December 20, 2010
Truth Connections
Devotions for Parents on the Go

Go and Tell Part One: Seize Each Opportunity
Background Passages: Acts 8:1-40
Today's Focal Passage:

26 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: "Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to desert Gaza." 27 So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem 28 and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go and join that chariot."

Acts 8:26-29, HCSB
Divine Appointments

  Every time I fly, I wonder who I'll sit next to. For many, this is an awkward situation- forced to sit very close to someone you have never seen before or know nothing about. Often, people go the entire length of a flight and never say a word to the other person.
  
On a recent flight, my seat was next to a lady about my age. From the time she sat down, she talked non-stop. I noticed she was nervous and anxious about the flight. During our 45-minute flight, I learned many details about her life. She had her share of misfortune and problems-divorce, daughter in a tragic car accident where a friend was killed, son who had a child his senior year in high school with his girlfriend. I found myself sad for this lady and wondering if she had Christ in her life. I could not imagine going through what she had without Him.     
  
While I listened and shared some details about my life, our conversation never got to spiritual things. Our discussion had come rather easy. So, why did the spiritual aspect not come as easy?  It was obvious this lady needed Jesus. Perhaps she knew Christ, but I walked away not knowing.
 She thanked me for talking with her and helping to pass the time and keep her mind off the flight. Immediately, I began to question whether I had missed a divine appointment. I asked myself, did God arrange the seating on this flight? Was it meant for me to meet and talk with this lady on this particular day? If we believe in the sovereignty of Christ, we have to answer that with a yes. While I did not share Christ, I did talk with the lady and give her an opportunity to share. Through this, I pray I ministered to her.
 
 In today's Scripture, Philip was given a divine opportunity to share Christ. And he jumped at it. While we may not have an angel to appear to us in person, we have the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit. May we look for and expect divine appointments daily.
Kyle Cravens
Think It Through

o    When have you experienced a divine appointment?
o    When did you miss one?
o    Will you be willing to have your life interrupted for an eternal purpose?