Day 344 - (Today’s Bible readings: Joshua 22:1-20; Psalm 132; Acts 7:54-8:8)
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 and what compassion displayed by Stephen! He confronts the sins of his hearers, calls for their forgiveness and is stoned to death. Was it worth it? Stephen’s answer would be a loud “yes,” for he knew that his purpose in life was to be a witness for Jesus.
Share Jesus with others who need him just as desperately as you do, even if it could lead to dire circumstances.
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 and share Your loving call to others no matter what may happen to me. Yes, Lord, allow me the privilege of telling someone about You today. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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