Latest / Growing Closer to God with Guided Meditation / Acts 8 & 9: Hearing God’s Voice on the Move | Daily Devotion Series
Transcript
- 0:04Pastor Robert Young: This meditation is coming from the book of Acts, chapter eight and nine.
- 0:10Pastor Robert Young: Acts chapter eight and nine show the gospel-breaking barriers through the power of the Holy Spirit.
- 0:19Pastor Robert Young: After Stephen's death, persecution scattered the believers throughout Judea and Sumeria.
- 0:28Pastor Robert Young: Instead of silencing the church, this scattering spreads the message.
- 0:34Pastor Robert Young: Philip becomes a key figure.
- 0:37Pastor Robert Young: He preaches in Samaria, where crowds listen, demons are cast out, and many are healed.
- 0:45Pastor Robert Young: A magician named Simon believes, but later reveals a heart-craving power rather than transformation.
- 0:55Pastor Robert Young: The apostles Peter and John join Philip, laying hands on new believers so they receive the Holy Spirit.
- 1:04Pastor Robert Young: Then the Spirit sends Philip to a desert road where he meets an Ethiopian eunuch, a high official reading Isaiah.
- 1:15Pastor Robert Young: Philip explains the gospel.
- 1:19Pastor Robert Young: The eunuch believes and is baptized, marking the gospel's first recorded movement toward Africa.
- 1:28Pastor Robert Young: Philip is then carried by the Spirit to continue preaching elsewhere.
- 1:34Pastor Robert Young: Saul, the fierce persecutor of Christians, travels to Damascus to arrest believers.
- 1:42Pastor Robert Young: On the road, a blinding light stops him.
- 1:46Pastor Robert Young: Jesus speaks and says, Saul, why do you persecute me?
- 1:54Pastor Robert Young: Then Saul is led into the city, blind and shaken.
- 1:59Pastor Robert Young: God sends Ananias, who lays hands on Saul, heals him, and baptizes him.
- 2:07Pastor Robert Young: Saul immediately begins preaching Jesus as the Son of God, astonishing everyone.
- 2:15Pastor Robert Young: Opposition rises, and Saul escapes Damascus by being lower in a basket through the city wall.
- 2:26Pastor Robert Young: In Jerusalem, believers fear him, but Barnabas advocates for him.
- 2:33Pastor Robert Young: Saul continues preaching boldly until he is sent away for safety.
- 2:39Pastor Robert Young: The chapter ends with the church enjoying a season of peace, strengthening and growth, walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
- 2:53Pastor Robert Young: Let's take three minutes to reflect on the following question.
- 3:05Pastor Robert Young: Where is God inviting you to step into a new place, whether a physical space, a relationship, or a calling, so that His Spirit can work through you.
- 6:31Pastor Robert Young: Let's repeat this affirmation now, and throughout your day: The Holy Spirit leads me, transforms me, and sends me.
- 6:36Pastor Robert Young: No barrier, fear, past mistakes, or uncertainty can stop God's work in my life.
- 6:46Pastor Robert Young: Let's say that again.
- 6:49Pastor Robert Young: The Holy Spirit leads me, transforms me, and sends me.
- 6:55Pastor Robert Young: No barrier, no fear, past mistakes or uncertainty can stop God's work in my life.
- 7:13Pastor Robert Young: A closing prayer.
- 7:15Pastor Robert Young: Holy Spirit, thank you for turning scattering into mission, outsiders into family, and persecutors into proclaimers.
- 7:30Pastor Robert Young: Lead me as you led Philip.
- 7:33Pastor Robert Young: Transform me as you transform Saul.
- 7:36Pastor Robert Young: Open my eyes to the people you place on my path, and give me courage to respond with obedience and love.
- 7:47Pastor Robert Young: Lord, strengthen your church today with the same power, unity, and boldness you gave in Acts.
- 7:57Pastor Robert Young: For Christ's sake, Amen.