DIVINE ORCHESTRATION

July 19

Bible Reading: Acts 8:30-40

Acts 8:35, “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.”

Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch did not find themselves seated together in a chariot by mere coincidence. The Ethiopian eunuch, an important court official of the queen of the Ethiopians, was returning home after traveling to Jerusalem to worship. The journey from Ethiopia to Jerusalem spanned 1500 miles and took months to complete, presenting significant challenges. Despite this, he was determined to worship God. Little did he know what awaited him.

Philip was divinely guided to his place in the chariot by “an angel of the Lord” (Acts 8:26). The same God who used Philip to reach an entire region directed him to this solitary soul on a desert road. It was all part of God’s plan. They sat side-by-side in the chariot, one seeking the truth and the other well-equipped to share it.

The Ethiopian eunuch was reading the Scriptures and had questions. Philip, filled with the Spirit, preached Jesus to him (Acts 8:35; NASB). The eunuch believed in Jesus.

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news” (Romans 10:15). There are no more powerful or glorious words than the witness to Jesus. In recent years, I’ve had the privilege of sharing Jesus with many people, often those nearing the end of their lives. It always warms my heart to meet someone longing to hear the truth. There are people within your reach who need to hear. These opportunities are never mere coincidences. God skillfully orchestrates them. Our role is to share the beautiful truth. To preach Jesus!

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”—Romans 10:15

I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY
I love to tell the story
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory,
Of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story,
Because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings
As nothing else can do.

Chorus:
I love to tell the story,
’Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story;
’Tis pleasant to repeat
What seems each time I tell it,
More wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story;
For some have never heard
The message of salvation
From God’s own holy Word. [Chorus]

I love to tell the story;
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story,
That I have loved so long.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry Conklin, born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon, served six years in the US Navy Submarine service. After earning a degree in Nuclear Technology, he worked at Trojan Nuclear Plant as a reactor operator. In 1990, after earning a Masters Degree in Theology, he became the senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria for 27 years, also serving as a fire department chaplain and making nine trips to Uganda for ministry work. After his wife’s cancer diagnosis, they moved to Heppner. Since 2021, he has served as the part-time hospice chaplain for Pioneer Hospice. In 2023 he helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter (SMCSM) and now serves at the board chairman. In February 2025 Jerry was honored as Heppner’s Man of the Year. In March 2025 Jerry was honored by US Senator Jeff Merkley for his work with SMCSM. Jerry and Laura have four children and three grandchildren.

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