When the Lord acts on our behalf, normal deadlines are not obeyed, because as the Creator of all things, He knows how to act to help us in any situation. Nothing stops Him from coming to our aid, because He is the Almighty (Psalm 121). Jesus' beloved Church was born out of the Father's will, not because a few people got together and decided to establish it, and so it is with every arm of it.

          When Philip heard the heavenly messenger say: “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. (Acts 8.26) he didn't argue or pray to confirm whether he should really go that way. We often want to make sure where the message is coming from, but when the direction comes from Heaven, the Holy Spirit testifies to the Lord's will.

         The angel told Philip that the road was deserted. However, when he reached his destination, he saw someone: And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, (Acts 8.27). This important man from Ethiopia was interested in the Truth: was returning and sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet (Acts 8.28).

           How many opportunities do we miss because we don't listen to the Lord? Over time, religious doubts enter our hearts, and we stop listening to what comes from heaven. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” (Acts 8.29). So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8.30). Philip was obedient!

           We fail to enjoy great blessings because, even though we ask for God's direction, we hesitate over His Word. James warns those who lack wisdom: But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1.6) We need to free ourselves from the spirit of doubt; otherwise, it will take us over.

         The eunuch's hunger for the Truth was so great that he didn't even suspect that the person who approached him might be a thief or an irresponsible person who would teach him something wrong. By his response to the evangelist, he showed that he was the right man to be led to Christ: “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. (Acts 8.31). We mustn't miss any chance to experience the Lord's action. It's time to believe!

          That day, the Church that was not in labor pains gave birth to a son. God expects this to happen to all the lost. The Almighty wants to use us, but we often don't obey Him. As a result, we stop receiving His gifts. Knowing the commandments and keeping them proves that we love God, who in turn will love us back (John 14:21).

          In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares