Skip to main content

Beam me up

Beam me up Scotty! We have all (maybe most) heard this phrase from the famous TV sci-fi show, that later became a series of movies, called Star Trek. It was amazing to see how at the nick of time people would be transported to and from planets or places without the need for physical transport. Do you know that the Bible has a record of this happening as well? Philip was a great beneficiary of this mode of transport.

Acts 8:39-40
Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

From the city of Samaria where he was sharing the good news of Jesus, healing the sick and delivering out demons, he was "transported" to Gaza to speak to this Ethiopian government treasurer, and then to Azotus going to Caesarea. Amazing! But I think what is more amazing is the way the gospel spread to Samaria, where Jews do not go, to Ethiopia where the African church started, and to the coastal towns of Azotus and Caesarea, where a great number of people travel and cargo comes and goes from other regions. The movement was rapidly expanding in spite of the persecution.

In today's scenario, can we expect persecution? Yes! Can we expect the gospel to still spread? Yes! Just focus on the things of God and speak the Word in season and out of season.  There are many reports of how internet traffic is going through the roof.  You may now be "beamed" into someone's living room or personal home with little effort.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is a compelling story and combined with your personal experience with Jesus, you are able to do even more in an accelerated manner.

Father, let me rely on your ways to share the good news of Jesus. Beam me Jesus!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

My Journey of Faith

Sreedhar standing to the left of his grandfather in the center Almost 55 years ago a son was born to a Hindu family.  The parents were 2nd generation Malaysians raised in a rubber estate near a small town called Sungei Petani in Northern Malaya at that time.  This first child was given much love and care by their parents and had the privilege of growing up in 3 different states of Malaysia, most of which was in Petaling Jaya.  He was blessed with his first domestic airplane ride when he was 10 years old, and made his first trip by airplane to Bangkok at the age of 11.  In the mid 1970's the family moved to a large house in a relatively exclusive neighborhood in Petaling Jaya. This was a result of the favor his father, aged about 35 at that time, had in the workplace,. As a result, this son grew up in a mostly multicultural environment with Indian, Chinese and Malay children.  In the process, his perspectives became cosmopolitan and racially neutral.  On...

The commands are clear

Crossing of the Red Sea in the history of mankind was a spectacular event. The next spectacular event is the interaction with God on Mount Sinai. Cloud and smoke and ground of sapphire. Exodus 24:10, and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity. The sight and sounds must have been pretty amazing. This is where Moses gets the commandments from God. Exodus 24:12, Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.” There is such clarity in what God was doing here. The record makes clear the full situation as it happened after the people of Israel crossed the Red Sea. Important details are captured and presented for us to read thousands of years later. This is preserved and taught until today just like the days of Moses. Father, we h...

Rags to riches need something else

Can the impossible become possible? I have read many stories of rags to riches and have been naturally impressed by everything that has been said. It required great persistence, hardwork, endurance and something else. That something else is what differentiates between one rags to riches story, and the many other rags to rags stories. Unfortunately, we do not hear or read many of the latter. The successful ones had a "good break" that is a gift from God. Psalms 126:6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him. The people of Israel could only dream of being released from captivity. That is how this chapter started. Yes, the sowing of seed is needed. Hard work cannot be missed. But, along with the hardwork is the weeping. Weeping before God. He alone provided the deliverance when the people cried before God. Father, my heart's desire is to see all saved. Hear my cry O Lord fo...

Creation is a love story

Our children have been home schooled for many years of their lives. Many of our relatives, friends and neighbors looked at us and probably spoke privately about how crazy we were to do that. Some asked directly about two things. How do they learn socialization skills and are you qualified to teach all the subjects? If you want me to answer these questions, please contact me directly. One of the things I am very grateful for is the blessing of my children learning creation science and the issues with evolution. They would not have learned that in regular school. Psalms 104:24 O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions— This chapter is full of the presentation of creation science. It is simply so amazing. God created the universe, the earth and all living things. Every detail was considered, including the ecosystem. God has thought of everything. Every little detail is there for a reason. The sky, water, mountain...

It is premeditated

Have you ever found yourself in a corner? I am sure you know what I mean. Yes, this term comes from war campaigns, and widely used chess games. You pray that you are able to get out of it. David was also in a corner. He was about to go to war with his own people with the Philistines, but God provided a way out. 1 Samuel 29:9, Then Achish answered and said to David, “I know that you are as good in my sight as an angel of God; nevertheless the princes of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’ He is given favor to live among the Philistines, but in this major campaign against Saul and his army, David's loyalty was not tested. God orchestrated a way out for David. Yes, God made a way when there is no way. Father, I will always look to you for your directions in everything that I do.

Do not fear death

Are you ready to die? There is a great fear of death. Much of it is because people are uncertain of life, or the lack of it, after death. What will happen? Will I get reincarnated into an animal or poor family? Will I go to hell, because I committed more sin than good? These are serious questions, and man tries to manage this with his own ability. But Jacob went peacefully. Genesis 49:33, And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people. What gave him such great assurance? Before he entered into his "rest", he blessed each of his sons. He gave each their prophesy. Genesis 49:28, All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing. Jacob could only do this because he had full assurance of God's promises for him and his descendents. He served the God of Abraham, his grandfather, ...