One on One with Jesus

In Acts 8:26-32 we have the wonderful account of Philip being led by the Spirit of God to leave the revival God had used him to spark in Samaria and now head down a road to the desert.
'Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. So he arose and went.' Acts 8:26-27a
If you know the rest of the story, through Philip's obedience to take the desert path, he was further instructed to join himself to a chariot where he would overhear an Ethiopian eunuch reading from the prophet Isaiah, specifically the Messianic chapter of Isaiah 53.
Philip then realized the work of the Spirit and took the initiative to engage the man on the chariot and preach Jesus to him. History tells us, that Ethiopian eunuch would return to Ethiopia and take the gospel to his own country.
Philip's one on one ministry reminds me of one of my favorite books 'The Great Physician' by G. Campbell Morgan. In it the author follows the one on one sessions that our Lord Jesus had with different individuals.
Jesus was a Master Physician, and just like a doctor visit is usually one on one, so Jesus looked into the hearts of each individual and administered the proper instruction and encouragement each of them needed.
Imagine if your physician diagnosed you and all his patients with the same illness and administered the same prescription to all he saw, though you all had different symptoms. That would not be good medical practice, that would be malpractice.
Jesus was an expert at one on one investment and investigative research into what was going on in the individual hearts and lives of those He was able to minister to.
So, as we continue to seek the Lord and spend time studying His life and bask in His love and meditate on the counsel of His Word we will become like Him in the ability to give wise counsel and encouragement to others.
I just flew in from a pastor's conference and my seat on the return flight had been chosen for me, I normally would not choose a middle seat, I like the window because I rarely get up during a flight. I had the opportunity to change my seat but I felt the still small voice of the Lord speak to me or maybe my own heart saying, 'Maybe the Lord put me there to minister to the passengers on my left or right.'
"Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel answered, "Speak, for Your servant hears." (1 Samuel 3:10)
As I pondered that thought I decided not to change my seat. Later another opportunity opened up to give up my seat and receive a $300.00 voucher for a future flight if I took a later flight. The airline had overbooked our flight and was looking for volunteers to give up their seat. I was encouraged by another pastor to join him on volunteering, so I did.
The Lord overruled our decision and we eventually got on the flight. And wouldn't you know it, before I would exit that aircraft God opened a door for me to pray for the passenger seated next to me. Her father in law had just been diagnosed with cancer and she asked if I could take a prayer request. I agreed and then asked if we can pray immediately which she agreed to.
I'm so grateful that I obeyed that still small voice of the Lord speaking to my heart and didn't switch my seat. God obviously had a plan that was greater than my own.
"and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice." (1 Kings 19:12)
I want to encourage you to be sensitive to the still small voice of the Lord directing your heart and take a step of faith to obey the Lord. Then watch Him work wonderfully as He uses you to reach others for His glory!