Transported In The Holy Spirit

This message may come as a surprise for people. Many of you may even think I am losing it after I tell you what happened to me, but all I can say is it is true. This even happened in Biblical times as well, such as with Philip. He was transported in the Holy Spirit after baptizing an Ethiopian Eunuch and I was transported in the Holy Spirit while worshiping God in my car. Here is my story… Yesterday, I was driving back from Gooding Idaho to Meridian Idaho, which takes about 2 hours to accomplish. I was set to get back about 5:15pm, according to Google Maps. And on my way back, I finished listening to the rest of the book of Numbers and then wrapped up my drive with praise music. I had just learned so much from scripture and was ready to glory the Lord in song. Now when the music came on I began to praise God through the lyrics and also in my own words. The Lord was given the praise He deserves. Now, as I was driving, I was expecting to hit some very slow traffic with the construction area that was close to Boise, but amazingly, it never happened. I drove in what appeared to be a very calm and already paved road at the normal 80mph. This happened right through the place where there is still construction for everyone else. Even today I felt it. However, yesterday was different and when I got back to the office in Meridian, it was 4:45pm. I had shaved off a good 30 minutes of my time somehow. You judge for yourself, but what happened, only God could do. God put in my path a better way to drive, which got me to my destination much faster. Praise God.

If any of you have read Acts, chapter 8, then you would know that what happened to Philip was very similar to my story. The only exception is that he was placed in an entirely new city by the Holy Spirit. Here is a portion of that story… ¹“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, 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.” (Acts 8:36-40) Wow! Isn’t that amazing! We have this eunuch who desired to be baptized after hearing what Philip said about his reading in Isaiah. Jesus was the motivating factor since the Eunuch now knew who Isaiah was speaking about and it was Jesus. He was converted that very moment he knew that Jesus came to die for our sins. And after coming out of the water in baptism, Philip was nowhere to be found, for he was now in the city of Azotus. This is amazing how God transported him there in the spirit. And now I know that this is possible, for God transported me also. My friends, God is real and wants to do miracles in your life if you let Him.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I wish that every person could be transported in the Holy Spirit, but I know that my wish is not possible. For only those people who truly worship You, believe in You, and do Your will, can this miracle and others happen in their lives. I wish I could give people a taste of what living in Your presence is like, for it is amazing, but I cannot tell people what to do. They must decide on there own that they want to live their life for. I can pray that they will turn to follow You in this life and then be with You in the next, but this decision is there’s. Lord, I do not understand how people can desire to go to heaven when they don’t even desire Your presence while in this life. This saddens my soul to think of all the people who are lost in their sins right now and are headed to destruction and hell. People need to be awakened, that they may draw near unto You now in repentance before it is too late. Having a relationship with You, God is something I would never give up. Your ways lead to true happiness and it doesn’t just happen for a moment. There is joy abundant in the moment and it continues, which is remarkable. How wonderful will it be to have Your presence with me at all times in heaven. I want to be where You are. Most of my life I did not live up to Your standards, but I am grateful to be allowed into Your fold now. I love You more than ever and wake up every day knowing that You are on my side. And if You are with me, who can be against me? Lord, take me anywhere You want me to be. Even transport me in the Holy Spirit to places You need me to be at. I am Your willing servant and I love You. I give You praise and glory, this day and forever. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

Acts 8

¹Acts 8 (KJV)
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.