“Your invitation to Christ isn’t an invitation to comfort. The Bible actually promises the opposite.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 19, 2025
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road … from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So … Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. Acts 8:26-30
Philip is among the first members of the early church we meet in the book of Acts. Full of the Spirit, wisdom, grace, and power, he took a job serving widows.
But, after one of their members was stoned to death for proclaiming Christ, the church scattered, witnessing as they went. Philip went to Samaria, proclaiming Christ and bringing joy to that city.
Leaving there, an Angel from God led Philip down a desert road where he met the man who handled finances for the Queen of Ethiopia, riding in a chariot. (Imagine a finance minister riding in a Lamborghini!) Philip was probably surprised, but the Spirit was specific: “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” So, Philip ran.
Hearing the man reading aloud from the prophet Isaiah, Philip boldly asked him, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”
“How can I,” the man said, “unless someone explains it to me?”
He’s heading home. He’s likely a convert to Judaism, who’d come to Jerusalem to worship. Jerusalem – the capital of Judaism, the holy city, full of religious teachers, but he’d gained no understanding? So, Philip climbed into the chariot and taught him the meaning of the passage, which led straight to the good news about Jesus.
“Look, here’s water,” the man said. “Why shouldn’t I be baptized.” He ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip baptized him. The Spirit took Philip away, and the man returned to Ethiopia rejoicing.
Spirit-filled obedience
Look at these immediate responses: Philip served widows. Philip went to Samaria, just as Jesus commanded. When the Spirit said “go,” Philip ran to the chariot.
But it’s not just Philip. Look at this Ethiopian. So high-ranking, yet no sign of pride. Water on the side of a desert road is surprising, maybe even supernatural. But it’s probably also dirty. Still, he wants a life with the One he read about in Isaiah, so he obeys and goes away full of joy. Note this pattern, obedience to rejoicing. And here’s proof he didn’t keep this good news to himself: Today, 75 million Ethiopians are Christ followers.
The danger of a comfort zone
I want to be like Philip, led by the Spirit. But I imagine the Spirit only leads people like this when He knows they’ll go. Would I? Would you?
A life of following Christ is simple: Believe, get baptized, become a disciple, make disciples. But that last one doesn’t happen if we stay where it’s comfortable. Jesus told his followers to go after the Spirit was poured out, but they didn’t go until one of them was murdered.
Then they went, witnessing all along the way, and the church grew exponentially. There was risk, but the adventure of a life with Christ was worth it.
Prayer
Jesus, my life is yours. Take it and send me into the world.
Application
If you asked clear direction from the Spirit and went where He led you, what might happen? Experiment with obedience. Pray, study God’s Word, and listen. There’s power in your “yes” when He calls you. Take the direction and run like Philip.
Related Reading
Acts 8:26-38; Romans 10:9, Ephesians 2:4-8
Worship Resource
Lydia Walker: I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
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