"But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing...." (Acts 7:55)
My Dad once said the reason Jesus was, "standing," was that He was honoring Stephen. Would to God that He could "stand" for me.
Stephen was a young deacon, serving at tables, taking care of widows, etc. He was not what some call today a "full time worker." He loved Jesus Christ and bore witness to Jesus Christ. He took the Jews through their history, showing the faithfulness of God and their unfaithfulness. The purpose was to bring forth repentance and surrender to Jesus Christ. For this he was murdered. The future Apostle, who was to write most of the New Testament Epistles, guarded the clothes of the murderers.
Anyone who is "prophetic" will have enemies. Their enemies will be people who are quite satisfied with their lives, and all they wish to hear is how wonderful they are, affirm their present life style, no challenge to, "bring...fruit to perfection." But friends of the prophetic realize that man lives, "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." As difficult as it might have been to listen to Stephen's exhortation, it was for their good. The purpose was to bring them to repentance, a change of mind and heart, which brings obedience to Jesus Christ. This is the purpose of the Word of God.
If I want anyone to stand for me in honor, may it be Jesus Christ. If I could just see Jesus standing for me, all will be well.
Father, in Jesus' Name, grant me such favor. Amen.
*********************
ATTENTION: For the best insight I have read concerning the growing Islamic victory, go to: www.apf327.blogspot.com
My Dad once said the reason Jesus was, "standing," was that He was honoring Stephen. Would to God that He could "stand" for me.
Stephen was a young deacon, serving at tables, taking care of widows, etc. He was not what some call today a "full time worker." He loved Jesus Christ and bore witness to Jesus Christ. He took the Jews through their history, showing the faithfulness of God and their unfaithfulness. The purpose was to bring forth repentance and surrender to Jesus Christ. For this he was murdered. The future Apostle, who was to write most of the New Testament Epistles, guarded the clothes of the murderers.
Anyone who is "prophetic" will have enemies. Their enemies will be people who are quite satisfied with their lives, and all they wish to hear is how wonderful they are, affirm their present life style, no challenge to, "bring...fruit to perfection." But friends of the prophetic realize that man lives, "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." As difficult as it might have been to listen to Stephen's exhortation, it was for their good. The purpose was to bring them to repentance, a change of mind and heart, which brings obedience to Jesus Christ. This is the purpose of the Word of God.
If I want anyone to stand for me in honor, may it be Jesus Christ. If I could just see Jesus standing for me, all will be well.
Father, in Jesus' Name, grant me such favor. Amen.
*********************
ATTENTION: For the best insight I have read concerning the growing Islamic victory, go to: www.apf327.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
