Today's reading in Acts 8 focuses on persecution in the church. After you read it, will you stop to pray for our brothers and sisters around the globe who are facing persecution? You can find out specifics here.
You and I don't want to face persecution; however, God often uses it in our lives to get us to move and to do what He has asked of us. Word to the wise - Go and preach the gospel whenever and wherever the Spirit of God prompts you. Do not wait for God to bring persecution into your life to make you willing to move. The pattern in my life has been God making me uncomfortable so I will go where He leads. Let's get out of our comfort zones willingly, girls, and go spread the Word.
Now let's look at some specifics from Acts. Saul, who became Paul, the writer of half of our New Testament, stood there to hold the coats of those who stoned Stephen for being a follower of Jesus. This sparked a great persecution in Jerusalem and the surrounding area, and believers scattered to the uttermost parts of the earth. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8) God used Saul to scatter the believers; then God changed Saul's life in Acts 9. This great persecutor became the apostle Paul, and God used him to disciple the new church. Talk about a changed life! Murderer to life saver. Death threats to eternal life.
I want to point out a couple of first mentions: Barnabas in Acts 4:36-37, and Saul in Acts 7:58-8:3. What an unlikely pair! Good cop. Bad cop. Encourager. Persecutor. It makes me think of the story in Luke 7, where Jesus teaches the lesson that those who are forgiven much will love much.
Acts 8 ends with the story of Philip teaching and baptizing an Ethiopian government official. Today will you join me in asking the Spirit of God to fill you? Will you let the Spirit move you where He wants you? It's an exciting journey, girlfriend!
You and I don't want to face persecution; however, God often uses it in our lives to get us to move and to do what He has asked of us. Word to the wise - Go and preach the gospel whenever and wherever the Spirit of God prompts you. Do not wait for God to bring persecution into your life to make you willing to move. The pattern in my life has been God making me uncomfortable so I will go where He leads. Let's get out of our comfort zones willingly, girls, and go spread the Word.
Now let's look at some specifics from Acts. Saul, who became Paul, the writer of half of our New Testament, stood there to hold the coats of those who stoned Stephen for being a follower of Jesus. This sparked a great persecution in Jerusalem and the surrounding area, and believers scattered to the uttermost parts of the earth. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8) God used Saul to scatter the believers; then God changed Saul's life in Acts 9. This great persecutor became the apostle Paul, and God used him to disciple the new church. Talk about a changed life! Murderer to life saver. Death threats to eternal life.
I want to point out a couple of first mentions: Barnabas in Acts 4:36-37, and Saul in Acts 7:58-8:3. What an unlikely pair! Good cop. Bad cop. Encourager. Persecutor. It makes me think of the story in Luke 7, where Jesus teaches the lesson that those who are forgiven much will love much.
Acts 8 ends with the story of Philip teaching and baptizing an Ethiopian government official. Today will you join me in asking the Spirit of God to fill you? Will you let the Spirit move you where He wants you? It's an exciting journey, girlfriend!
No comments:
Post a Comment