#1272. How God speaks and leads us in His mission (19/5/25)
- Matt Beaney
- May 19
- 5 min read
Updated: May 20
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) as we continue our Ready and Willing series, reflecting on the life of Philip.
Today, from the life of Philip, let’s learn how God speaks and leads us in life and mission.
You can listen to this devotional below
‘Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.’ (Acts 8:26-31)
1. God’s word - God speaks through His Word
Philip had been saved into a church community that understood who they were from God’s word. The church in Jerusalem, knew that they were saved through the cross of Christ and called to Spirit-empowered mission to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. All of us share in this Great Commission. None of us need special revelation to know that we should be praying and involved in this to some degree. God’s Word - the Bible - remains God’s authoritative voice and all other directions and prophecies etc. are to be weighed against God’s unchanging Word.
2. Providence - God leads and speaks through circumstances
God also speaks and leads through providence. Why was Philip no longer in Jerusalem? Why had he gone to Samaria to share the gospel? Because of intense persecution. Whilst Saul and others were doing evil in scattering that fledgling church, God was also working to take the gospel out from Jerusalem. God works through the circumstances of our lives; a job ends; a new job is offered; you have to move to a new location; difficulties shake up your life… God is always at work to open up doors of opportunity for us to share the gospel. Sometimes, as with Philip, providence can be painful, but, for those who are walking with Jesus and are filled with His presence, every circumstance is an opportunity. As Paul writes to the church in Galatia:
‘As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you…’ (Galatians 4:13)
3. Hearing His voice - God speaks and leads by speaking in various ways
The account of Philip points to his hearing God’s leading through an angel. Angels are God’s messengers who minister on His behalf and on behalf of God’s people. We are never taught to pray to angels or even to seek their help. Rather, we are to pray to God and let Him lead as He wills.
In addition to this ‘angel’, we are told that ‘the Spirit’ also spoke and led Philip.
Whilst this is quite unique case, like Philip, let’s be ready and willing to listen to God’s voice in any way that it comes to us. Oftentimes He speaks through prophecy (that is to be carefully ‘weighed’); He speaks through a sermon about specific action that we need to take; He speaks in our devotions; He can even, on rare occasions, speak in an audible voice. Paul’s experience of being led to plant the church in Philippi if very informative:
‘Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.’ (Acts 16:6-10)
In response, today, from the life of Philip, we’ve briefly reflected on how God speaks and leads us in life and mission. How are you and I doing at listening? Do we have a living relationship with Jesus? Are we prayerful and being led by Him in life and mission?
Let’s pray together
“Holy Spirit, I thank you that you are the Spirit of truth who leads us into all truth. Please keep speaking to me and leading me. Please keep speaking to my church and leading us into your will and your mission. Amen.”
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
For your diary: Our next weekend away will be 19th-21st June 2026!!
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
On Sunday, we continued our Ready and Willing? series by looking at Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. From this remarkable story, we reflected on how:
“God is alive and continues to speak to us and through us to bring others to know Him.”
Please read Acts 8:26-40 and discuss:
Main Message – What do you think Luke wants us to understand about God and mission through this encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian?
Personal Reflection – What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?
Divine Guidance – What does this passage teach us about how God leads His people in mission?
Divine Appointments – ‘Divine appointments’ are Spirit-led encounters in which God connects us with “people of peace” (those open to us and the gospel). Have you ever experienced a divine appointment like this? Please share.
Baptism Insight – What does this passage teach us about the meaning and significance of baptism?
SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
Mission inspiration from the text - Is there anything else in this text that inspires or instructs us in our mission—how we approach people, how we listen to the Spirit, or how we respond with obedience?
Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.
Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation? Take time to name them and pray for them.
Let’s pray together:
Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.
Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.
Pray specifically for the “people of peace” mentioned—asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.
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