The Jews accused Stephen of blaspheme, of seeking to undermine the Law of God, and of speaking against the Temple. It was all lies, but the High Priest interrogates him any way.
Taking advantage of the situation, Stephen preaches a message about their history, reminding them how they turned to other gods and how God judged them.
Acts 7:54-55 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
They drag him outside the city, throw rocks at him, tearing his skin, bruising his muscles, and breaking his bones. During this time Stephen looks up and sees the Glory of God as he passes through The Shadow of the Valley of Death into the very presence of the Lord.
Not everyone walks out of Death Valley alive. Whether we walk out to victory or wake up in the presence of our Lord, the Lord is with us. The death of Saints is not a bad thing. That was my thinking when I had breast cancer twenty years ago.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Friday, May 26, 2017
Faith In The Will Of God
It must be a little confusing at times, but people belonging to Jesus must learn to place their faith in Him and His will for our lives. --- Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
Faith in God is to be willing to submit to His will even when we don't understand. God's will and our will are entirely different.
The secret of getting our needs met by God is trusting that He knows what’s best for our lives.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Faith in God is to be willing to submit to His will even when we don't understand. God's will and our will are entirely different.
The secret of getting our needs met by God is trusting that He knows what’s best for our lives.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
God's Word Hid In My Heart
One of the first scriptures I memorized at Bible School was about hiding God’s Word in my heart.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Over the years I learned that the Word of God is more precious than mere memory or knowledge. Hiding God's Word in my heart gives me blessed assurance in troubled times and promises to lean on.
I never want to reach the place that I feel satisfied and content in my relationship with Christ.
I want to spend more time in His Word. I want it to mold and transform my life, to lead me in the path of righteousness.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Over the years I learned that the Word of God is more precious than mere memory or knowledge. Hiding God's Word in my heart gives me blessed assurance in troubled times and promises to lean on.
I never want to reach the place that I feel satisfied and content in my relationship with Christ.
I want to spend more time in His Word. I want it to mold and transform my life, to lead me in the path of righteousness.
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Peace
Someone recently posted the following on Facebook. “Why can’t we just have peace?”
Nations will only have peace in the Kingdom of Jesus when He returns to earth.
We can have everlasting peace when we believe on Jesus -- when we ask Him to forgive our sins (Rom. 3:23, Eph. 2:8-9).
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
If you are a believer, you know that everlasting peace that only God can give.
If you are not a believer, Jesus will take you as you are when you believe on Him. Seek Him. Trust Him.
Romans 5:1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Nations will only have peace in the Kingdom of Jesus when He returns to earth.
We can have everlasting peace when we believe on Jesus -- when we ask Him to forgive our sins (Rom. 3:23, Eph. 2:8-9).
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
If you are a believer, you know that everlasting peace that only God can give.
If you are not a believer, Jesus will take you as you are when you believe on Him. Seek Him. Trust Him.
Romans 5:1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
God Uses The Unlikely
When God went to chose an Apostle to go to the Gentiles, He didn’t look inside the church but to the unlikely – a persecutor of Christians. The Lord saved and refined Paul into a great missionary and used him to help write the Bible.
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
When God went to chose a new king for Israel, He didn’t look in Saul’s palace. He found a young shepherd boy named David – a man after His own heart.
When God sought a man to lead His people out of Egypt, He found a washed up, eighty-year-old fugitive who was keeping his father-in-law’s sheep. He empowered him to be the Moses.
God can take us in spite of what the world and the past has tried to do to us. He can shape us into a vessel of honor for His glory -- far above our expectations -- if we let Him.
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
When God went to chose a new king for Israel, He didn’t look in Saul’s palace. He found a young shepherd boy named David – a man after His own heart.
When God sought a man to lead His people out of Egypt, He found a washed up, eighty-year-old fugitive who was keeping his father-in-law’s sheep. He empowered him to be the Moses.
God can take us in spite of what the world and the past has tried to do to us. He can shape us into a vessel of honor for His glory -- far above our expectations -- if we let Him.
Monday, May 22, 2017
Joy In The Will Of God
Do you ever do things you don’t want to do? I don’t like cleaning the kitchen after a meal, but it has to be done.
When the Lord told Simon Peter to let down his nets, Peter didn't want to. He had fished all night, caught nothing and was tired. But he obeyed because it was Jesus speaking.
Luke 5:4-5 . . . . he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
Because of obedience, Peter, James, and John caught so many fish that the nets broke. They had to get help and the boat began to sink with the stash.
The miracle brought these fishermen to their knees in worship of the Person and Power of Jesus.
The secret to joy as a child of God is absolute surrender to His will in every area of life,
When the Lord told Simon Peter to let down his nets, Peter didn't want to. He had fished all night, caught nothing and was tired. But he obeyed because it was Jesus speaking.
Luke 5:4-5 . . . . he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
Because of obedience, Peter, James, and John caught so many fish that the nets broke. They had to get help and the boat began to sink with the stash.
The miracle brought these fishermen to their knees in worship of the Person and Power of Jesus.
The secret to joy as a child of God is absolute surrender to His will in every area of life,
Sunday, May 21, 2017
God And Hopeless Places
When the Lord brings you to a place where only Jesus can help, He has done you a tremendous favor.
Why? He is more than enough for your need. He will never leave you. He is a faithful Friend and a very present help.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Whether it's a blizzard, a tumor, a hurricane, a brush with death, a sick child or any trouble that comes your way – Jesus is there for His own, wrapping you in His arms of comfort, assuring you that everything is going to be all right.
I’ve seen the glory of God in hopeless places. Trust Him. Praise Him!
Why? He is more than enough for your need. He will never leave you. He is a faithful Friend and a very present help.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Whether it's a blizzard, a tumor, a hurricane, a brush with death, a sick child or any trouble that comes your way – Jesus is there for His own, wrapping you in His arms of comfort, assuring you that everything is going to be all right.
I’ve seen the glory of God in hopeless places. Trust Him. Praise Him!
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