariot that Philip spoke to 'just happened' to be reading the scroll of Isaiah. God is wild! What a 'setup!' Philip explained to the man the meaning of the scriptures. He gives his heart to Jesus and wants to be baptized. And there happens to be a body of water in the desert for the man to be baptized in! That's Wild!

And it gets wilder! "When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. Meanwhile, Philip found himself in the town of Azotus." (Acts 8:39–40 NLT) Where he continued preaching.  Following God is wild, but wild makes it fun! What a testimony of a spirit-filled deacon! Jesus, give us wild testimonies!