To The Death?

  It's funny.  I've read the story of Stephen before...a few times actually.  But I guess I really hadn't READ it, because this last time the Holy Spirit made new things totally jump off the page.  Like REALLY jump off the page.  I love the Holy Spirit.  His power is so amazing.  The Word of the Lord is alive and active..... (Heb 4:12) and the Holy Spirit makes that so evident.
  Anyway, I wanted to share a few things I learned this morning about a man named Stephen.  I am reading out of the book of Acts, primarily chapters 6, 7 and a little from 11 and 22.  Stephen was a man of God.  He ultimately gave his life for God (literally).  He was a follower of the disciples after Jesus death.  He was chosen as one of the "seven" in Acts 6 to organize a feeding program for Grecian Jewish widows.  I would have to infer that Stephen also knew the Greek language.  He was probably gifted in administration as well as teaching, wisdom and discernment.  He was a very gifted man.
  Stephen was also involved in performing miracles via the Holy Spirit.  For this reason opposition against him began within the Synagogue of Freedmen (a Jewish synagogue comprised of former Jewish slaves released by Rome).   The men within this synagogue began to argue with Stephen but could not stand against his "wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke" (Acts 6:10).  These men then secretly persuaded others to slander Stephen, saying they'd heard him blaspheme against Moses and God.  These men stirred up the people, elders and teachers of the law.  These individuals then brought Stephen before the Sanhedrin (the council of religious leaders).  The Sanhedrin (whom also accused Jesus- Matt. 26:59-61) were firm believers in the law of Moses.  They studied only the Law of Moses, and enforced Leviticus 24:14 (a clause in the law requiring stoning for the blaspheme of the Law).  They did not believe Jesus was the Son of God, the fulfillment of the law.  
  While before the Sanhedrin, Stephen was slandered.  Individuals accused him saying, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place (the temple) and against the law.  For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us." (Acts 6:14).  The Freedmen Jews thought this would be effective in stopping Stephen as they knew the "law loving" heart of the Sanhedrin.
  While being accused, the Bible states that Stephen's face was "like the face of an angel" (Acts 6:15).  I am taking that to mean he radiated the Holy Spirit...he was at peace...and was confident.
   When asked by the Sanhedrin if the charges were true, Stephen gave an amazing Spirit filled and Spirit lead recitation of the history of Abraham and the law (Acts 7).  He then ended it by rebuking them and stating that Jesus Christ (whom the Sanhedrin had previously put to death) was the fulfillment of the law.  He told them Jesus was the answer (the only answer) and that they'd (the Sanhedrin) killed him.  In doing so, Stephen signed his death sentence.  At that point, filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen 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 7:56).    At this point the Sanhedrin became a brawl.  The men involved held their ears and begin yelling as loud as they could.  They all rushed at Stephen, drug him out of the city and began stoning him.  Without a trial, Stephen was martyred for Christ.  At the time of his death he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."  Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."  Upon saying this, he then died. (Acts 7:60).  And...standing, holding the clothes of the men stoning Stephen was a man named Saul (Acts 7:60 and Acts 22:20).
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    Fascinating Things I received from Stephen's Story:

1.   The Freedmen Synagogue: little is known of this specific group of people other than they were previous slaves.  This fact is interesting to me.  People previously encumbered by a yoke of slavery embraced more slavery upon themselves by embracing Judaism....so much so that they murdered a man trying to show them true freedom.  How much do I do that????
  2.  The extent Stephen allowed himself to be used by Christ.  Am I willing to give THAT much???
  3.  How much power the Holy Spirit placed within Stephen.  He's willing to fill me completely if I allow Him.  Allowing Him in my life is the IF in the equation.
  4.  The awesomeness of God...He will give us power to do whatever He wants done through us.  God asked physical death of Stephen.  I am so impressed by Stephen's obedience to the point of death.  How willing am I to obey God??
  5.  The impact Stephen's death had on the early Christian movement.  The Christians scattered at that point (fearing death themselves).  The scattering thus brought the message of Christ to a broader spectrum of people.  Including a man named Saul (whom later became known as Paul...the greatest evangelist all of all times).  Never underestimate the outcome of obedience to Christ.

The God Who Whispers

  As Elijah runs away and hides in a cave from Jezebel:   And the word of the Lord came to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" .....The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by."    Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire, came a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.  Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here Elijah?"   
1 Kings 19: 9-13
  Though He can, God does not often talk with the force of the wind.  Though He can, God does not often talk with the rumble and impact of an earthquake.  Though He can, God does not often talk with the blazing presence of fire. God instead talks quietly,  in whispers.  He is a loving God who desires to know you intimately.  What better way to do that than in a quiet place.  A place void of distraction.
  Stop running.  Stop the busyness of life.  Stop what you are doing and listen.  Sit.  In silence.  Wait.  Silently.  Listen for His voice.  Our almighty, powerful God chooses to intimately whisper.   He desires your attention.  Give Him your undivided attention.  Sit and quietly listen.  You will be forever changed.

Obedience

Two great kings.  King David and King Solomon.  Father and son.  David was known as 'a man after God's own heart'.  His cry, "create in me a clean heart, O God" (Psalm 51:10).  His desire was to obey.  He made his mistakes but desired forgiveness.  He knew God was the only way.   He sought after God.
  Solomon became King of Israel after his father, Davids death.  His prayer, "God, give me wisdom" [paraphrased from 1 Kings 3:1-11].  But at the same moment he prayed this prayer he was consciously disobeying God.  God forbid the Israelites from marrying foreign women (to keep their faith from foreign influence) (Exodus 34:16 and Deuteronomy 7:34).  God also forbid sacrifices from being burnt outside the temple (this assured proper supervision to the ceremonies and that God's ways would be maintained...the law would be adhered to) (Deuteronomy 12:13&14).  While Solomon prays for wisdom he is in the process of marrying the princess of Egypt (direct disobedience)...and is burning sacrifices to God on the "high places" (hills above Jerusalem)...(direct disobedience).  God honored Solomon's prayer and gave him wisdom.  Solomon was well known for his wisdom.  However, Solomon did not live out his wisdom in obedience.  His disobedience to God in marrying foreign wives led him into the worship of Molech (the Ammonite god) (as well as many others).  Molech, however, was worshiped via child sacrifice.
  This 'slide' of moral degradation didn't happen all at once.  It was gradual and slow.  Solomon knew what he needed to do.  He was gifted with more wisdom than anyone on earth.  His downfall, disobedience.  He knew the truth, he knew what was right, and chose to ignore it.  Over the course of years, Solomon went from a wise God fearing king (one who built the temple) to the creator of the shrine of Molech.  It was at the hands of Solomon innocent children were murdered.
  Solomon's lineage continued into moral degradation.  His son, Rehoboam born to an Ammonite mother continued the path of disobedience.  His disobedience caused the split in the house of Israel.  Not too many years following, Israel is totally conquered.
  It's interesting to me the difference in these two kings.  David and Solomon both made mistakes.  We all make mistakes. The difference: what they did after the fact.  David sought God and forgiveness.  Solomon did not.  Though Solomon was gifted with wisdom it did him no good.  His wisdom wasn't followed by obedience.
Would I be out of line to say Solomon's wisdom was for naught?  Wisdom without obedience.....useless.

Their stories: 1&2 Samuel, and 1 Kings ch.1 thru 11.

Praise for the Day

God, the feeling surrounding my heart...its amazing...I want more.  I can't get enough...you are amazing...and amazing isn't strong enough a word....I want you...you complete me.  I am so little...but you fill the large void in my heart.  Thank you for being everything.  You are my everything. 

To my Creator

Thank you for knowing me.  I can't pretend with you.  You created me so there's nothing to hide.  You know me.  You understand me.  I can fall into your arms.  I do this knowing you know everything I've done and still you love me.  It feels so good being loved BECAUSE I am your daughter.  Not because of anything I've done.  Feeling totally, completely and thoroughly loved.  Thank you for that.  I can't express my gratitude enough. Thank you.

Grace

     I made a small discovery the other day.  I was studying my Bible in Genesis.  I have read the creation story quite a few times, but never picked up a small detail.  In my years of being a Christian I have known God loves me, and has extended me grace.  He sent his Son to die for me.  In the back of the mind however I have held onto to a picture.  A picture of an iron fisted God throwing Adam and Eve out of the garden....I am not sure why I held on to that picture, but it's always been there, truthfully...shrouding out some of the love and grace God has extended to me.
  Recently while I was studying Genesis again, I noticed something I have never read before.  After Adam and Eve ate of the fruit (of knowledge of good and evil), God discovered and clothed them.  In Genesis 3:22&23 it states, "And the Lord God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil.  He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat and live forever."  So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.
  I read that and had to read it again and again, I don't know why because it makes sense.  My "ah-hah" moment....or maybe "duh" moment.  Yes, God removed them from the garden, but not with an iron fist.  He did it out of LOVE.  Because the tree of life was still in the garden and they still had access to it, they could still eat from it.  If they ate from it, they would live forever in their current state...in separation from God.  God could not allow that to happen, He LOVED them....and had mercy on them......so He removed them (so they couldn't further hurt themselves) from the garden.  He did not "throw" them out, He led them out as a Father would his son.   Hebrews 13:8 says, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever.  The loving God that allowed his son to die on the cross for me was the same loving God that lead Adam and Eve out of the garden.  It's funny how little things, imperceptions can cloud your view of the "big" picture...I never realized how much my previous view of the "garden" affected my understanding and ability to grasp God's grace.

Sweet Assurance

God has laid it on my heart to start a blog solely for His glory.  A journal of the journey I've been on with Christ.  I pray it blesses someone.
Love in Him,

Candis