September 2, 2019
Monday, September 2, 2019 at 12:01AM September 2
Running with Jesus
Acts 6:12-13 "And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:"
Stephen was busy doing His Father's business ministering and leading people to Christ and verse 9 says,
“Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen."
Stephen was doing a great work and the devil couldn't stand it, so what does he do? He stirs up the RELIGIOUS leaders who loved their power and position. These were men who had rejected the Messiah, Jesus Christ! They despised Stephen so much they even found false witness to say He was guilty of blasphemy.
When people have their own agendas apart from God, they will go to the extreme to maintain their own power and position. These men were wise in their own eyes and had they truly known God they would have known Jesus was the Messiah. Their personal agendas would lead them to kill innocent men. We must examine ourselves today and make sure our faith-life is true faith and not just religious people who have our own personal agendas. When we have personal agendas instead of God's agendas we cause confusion in the body of Christ and sow discord. We must humble ourselves and examine all of our motives in serving.
Father, help us today to lay down anything that has selfish motives at the center. Help us to seek to help encourage our fellow laborer so that Your kingdom work can go forward. Take out self and put in Your Spirit. Take out negative thoughts we might have toward a brother and put in pure thoughts. Guide us along and help us to see where You are working and join You in helping to reconcile the world through the blood of Christ.
In the morning what happens when we tell people the truth, Stephen didn't back down and it will cost him! Don't miss this scene.
Judy Hollaway
Originally penned 2015
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