MFM Daily Devotional July 19, 2023, Wednesday
MFM Daily Devotional July 19, 2023 Wednesday Mountain Top Life Devotional Message by Dr. D.K Olukoya
Click To Read Previous MFM Devotional Message
TOPIC: Lessons from the Life of Phillip (1)
Bible in One Year:
Psalms 23-25; Acts 21:18-40
Memory Verse:
Proverbs 22:29 – “Do you see a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”
Motivational Quote:
“Great lives and ministries make a lasting impact on other lives.”
Prophetic Word for Today:
I pray that your life and service unto God shall be a blessing to humanity, in the Name of Jesus.
Fire Scripture:
Acts 8:1-13
1 Saul agreed that the killing of Stephen was a good thing. Some godly men buried Stephen and cried loudly for him.
Trouble for the Believers
On that day the Jews began to persecute the church in Jerusalem, making them suffer very much. Saul was also trying to destroy the group. He went into their houses, dragged out men and women, and put them in jail. All the believers left Jerusalem. Only the apostles stayed. The believers went to different places in Judea and Samaria. 4 They were scattered everywhere, and in every place they went, they told people the Good News.
Philip Tells the Good News in Samaria
5 Philip went to the city of Samaria and told people about the Messiah. 6 The people there heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he was doing. They all listened carefully to what he said. 7 Many of these people had evil spirits inside them, but Philip made the evil spirits leave them. The spirits made a lot of noise as they came out. There were also many weak and crippled people there. Philip made these people well too. 8 What a happy day this was for that city!
9 Now there was a man named Simon who lived in that city. Before Philip came there, Simon had been doing magic and amazing all the people of Samaria. He bragged and called himself a great man. 10 All the people—the least important and the most important—believed what he said. They said, “This man has the power of God that is called ‘the Great Power.’” 11 Simon amazed the people with his magic for so long that the people became his followers.
12 But Philip told the people the Good News about God’s kingdom and the power of Jesus Christ. Men and women believed Philip and were baptized. 13 Simon himself also believed, and after he was baptized, he stayed close to Philip. When he saw the miraculous signs and powerful things Philip did, he was amazed.
Praise & Worship
MFM DAILY DEVOTIONAL 19TH JULY 2023
The Bible contains stories about numerous individuals, both male and female, whose lives and ministries are worthy of emulation. These verses of scripture speak volumes about who they were and what they did. One such man was Philip, one of the seven deacons appointed to manage the supposedly neglected brethren. Despite leading a seemingly silent life, there are many lessons to learn from this exceptional deacon and evangelist.
We first encounter Philip in the book of Acts 6:5 when there was a need to appoint brethren to manage the welfare of widows, allowing the apostles to focus on preaching and prayer (verses 2-5). This decision was taken to maintain peace among the brethren, and seven men of good reputation, filled with the Holy Ghost and wisdom, were chosen. Philip’s name appeared second on the list, after Stephen, indicating his exemplary godly qualities, leadership, and administrative skills.
After the apostles prayed and laid hands on the seven men, they were committed to service, indicating a divine impartation of God’s power for their tasks. Just like Stephen, Philip continued to minister in this grace and power throughout his service.
The martyrdom of Stephen caused Christ’s disciples to scatter due to fear of further opposition and persecution (Acts 8:3-4). However, Philip went down to Samaria (verse 5), fulfilling the instructions Jesus Christ gave to the disciples in Acts 1:8 before His Ascension. Philip was the disciple who opened up Samaria for Christ.
How far are you willing to go for Jesus?
Despite the scattering of the apostles, the Church continued to grow as they preached the Word of God wherever they went (Acts 8:4). This marked the beginning of Philip’s evangelistic ministry. He fearlessly went alone to Samaria to proclaim Christ, displaying immense courage as a Christian. News of any partner accompanying him only emerged when Peter and John visited him later. Philip operated in the power and might of God, standing out among his colleagues and bringing salvation to the people of Samaria, resulting in great joy (verse 8 ).
What lessons can we learn from Philip? He was a man filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom, enabling him to know what to do. He was divinely led and guided, not wandering aimlessly but propagating the gospel and doing exploits for the kingdom of God. Fearless, bold, and courageous, he did not let persecution deter him in Samaria following Stephen’s death.
Philip was a humble servant of God, not seeking titles but known as an evangelist due to his actions. He continually relied on the power of God throughout his ministry, receiving divine instructions for his various assignments and never depending on human understanding.
These qualities, among others, are worthy of emulation from such a committed servant of God, and by God’s grace, you can do even better in the Name of Jesus.
MFM MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DEVOTIONAL PRAYER POINTS:
MORNING
1. Holy Spirit, set me aside for good works in the Name of Jesus.
2. Powers assigned to distract and divert me from the way of righteousness, die in the Name of Jesus.
3. O God, arise and make me an uncommon minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Name of Jesus.
EVENING
4. Wherever I go, evil shall bow to me in the Name of Jesus.
5. O Lord, make me a fervent reader and preacher of Your Word in the Name of Jesus.
6. Holy Ghost, incubate my life and ministry in the Name of Jesus.
7. I receive divine boldness and courage to run with the Good News and win souls for Christ in the Name of Jesus.
MFM Daily Devotional 19th July 2023 Mountain Top Life ©2022 𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide).
READ MORE TOPICS: OPEN HEAVENS, OUR DAILY BREAD, IN TOUCH, SEEDS OF DESTINY, STREAMS OF JOY, JOEL OSTEEN, MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE, DCLM DAILY MANNA, UCB WORD FOR TODAY