Wednesday, July 20 – Acts 8:36-38

As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he ordered that the chariot stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

There are many different things that define us like our title at work, our marital status, and our friends. Before the Ethiopian eunuch met Phillip, the things that defined him were his prestige, his money, and his knowledge. When God used Philip to show this man the hope of Jesus, he was forever changed. He didn’t merely take Philip’s teaching to add to his knowledge of God, he accepted this message of hope and was changed by God. His search was over, and he was ready to commit his life to the gospel.

There are many different seasons we find ourselves in and different places God calls us to go. No matter our season or calling, following Jesus is something that changes who we are. Philip was obedient to each step God prompted him to take so he could share the gospel. For the Ethiopian eunuch, the next step was to be baptized. Out of joy for being a child of God, these men followed God at each step He put before them. What is the next step God is prompting you to take? Have you been baptized? Have you joined this community of faith? Have you intentionally prayed for or served someone who is far from God? There is great joy with every step God puts before us because it is a step we take with Him, diving in deeper to know who He is.

• What is the next step of obedience you need to take in your faith?
• What is the difference between doing something out of obligation and doing something out of joy?
• Pray and ask God to show you the next step in your faith.