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Encounter

A relationship with a real loving God is what we were created for, and whether we realize it or not, it is what we are searching for. An encounter with Jesus can change everything.

Let's look at someone in Scripture who had an encounter with Jesus and, more specifically, their response to that encounter.

Philip was one of the 12 OG disciples called to follow Jesus. Imagine for a second that you are Philip, just living your everyday life when Jesus, the Son of God, meets you where you are and calls you to follow Him. Philip had an encounter with Jesus, and it changed his life:

Phillip was there for the feeding of the 5,000.

He had a front-row seat at the Sermon on the mount.

He saw Jesus cast out demons, open blind eyes, and even raise people from the dead!

On top of that, he was a fundamental part of the start of the early church right after Jesus ascended back to Heaven.

An encounter with Jesus changed Philip's life. There's a profound lesson we can learn from Phillip's life.

In the book of John, we read about Jesus calling Philip to be a disciple. Philip's response to this life-changing encounter he had with Jesus was to go and find his friend and tell him about what he had just experienced.

How often do we keep our encounters with Jesus to ourselves?

"Wow, youth group was so life-changing. I am so excited for what Jesus did!"

Parents ask: "How was youth group?"

"It was cool."

Our response to an encounter with Jesus should be to share it with anyone and everyone who will listen.

Philip's encounter with Jesus didn't stay with him; he shared it. Philip shared his encounter with Jesus with Nathaniel, who would also become among the first 12 disciples. If Philip had kept things to himself, the church's history would be completely different.

THINK ABOUT IT! When have you had an encounter with Jesus?

REFLECT! How did you respond to what Jesus did in your life? Did you keep it to yourself, or did you tell someone?

PRAY! Father, thank You for moving into my life! Would you show me someone who needs to hear about You today? Help me share my encounter with You!