Even when people didn't "get him," even when it was incredibly difficult, even in the very face of death, for Stephen it was all about loving Jesus, serving others, and walking in obedience. Jesus was a role model for Stephen... and me.
Lord, life can be difficult. Help me to love you, serve others, and walk in obedience today. Fill me with your Holy Spirit today, so that I may sing your praises even in the midst of potential flying stones.
Verse 58 - "Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul."
I read this chapter, and see how Stephen gives the Sanhedrin a history lesson right up to the very day of his death; and I feel great comfort knowing our God is in control and knows everything. Every event, every conversation, every thought that anyone has ever had, is used by God in some way - either to mold us, mold someone else.
All of these events Stephen describes were part of God's plan; right up to the point that day that Stephen went home to be with the Lord - as the false witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of the person who God was working on that day - Saul.
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. Acts 7:55
Here is the first picture of the gates of heaven being opened for us by the grace of God through Jesus' death on the cross. And the powerful gift of the Spirit made available to all through the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, gives Stephen the ability to look up, even in the midst of unimaginable horror. At which time, you give him a picture of what is waiting for him.
By grace, through the sacrifice of Jesus, whose blood washed me clean, whose resurrection and ascension brought forth the gift of the Holy Spirit to dwell in me, so that He may empower me to keep my eyes focused on heaven, I can stand strong and proclaim the name of Jesus so that others may know Him.
Father, how can I not be overwhelmed by the realization that you have given me the same power as you gave Stephen. Thank you, Father, that you have equipped me with everything I need to walk life's journey with strength and courage until the day when the gates of heaven are opened for me, and I will see Jesus standing at your right hand, waiting for me.
verse 60, "Then he fell on his knees and cried out, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' When he had said this, he fell asleep."
Forgiveness freely given even when it cost Stephen his life. That kind of forgiveness is beyond my ability and I think it was beyond Stephen's as well. It was only because he was "full of the Holy Spirit" that he was able to bring that level of forgiveness to this moment at the end of his life. It was God's power in him that Stephen could speak those words.
I want the power of God to be so evident in me that in all circumstances of my life I am totally directed by God's will. I want to submit my will to God. I want to decrease that God might increase.
Stephen was a humble servant - he served, according to Acts 6, widows and he waited on tables. That was his gift. That was his call in life. As a humble servant of Jesus Stephen's life was taken - because he was obedient and he spoke the truth.
Stephen is an incredible example of a fully devoted follower of Jesus.
"You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!" This statement from Stephen has continued for 2000 more years. Why is it we resist the Holy Spirit still. Is it comfort, tradition, risk, being self-centered or just not in tune enough to realize? Oh to be like Stephen and be such a fully devoted follower that I can be filled with the Holy Spirit to such an extent that I am willing to die for it.
But God was with him 10 and rescued him from all his troubles.
Why is it so hard for us to fathom that Christ will do the same for us ? God is with us all the time. He is all powerful, all knowing and he can rescue us from anything !! We just have to learn to lean on, to trust and to have faith in Christ Jesus.
Our faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So in order to withstand the wiles of the Devil to OVERCOME our problems, because GOD is VICTORIOUS, we must read his word daily, and to put on the full armour of God.
God's word gives us patience to endure, God's word gives us the perserverance. Any time you are ready to Give up and Give into your problem, cry out to God, for HE IS FAITHFUL.
I am still waiting on my marriage restoration, and struggling with the patience. GOD has shown me how faithful HE is, and HE gives me reminders, which do strenghten, and encourage me to perservere.
God has helped me to minister to ones who had no home, to give them hope, and next thing you know God provided. HE is faithful, and Loving and JUST.
My prayer is that God will give everyone here at charteroak the strength and the courage to perservere thru their problems, because the perserverance leads to a closer relationship with the Heavenly Father. I know that my restoration has a while to go, because I am not done learning about my Heavenly Father yet. Everyday, I thank him for allowing me to suffer this loss of my marriage. Without it, God would not have had the servant that he has in me today, and I would not have known my FATHER the way I do. Thank you Lord for be so wonderful !!
Acts 7:51 ". . . You are just like your fathers. You always resist the Holy Spirit!"
Observation: Are we so different? Am I so different? Application: Oh, to leave my comfort zone and go where the Holy Spirit wants me to go! Prayer: Oh, God, what is this fear that holds me back?
Charter Oak Church is a family of Jesus followers who want to reach out to those who are searching and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
Even when people didn't "get him," even when it was incredibly difficult, even in the very face of death, for Stephen it was all about loving Jesus, serving others, and walking in obedience. Jesus was a role model for Stephen... and me.
ReplyDeleteLord, life can be difficult. Help me to love you, serve others, and walk in obedience today. Fill me with your Holy Spirit today, so that I may sing your praises even in the midst of potential flying stones.
Help me to take the next right step today.
Verse 58 - "Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul."
ReplyDeleteI read this chapter, and see how Stephen gives the Sanhedrin a history lesson right up to the very day of his death; and I feel great comfort knowing our God is in control and knows everything. Every event, every conversation, every thought that anyone has ever had, is used by God in some way - either to mold us, mold someone else.
All of these events Stephen describes were part of God's plan; right up to the point that day that Stephen went home to be with the Lord - as the false witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of the person who God was working on that day - Saul.
God is still in control!
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. Acts 7:55
ReplyDeleteHere is the first picture of the gates of heaven being opened for us by the grace of God through Jesus' death on the cross. And the powerful gift of the Spirit made available to all through the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, gives Stephen the ability to look up, even in the midst of unimaginable horror. At which time, you give him a picture of what is waiting for him.
By grace, through the sacrifice of Jesus, whose blood washed me clean, whose resurrection and ascension brought forth the gift of the Holy Spirit to dwell in me, so that He may empower me to keep my eyes focused on heaven, I can stand strong and proclaim the name of Jesus so that others may know Him.
Father, how can I not be overwhelmed by the realization that you have given me the same power as you gave Stephen. Thank you, Father, that you have equipped me with everything I need to walk life's journey with strength and courage until the day when the gates of heaven are opened for me, and I will see Jesus standing at your right hand, waiting for me.
verse 60, "Then he fell on his knees and cried out, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' When he had said this, he fell asleep."
ReplyDeleteForgiveness freely given even when it cost Stephen his life. That kind of forgiveness is beyond my ability and I think it was beyond Stephen's as well. It was only because he was "full of the Holy Spirit" that he was able to bring that level of forgiveness to this moment at the end of his life. It was God's power in him that Stephen could speak those words.
I want the power of God to be so evident in me that in all circumstances of my life I am totally directed by God's will. I want to submit my will to God. I want to decrease that God might increase.
Stephen was a humble servant - he served, according to Acts 6, widows and he waited on tables. That was his gift. That was his call in life. As a humble servant of Jesus Stephen's life was taken - because he was obedient and he spoke the truth.
Stephen is an incredible example of a fully devoted follower of Jesus.
"You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!" This statement from Stephen has continued for 2000 more years. Why is it we resist the Holy Spirit still. Is it comfort, tradition, risk, being self-centered or just not in tune enough to realize? Oh to be like Stephen and be such a fully devoted follower that I can be filled with the Holy Spirit to such an extent that I am willing to die for it.
ReplyDeleteBut God was with him
ReplyDelete10 and rescued him from all his troubles.
Why is it so hard for us to fathom that Christ will do the same for us ? God is with us all the time. He is all powerful, all knowing and he can rescue us from anything !! We just have to learn to lean on, to trust and to have faith in Christ Jesus.
Our faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So in order to withstand the wiles of the Devil to OVERCOME our problems, because GOD is VICTORIOUS, we must read his word daily, and to put on the full armour of God.
God's word gives us patience to endure, God's word gives us the perserverance. Any time you are ready to Give up and Give into your problem, cry out to God, for HE IS FAITHFUL.
I am still waiting on my marriage restoration, and struggling with the patience. GOD has shown me how faithful HE is, and HE gives me reminders, which do strenghten, and encourage me to perservere.
God has helped me to minister to ones who had no home, to give them hope, and next thing you know God provided. HE is faithful, and Loving and JUST.
My prayer is that God will give everyone here at charteroak the strength and the courage to perservere thru their problems, because the perserverance leads to a closer relationship with the Heavenly Father. I know that my restoration has a while to go, because I am not done learning about my Heavenly Father yet. Everyday, I thank him for allowing me to suffer this loss of my marriage. Without it, God would not have had the servant that he has in me today, and I would not have known my FATHER the way I do. Thank you Lord for be so wonderful !!
Acts 7:51 ". . . You are just like your fathers. You always resist the Holy Spirit!"
ReplyDeleteObservation: Are we so different?
Am I so different?
Application: Oh, to leave my comfort zone and go where the Holy Spirit wants me to go!
Prayer: Oh, God, what is this fear that holds me back?