Acts 7 August 5, 2008

Acts 7:54-60! All of that…

This is an amazing chapter. Its like what every movie ever made that involves martyrdom is based on. Like braveheart only better. Stephen is basicly getting grilled by this group of people and he replies with basicly the whole old testament in a few paragraphs. He ends it with verse 51-53!!! Then verse 54 ” When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.” Not sure what gnash their teeth means but it doesnt sound good. AND THEN!! in verse 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. The crowd COVERS their ears and starts yelling at the top of their lungs as they rush him to stone him. In the end He gave his life gratefully for standing up for God. Even in the face of death he crys out to the Lord to forgive them for what they were doing and to not hold theirs sins against them. EVEN AS HE WAS GETTING PELTED WITH ROCKS! After  he said that the bible says he fell asleep. Im so giddy over this chapter its insane.

God I pray for the courage to stand up for you when it comes down to the right time. THe courage to see it to the very end. Give me a heart like Stephen in this chapter. An unashamed fearless passionate heart to follow after you.

Acts 6 August 4, 2008

Acts 6:10

I was tempted to combine 6&7 because of the length of chapter 6. But i decided not to because i was overlooking what was in chapter 6. Stephen who is described as being a man full of God’s grace and power…………. FULL OF God’s GRACE AND POWER. Right there! Hearing that would picture him being 8 feet tall and a leader of nations and what not. I guess that has nothing to do with physical appearance . It was his heart..Actually he and 6 others were set in charge of waiting tables…….. Humbling serving God.

Lord give me a humble heart to serve you without question. Fill us with your grace and power! Amen