Day 177 - Job 7-9 & Acts 7:44-60
51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.” ... 54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:51-60 ESV)
What courage displayed by Stephen! He confronts the sins of his hearers and is stoned to death for it. Was it worth it? Stephen’s answer would be a loud “yes.”
Stand up for Jesus even if it means death.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus;
The strife will not be long;
This day the din of battle,
The next the victor's song.
The soldiers overcoming,
Their crown of life shall see
And with the King of Glory
Shall reign eternally.
(Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus, The Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #660 v.4)
Lord, please protect me from those who would take my life. At the same time, grant me courage to stand up for You no matter what the circumstances may be. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Amen.
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