The Samaritans welcomed Philip.

The first missionary opportunity came from the heat of persecution. 

"There broke out a severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem,

and all were scattered

throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria,

except the Apostles.

"Devout men buried Stephen and made a loud lament over him.

"Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the Church;

entering house after house and dragging out men and women,

he handed them over for imprisonment.

Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.

Thus Philip went down to the city of Samaria

and proclaimed the Christ to them.

"With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip

when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing.

For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice,

came out of many possessed people,

and many paralyzed and crippled people were cured.

There was great joy in that city." (Acts 8: 1 - 8).

Philip, the Deacon fled Jerusalem and landed in Samaria. What did he do? He preached the Good News in his new home and converted a large number of people to Christ the Lord. (Cf Acts 8: 5 - 8).

Necessity is the mother of invention. The mother eagle shakes out the nest so that the complacent little eaglets will learn to fly and embrace their life's mission.

Be alert. Be vigilant. Jesus may come like a thief in the night.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com