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Being Faithful In The Midst Of Suffering
Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Acts 16:1-2, NIV The first time Paul visited Lystra, he was stoned and greatly persecuted. It wasn’t an easy journey for him. In Acts 14:19, it was written, “Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.” If these people thought that Paul was dead, then it was evident that he was in great pain. But…
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We Never Really Know How God Will Turn Things Around
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. Acts 11: 19-20, NIV The death of Stephen became one of the reasons why the early Christians were scattered in different places. Even though what happened to him was a tragic event, it seems that it became a way for them to share the gospel outside Jerusalem. The bad things that happened…
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Let’s Pray That God Will Teach Us How To Let Go Of The Grudges Inside
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 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. Acts 7: 59-60, NIV Stephen died with faith in his heart. He chose to pray even when he was in pain and suffering. In fact, he didn’t hold grudges. With a humble heart, he asked God to forgive those people who stoned him. If I experienced the same pain, most probably I would complain and ask God for questions. But Stephen did the exact opposite. His life is a great reminder for me…
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Suffering for Christ
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. Acts 7:57-58, NIV When Stephen tried to defend himself from false accusations, he was stoned and killed by people. He followed Jesus, yet He didn’t have an easy life. In fact, he was threatened. Stephen went through suffering for preaching the gospel. In the eyes of the world, what Stephen experienced was a sad story. But God used it to open our eyes about the…
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Because Of The Holy Spirit, We Will Experience Jesus In Unexpected Ways
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55 -56, NIV Stephen was accused and condemned before the Sanhedrin. People treated him as a threat. They felt furious the moment he finished explaining himself. He was in the middle of an interrogation, and when he was full of the Holy Spirit, he chose to look up to heaven. That’s when he saw the glory of God. In the midst of a difficult…
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Keep Your Faith Even When You Are Accused Or Misunderstood
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Acts 6:15, NIV Stephen was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. He boldly testified about who Jesus is. He also performed miracles and wonders among the people. Because of this, opposition arose, and some members of the synagogue argued with him. He was brought before the Sanhedrin, and he heard false accusations from people who opposed his beliefs. They were looking intently at Stephen. And instead of seeing a terrified man, what they saw was a face of an angel. Perhaps Stephen was…
