Good Morning! Let’s focus on Stephen and then Paul. We will be having a family holiday time next week… A staycation but with everyone home so we will take the week off and then reassess where we are at with social restrictions . Still plugging away on this post.
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Healing and Discipleship 
Acts 6 World English Bible (WEB)
6 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. 2 The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”
5 These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; 6 whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8 Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen. 10 They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council, 13 and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
Good morning all. I think it is Wednesday today isn’t it? I know the days just run into the other and it is hard to keep track. Haha. Glad to be here this morning our power was out all night and just came back on a bit ago. We were trying to figure out how to do the study somewhere else that had internet if the power did not come back on. But Praise the Lord it did. Glorious day.
Wendy
Good morning Lisa and all!. I think it is Wednesday today though,if my calendar is right ! It is just a thing now to lose track of days Lol! KC
Oh my, yes, definitely Wednesday. I should know.. with Bible study for tonight and two birthdays this week in our home.
The only way I can keep track is it says it on my phone.LOL
vs 1-8. Here it is again, the serving and not only serving, but performing great “wonders and signs among the people”. They also increased the discipleship and the word of God greatly multiplied. Vs. Wow they saw his face like it was the face of an angel and yet they still wanted to kill him.
Wendy
Yah ,that amazed me…the blindness and drive to protect themselves kept them from having that Holy fear of God that came upon so many when they saw or encountered angels! KC
Good Morning!!!
8 Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
10 They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
Lord God, by your Mercy and Grace, let this be our portion by Your Presence.
Rob
Amen!!!
The thought that our human fallen nature actually can’t even withstand wisdom?? …which is the opposite of foolishness? What a great salvation we possess in Yeshua!!KC
WOW! Yes! Of course this did not keep them from killing him.. the ol “shoot the messenger” to try to avoid the message. Self does not want to die and recognizes the threat of the Kingdom thoroughly.
vs 6, Kingdom Key: The Kingdom grows when disciples are made, not converts.
Matthew 28:16-20 New International Version (NIV)
“16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This is a very intensive thing. To disciple someone is to teach them everything that we have learned from the Lord ourselves…. Way different thing then simply getting them to pray a prayer and connecting them with a church. Being connected to a church is excellent, but discipleship is a much more intimate thing that is perhaps often overlooked.
This is the first verse that stood out to me in that we were talking about ‘serving ‘ yesterday.
“So the Twelve called the disciples together and said, “It is not appropriate for us to neglect [teaching] the word of God in order to serve tables and manage the distribution of food.”
Acts 6:2 AMP
https://www.bible.com/1588/act.6.2.amp
It speaks that we must be very clear about what our individual calling is and how we are to ‘serve’ others. The five fold ministry and the wisdom that God was pouring out to them a s they learned how to function in Christ is amazing and clear..and all depended on individuals being filled with the Holy Spirit to either wait on tables ,raise children ,or move from church to church laying foundations of truth in peoples hearts. KC
Amen! I think it is very common for people to have ideas of how things ought to be done but often a shortage of hands to do it. Oh that we would grow in our desire to do both serve hands on and practically. I have heard it commonly said that the pastor and a small handful of people do the lion share of the work of the church… Delegating is such an important part of doing God’s work effectively.
So true!!
Rob
vs 3. Even the job of distributing food required those who had developped excellent fruit of the Spirit. Our individual walks with the Lord and godliness have a huge impact on how effectively we can fulfill the call of God on our lives. it is the two elements working together.. God’s purposes and calling on our lives and our willingness to respond in all sincerity and with all diligence to be transformed into the fullness of what he made us to be that brings the expression of the Kingdom to pass on Earth.
Exactly!KC
Yes I totally agree.WR
Amen!!
Rob
vs 4. The Kingdom thrives when each one does their part with enthusiasm and focus. The disciples work was more effective when they could focus in on what they were made to do.. teach the Word and pray. Perhaps we tend to fall too often into the “jack of all trades and master of none”. From these verses and others I get the picture that we are all intended to be highly or largely specialized and working together as a community.. Like a body with many parts. The unity coming from the diligence of each one hearkening to the Holy Spirit and looking to Jesus Christ the head for direction.
And that is the key, hearkening to the Holy Spirit and looking to Jesus Christ the head for direction. It can go off the rails so quickly, all those involved have to have that personal relationship that really allows you to know God and not having someone else “do it for you” It is so tricky working with human beings, I don’t know how God does it and I am so thankful for His faithfulness and long suffering with our hard headed selves.
Wendy
..and I believe it takes the body functioning as community together ,to speak and confirm to each other what their spiritual gifting or specialty actually is. Often God speaks a word to someone who within themselves feels totally unqualified and unskilled in the area they are called to (ex. Moses). I have often wondered about so many raised in the church‘ feeling so sure within themselves that to fulfill Gods purposes they have to become seminary qualified ‘Pastor” .. in order to be seen as ‘legitimate’ or worthy to speak the things of the gospel or the Kingdom…KC
Yes the more unqualified you feel in my experience the more you have to rely on the Lord. That doesn’t mean it isn’t good to be schooled whether in a seminary or at the feet of a teacher, but we can’t come to think that is enough, without having a deep relationship with Him as well.
I agree with your comment about the body functioning as a community Karen, and I think that is why I love the scriptures where Paul talk about the body of Christ being like a human body, that makes so much sense to me.1Cor, 12:14-27 It works in a church body and in the greater corporate world wide body of Christ.
Wendy
vs 8 What a picture.. “Stephen full of faith and power” … I strongly believe these two things go hand in hand. James 5 says the “prayer of faith” heals the sick. True faith is full of power.
vs 12. They stirred up the people against him. HMMMMmmm.. what a powerful and repeating theme. I see this today quite often. I find it so ironic that on the one hand we are told, and rightfully so, that bullying is not ok. And yet, this is what happens continually and is encouraged via the media. I have never in my life seen neighbours turn on neighbours the way I have in the last 2 months. So much judgement… you should wear a mask, you should wear gloves… whatever you do, don’t wear gloves… stay inside.. go outside. the confusion and mixed messages and pressure to conform to a moving target is like nothing I have personally ever experienced. A handful intentionally curry the favour and try to mobilize whole communities against others. Yes. Mob mentality is something to be aware of and guard against for sure.
So true. Reminds me of the satraps in Daniel, they twisted things so they could bring accusations against Daniel, and other examples throughout scripture. All part of that accusing spirit that is day and night active, to divide and destroy. The Lord rebuke it.
Rob
That is so true and it is easy to get drawn into it. We do have to guard against that and be so sensitive to the Lord’s leading. It feels though that there is a day coming and it may be sooner than we think, that we will have to decide whether to take a stand that is not the popular one, but it is the Lord’s, and we will have to decide if we are ready to do that. We don’t know what the consequences of that may be, but I pray for His wisdom, strength and courage to be mine, in that day, if I am called to do that.
Wendy
. Good morning ! The lake is as smooth as glass today with full sun but lots of black flies! They serve a purpose But it’s harder to be thankful for them! Lol
This stood out..
10 “They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. “
Is it possible that even they recognized he was speaking wisdom and power ?…but were so afraid and protective of their positions they couldn’t stand the thought that their culture , comforts and status would have to change if people responded to what was being preached ? Kc
Acts 7 World English Bible (WEB)
7 The high priest said, “Are these things so?”
2 He said, “Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Get out of your land and away from your relatives, and come into a land which I will show you.’Genesis 12:1 4 Then he came out of the land of the Chaldaeans and lived in Haran. From there, when his father was dead, God moved him into this land, where you are now living. 5 He gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on. He promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his offspring after him, when he still had no child. 6 God spoke in this way: that his offspring would live as aliens in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years. 7 ‘I will judge the nation to which they will be in bondage,’ said God, ‘and after that they will come out, and serve me in this place.’Genesis 15:13-14 8 He gave him the covenant of circumcision. So Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.
In vs 5 I love how Stephen pointed out that even before Abraham had offspring God gave him the promise of them and what would happen to them.
Wendy
This ties right into needing to know which covenants and promises apply to our lives.
Yes Lisa we are going to try and get into the covenants a little more while you are on starvation next week! KC
So interesting that part of walking with God required Abraham to “come out from his relatives”. Biblical key: We are to live set apart. The blood of Jesus should define us even more greatly than our family bloodline.
Forgetting what lays behind… For the Christian, Christ and the new Life in Christ defines us. Not our genetics, not our past. Messiah alone.
Absolutely!!! So much truth here, much more than we are aware of right now. As the days unfold it will become more clear.
Rob
Kingdom Key: Recognizing our citizenship is that of citizen of Zion. Yes, we live in a certain country and town but our true identity, our spiritual passport reads Citizen of the Kingdom of the Son. Let our true identity and not the culture we live in dominate our lives, thinking and all of our activities.
Behaving this way will mark us as surely as if we came from a totally different place in the world. our language ,customs everything so different that it should be plain for all to see.
Amen and Amen!!! So much here, it is without end.
Rob
Yeeeeeeessssssss, Amennnnnn!!
Wendy
9 “The patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt. God was with him, 10 and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt and all his house. 11 Now a famine came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction. Our fathers found no food. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers the first time. 13 On the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s race was revealed to Pharaoh. 14 Joseph sent and summoned Jacob, his father, and all his relatives, seventy-five souls. 15 Jacob went down into Egypt and he died, himself and our fathers, 16 and they were brought back to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver from the children of Hamor of Shechem.
‘Get out of your land and away from your relatives, and come into a land which I will show you.’Genesis 12:1 4
We see here that GOD started the whole beginning of ‘HIS people through telling Abraham to move away from everything familiar, relatives and land ,inheritances etc. To come into something totally new that would come by Gods hand alone.To do that requires great faith. KC
perhaps that is why it is easier to be a missionary someplace other than where we are from
Yes ..”A prophet is without not without honour EXCEPT in his OWN town among his relatives and in his own home” Mark 6:4 KC
What a twist in this story line. The brothers absolutely intended evil and yet Gods hand of blessing, his promise to bless everything the righteous man set his hand to remained true. God’s favour did not keep Joseph from hardship but turned every lemon he was thrown into magnificent lemonade. I find Stephen’s martydom so reassureing. In most of the stories in the Bible, the hero lives. Living or dying doesn’t determine success… living as Christ lived is the focus. Living to fulfill His purposes, live or die, is the desired end of all of His disciples.
Yes like you mentioned the other day noticing and embracing the weight that God puts on things as opposed to our own human thinking can be transformative. He doesn’t put as much weight on ‘our losses ,sufferings and even death …as we do…and certainly doesn’t always save us or protect us from these things. KC
“Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come closer to me.” And they came closer. And he said, “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.”
Genesis 45:4-8 NASB
https://www.bible.com/100/gen.45.4-8.nasb
What has recently become such a cool revelation here is in vs8 where Joseph is saying “it was not you who sent me here, but God;” so it wasn’t even that God turned something bad into good, it was Him who did it!!!! That changed a whole lot of things for me. I love it. So yes we can walk in God’s favour through every hardship or blessing. We need to remember it is Him with us in whatever we are going through at the moment.
Wendy
Amen !In the Joseph story there is such a beautiful picture within of Yeshua and the whole plan of God to save and redeem the very people who rejected him ,his very family, killing Him,but Him bing raised up to save and redeem offering forgiveness, saying to humanity “ as for you, you intended to harm me but God meant it for good..in order to bring about this present outcome,that many people would be kept alive!!KC
17 “But as the time of the promise came close which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, 18 until there arose a different king, who didn’t know Joseph. 19 The same took advantage of our race, and mistreated our fathers, and forced them to throw out their babies, so that they wouldn’t stay alive. 20 At that time Moses was born, and was exceedingly handsome. He was nourished three months in his father’s house. 21 When he was thrown out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up and reared him as her own son. 22 Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He was mighty in his words and works. 23 But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24 Seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him who was oppressed, striking the Egyptian. 25 He supposed that his brothers understood that God, by his hand, was giving them deliverance; but they didn’t understand.
I always find it kind of interesting when the scriptures make a point of mentioning or describing a persons physical …appearance . Moses was “exceedingly handsome, Vashti and Esther were both physically beautiful yet Yeshua didn’t have.any physical qualities that would make us attracted to Him, and I’m sure there are other examples. Since every word of the scriptures are purposeful ..its just interesting to me when these little details are included and what we are to learn from them.KC
quite something to consider
Good morning everyone! We’ll b heading up to the cottage later today and returning on Saturday to enjoy some of this gorgeous weather!
Vs. 23 But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.
This verse both intrigued and comforted me in that Abraham was told directly and very specifically to ‘leave his relatives, beginning a transition into His purpose and destiny whereas with Moses “it came into his heart” to go back to his relatives ,also beginning a transition into his destiny God made something ‘come into his heart ‘ that heralded a great change. This is how God speaks to me for the most part,so this is confirming to know that God speaks in many different ways especially when great change or transitions are about to happen.KC
26 “The day following, he appeared to them as they fought, and urged them to be at peace again, saying, ‘Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you wrong one another?’ 27 But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’Exodus 2:14 29 Moses fled at this saying, and became a stranger in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.
30 “When forty years were fulfilled, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight. As he came close to see, a voice of the Lord came to him, 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’Exodus 3:6 Moses trembled, and dared not look. 33 The Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you stand is holy ground. 34 I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning. I have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you into Egypt.’Exodus 3:5,7-8,10
Key to the Kingdom: The Old Testament is so so relevent for us today. The NT directs us back to the Exodus stories over and over. Revisiting, reviewing, meditating on what has already been revealed over and over again is part of the Christian walk.
Practical applications: Consider reviewing the different stories celebrated during the Jewish Feasts. This is not about celebrating the feasts (by all means do if you feel so led) but that it is an easy, God designed cycle of yearly reviewing key stories and lessons learned and still completely relevent today. These stories provide a rhythm and cycle to our lives and keep us on track for reminding us of the things God has done.
Try to make reading through the whole Bible (we aim for a 3 year cycle) part of your routine. I tend to be focussing on one or two areas of growth while also reading according to a schedule (I like the Moody Church 3 year option as one year is two intensive for me personally)… There are read the Bible in One Year Bibles. Find something that works for you and your family and stick to it even if not perfectly
Yes I love how God’s Calendar and ‘liturgy’ comes back to the same stories taking us deeper and deeper ,showing us new and fresh things ,through the same words! KC
Amen, I love in the Jewish tradition the oral tradition that is so important to them along with the scriptures. That stories get handed down from generation to generation repeating the stories and their heritage. I remember when we were in Israel, one Shabbat, when we were driving into Jerusalem and saw Fathers out on their apartment balconies with their children teaching them and they were listening so intently to their Father. It has been a vivid image that has stayed with me all these years.
Wendy
30 “When forty years were fulfilled, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.
The pattern of forty years again. Repeated many times in scripture. Interesting, as a number of explanations have been presented ie: a generation, a time of testing etc.
Rob
vs 34 “I have surely seen…”God know and God cares…
Good morning on this beautiful sunny day. I love hearing the birds sing. They are rejoicing too. Love His creation.
Two things jump out at me in this passage. First in vs33 God tells Moses to take off his sandals because he is standing on Holy Ground. How often are we standing on Holy Ground, not necessarily physically but in the spirit, and don’t really realize it.?
Second in vs 34 He tells Moses that He has heard the people groaning and seen their affliction. I love that the people only had to be groaning for God to hear them, they didn’t have to be using flowery words or words at all. It is like in
Rom8: “In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words.”
Romans 8:26 AMP
It is so comforting to me that He hears and sees.
Wendy
Good morning! Love this
Kingdom Key: REVERENCE
Practising an awareness that God is with us in everything and everywhere and that others are impacted by how we represent Him is life changing.
1 Corinthians 10:31 World English Bible (WEB)
“31 Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Yes! Words can be so limiting at times…I love words ( and tend to use a lot of them I know LOL) but there are times when the groaning and the prayer language He gives knowing that something is being perfectly expressed from our spirits comes to God’s ears and he hears!KC
35 “This Moses, whom they refused, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—God has sent him as both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out, having worked wonders and signs in Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me.’Deuteronomy 18:15 38 This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living revelations to give to us, 39 to whom our fathers wouldn’t be obedient, but rejected him, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods that will go before us, for as for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we don’t know what has become of him.’Exodus 32:1 41 They made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands. 42 But God turned, and gave them up to serve the army of the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets,
‘Did you offer to me slain animals and sacrifices
forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
43 You took up the tabernacle of Moloch,
the star of your god Rephan,
the figures which you made to worship.
I will carry you awayAmos 5:25-27 beyond Babylon.’
“who made you ruler and judge?” Isn’t it something how much the flesh naturally tends to rejecting God’s appointed leadership? We saw that with the wanting a king instead of the judges that God appointed. We see this between children and parents. We see this in Paul’s life too “Why do you kick against the goads?” (my paraphrase). Even back in Eden.. just something about the physical body that wants to be in control of self. Praise the Lord, He understood this and backed Moses up with signs and wonders so that they would all see that God was the real head and that Moses had been “sent”.
I find it very significant that Jesus sent out His disciples to heal the sick and that signs and wonders were to follow the preaching of the gospel. I believe this has forever been true. To say that God has ceased to confirm His sent ones with humanly impossible signs and wonders is to say that God has done an about face and stopped what He has done through the whole history of our existence.
Kingdom Key: Sign and wonder follow those who believe. If these aren’t following our lives, we have more to believe and to receive from the Lord.
Mark 16WEB “Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 So then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 They went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.
Amen!!!
Rob
Also – V35 “This Moses, whom they refused, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—God has sent him as both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.
God’s power went with Moses through an Angel.
Rob
Amen! WR
Yes I always believe we have more to believe and receive and appropriate!. I love though how we are told that signs and wonders will ‘follow’, which to me means that we are not always going to be aware of the signs and wonders happening behind us as our focus is on Him as we follow Him. I have discouraged myself a lot ,turning around to see if any wondrous things are happening and asked often what is wrong with me that I don’t see the signs and wonders. I have to trust and ask Him constantly to reveal to me anything within that is lacking in my faith ,holding back those signs and wonders.KC
Yes I feel that way too Karen. WR.
Amplified
42 But God turned away [from them] and handed them over to serve the [h]host of heaven.
Fascinating. He turned away from them and handed them over!!
Rob
Yes ,the fact that at some points God ‘hands them over” and turns away is sobering.KC
Yes it is sobering for sure and I don’t ever want to be in that place where He turns away from me, and hands me over. Father God help me to always be seeking you and that you never want to turn away from me. I am so thankful that Jesus is at His right hand interceding for me.
Wendy
44 “Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses commanded him to make it according to the pattern that he had seen; 45 which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered into the possession of the nations, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, to the days of David, 46 who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built him a house. 48 However, the Most High doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says,
49 ‘heaven is my throne,
and the earth a footstool for my feet.
What kind of house will you build me?’ says the Lord.
‘Or what is the place of my rest?
50 Didn’t my hand make all these things?’Isaiah 66:1-2
51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do. 52 Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers. 53 You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and didn’t keep it!”
V48 brings to mind 1 Cor 3:16 Amplified
16 [d]Do you not know and understand that you [the church] are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells [permanently] in you [collectively and individually]? 17 If anyone destroys the temple of God [corrupting it with false doctrine], God will destroy the destroyer; for the temple of God is holy (sacred), and that is what you are.
and
1 Cor 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]? 20 You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honour and glorify God with your body.
Awesome!
Rob
Amen!KC
I have noted during this coronavirus lockdown how many people have expressed missing going to what thy consider is an actual ‘house” of God. I hope though that we will forever appreciate how we have been able to ‘gather’ in the spirit and recognize more that we ,are His place of rest and dwelling, and that we can rest in Him knowing that whether or not we are going to a ‘building’ to worship and be together we can still experience Oneness of spirit which is he is really doing in our ,coming together. KC
Yes I agree Karen. WR
My goodness Stephen did not hold back did he in telling them what they were and what they had done. His boldness came from the Holy Spirit and I can only think that the Holy Spirit gave him the words to say as promised.
“When they bring you before the synagogues and the magistrates and the authorities, do not be worried about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.””
Luke 12:11-12 AMP
https://www.bible.com/1588/luk.12.11-12.amp
Wendy
Yes ,a comforting provision promised right at the time we feel we may have to have something to say or are given the opportunity to speak as boldly as Stephen.KC
54 Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears, then rushed at him with one accord. 58 They threw him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
World English Bible (WEB)
I sometimes feel in these times we live that that same intense reaction to truth being spoken where people actually stopped their ears so they couldn’t hear what was being spoken, is being manifested. Stephen though responded just like Yeshua. ‘Don’t hold this sin agains’t them’ What a single focus Stephen was able to walk in being so filled with the spirit.oh that we would walk with that same focus that seemed to almost make him unaware of the awful thing that was happening to him. He says almost the same words that Jesus said on the cross.’Father I trust my spirit into Your hands” KC
60 He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!
1 John 4:18 Amplified
There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].
I open my heart to receive God’s Love to this depth. No fear and absolute forgiveness.
Rob
Yes Rob, If I’m honest the dread or terror that come to my heart and mind is not death itself but the MANNER in which this body may have to die…and dread is exactly what I face when reading the history of how the disciples died the most gruesome of deaths without denying the Lord. I don’t fear punishment from God.. but what human beings have in mind to ‘punish ‘ someone or ‘take them out is something I still struggle with and if its part of my destiny to suffer a horrible death ,I really do need to open my heart more in trust that God WILL enable me to be so aware of HIm and OTHERS like we see in Stephens death , that self is out of the way completely..so I won’t even be aware of what’s happening . KC
I’ve always thought that visual of them gnashing at Stephen with their teeth is a particularity disturbing one. It reminds me of snarling vicious dogs. Vs60 He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this he fell asleep. This of course is in the pattern of Yeshua on the cross. It has always impacted me deeply that he could say this in the face of such great hatred, but then it goes back to the verses in Ephesians where we are not fighting against the flesh but against spiritual forces and principalities. I pray that I be able to do that when people might come against me in whatever way they do.
Wendy
Blessings. So lots to come back to tomorrow. Let’s resume this post then. Hugs and blessings in Christ. We will be having our Wednesday night Bible Study tonight. Most attend by phone. Let me know if you want to jump in. Blessings
Blessings and love to all. Enjoy this beautiful day. We are having Rob’s sister over for dinner on our back deck this evening. Our first family bubble gathering since this all began. Look forward to tomorrow.
Very fun that you are going to have a family staycation next week Lisa.
Wendy❤️⭕️❌
I need to attend to quite a lot today ,but if I accomplish what needs to be done I’ll try to attend tonight if you are open to me coming over there…I’ll give you a call ! KC
Hello! I need to step away for a bit.. My Mother in Law has just surprised us to wish our son a happy birthday! Please continue without me. i will come back later today and add commentary.
Acts 8 World English Bible (WEB)
8 Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and lamented greatly over him. 3 But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house and dragged both men and women off to prison. 4 Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip when they heard and saw the signs which he did. 7 For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 There was great joy in that city.
9 But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one, 10 to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.” 11 They listened to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.
Good Morning this beautiful Friday. So much in these verses. Wow
Such fickleness in the crowd, some stirred to persecution, murder and wrath and others stirred to hope and joy
signs and wonders and especially mighty healings got the peoples attention even from those who were practising impressive sorceries… healing is a very big deal in the Kingdom being received and reaveled/expressed with power
What kind of reception would Philip have received without these confirming miracles following? How can we expect the gospel to be received today without equally powerful confirmations following the Word today?
I agree wholeheartedly!!! With such deep expectancy for God to pour out His Spirit in the next short time, we stand on the Word that signs follow.
Rob
Yes , we must have this expectancy and anticipation!KC
Yes and what was happening obviously overwhelmed what the sorcerer produced as he ended up converted and following the Lord!KC
4 Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word.
It’s so wonderful that even in the midst of the persecution, the purposes of God were still being done. In fact probably more heard the gospel because they were scattered. He is still doing this today.
Good morning all, what a beautiful day. Just double checking Lisa, you are not going to do the Zoom bible study on Tuesday I would assume as well.
Wendy
Hi Wendy! I will still do the zoom… It is just once in the week and I have booked my niece to help out that morning!
Oh great, that will be fun Lisa. Wendy
Amplified 8 vs1 Saul wholeheartedly approved of Stephen’s death.
What a transformation Saul/Paul experienced.
Rob
13 Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.
Even though Simon had done some miracles, when he got baptized, his eyes were opened and he saw the truth and maybe amazed at the power that he was witnessing that was so much greater than what he had been able to do by sorcery. Yes I believe signs and wonders are something that are very key to people coming to know the Lord. I think that it was such a lie of the enemy that caused people to think that the Holy Spirit, gifts, signs and wonders were ended with the apostles. Think that set things back quite a bit.
Wendy
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16 for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
24 Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.”
25 They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages of the Samaritans. 26 But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert.”
27 He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship. 28 He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.
This story of the Ethiopian is one of my favourited. Here is this man, trying to make heads or tails of it all and God sends him someone to spell it all out. God is so so faithful. I try to always follow up with the promptings that I have to call people, or go places. We are making it part of our daily morning routine to get quiet and listen to what God is trying to communicate with us both about our plans for the day and just in general. Getting quiet and waiting on God so we can hear this kind of leading I think is an essential skill to develop as His followers.
Yes.. it is what the Spirit is leading for all of us I feel.KC
Amen!!!
Rob
vs 33 “re in the poison of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.” Word of knowledge right here. Clearly God was revealing what was going on internally. Of Heavenly Father, that we would have this discernment and perception…. that all roots of bitterness and bondages to sin and generational sins be exposed and repented of to make way for the fulness of the Kindgom. In Yeshua’s name”
Again, Amen!!!
Rob
Yes, Amen WR
Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 wow I’m assuming this was the same Simon the sorcerer who was now following them yet something was revealed in his heart motivation that was amiss. He wanted glory for himself by working ‘impressive miracles’. Oh that God would continue to reveal , unveil, and bring to light any motivations that want a ‘formula’ to work the works of God! kC
Some things truly just cannot be bought. Kingdom’s worth far exceeds money and I think costs much more.. reminds me of the verse “don’t you know you are not your own, but bought and paid for” by the blood of the lamb. I personally feel the cost of the Kingdom is the death of self-ambitious and gains and pleasures. Thoughts?
24 Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.”
So after all that Peter spoke would happen to him because of trying to buy the gifts of God, and having him speak to Simon about what was in his heart, Simon repented. It must have pierced his heart, which reminds me of what happened on the day of Pentecost when Peter spoke to the multitudes and their hearts were pierced and so many came to know the Messiah.
Wendy
May this upcoming Pentecost bring that same piercing of hearts that was experienced then! KC
29 The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.”
30 Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31 He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this,
“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter.
As a lamb before his shearer is silent,
so he doesn’t open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away.
Who will declare His generation?
For his life is taken from the earth.”Isaiah 53:7,8
34 The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?”
35 Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus. 36 As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?”
37 38 He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Good News to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea
vs 33 in his humiliation, his judgement was taken away. ” Acts 8:33 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) “33 In His humiliation He was taken away by distressing and oppressive judgment and justice was denied Him [caused to cease]. Who can describe or relate in full the wickedness of His contemporaries (generation)? For His life is taken from the earth and a bloody death inflicted upon Him.” This is one of the toughest things for us to bear… this idea that there is actually a time when God accomplishes and advances His purposes through the suffering of His people.
1 Peter 4:1-2 BSB “1Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.…”
Yes I would agree, Lisa. The scriptures about suffering are not my favourite. LOL. But really I have experienced in my life suffering and He has gotten me through it and on the other side, I realized that God’s purposes were advanced. Often the anticipation of something can be worse than the thing, because when you are in it with His help you get through it and sometimes even with joy in the process. Would not want to have to do it without Him though. I want the joy in all of it, so that whatever situation I am in whether good or seemingly bad, I will be joyful in Him.
“And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance;”
Romans 5:3 AMP
https://www.bible.com/1588/rom.5.3.amp
Wendy
Well said Wendy! Somehow we do get through the suffering but in anticipating it rather than ‘the joy set before us’… it can be made worse. What we focus on ins SUCH a spiritual principle for what we experience for bad or good. KC
‘arm yourselves with the same resolve’ … a Word for this hour as it’s going to take a certain resolve not to bow down to things other than God.KC
There is a LOT in this passage. But I love this little example of how to perhaps open up a conversation with someone..
“Do you understand what you are reading?” They say the bible is a best seller and if people read it how many understand it.? Father bring us into a place of understanding your Word and being able to explain it with boldness and confidence yet humility.KC
Amen!
Amen WR
vs 35. Such a beautiful picture of biblical baptism. They have this likely lengthy discussion, but as soon as the eunuchs heart gets a revelation of Christ, immediate baptism in water. This is absolutely a repeating theme in the NT. It was often immediately after hearing the good news and believing it (often in the same window) that people were baptized. We can lean towards the analytical and the academic side of things. We often precede these events with months of lessons and or “testing” of a person’s understanding prior to baptism. This picture in scripture is more one of a passionate response to wanting to immediately jump in the deep end, after hearing the truth about God.
Acts 16 BSB”Then Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. 33At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized. 34Then he brought them into his home and set a meal before them. So he and all his household rejoiced that they had come to believe in God.”
This reminds me of another verse.. I am fairly convinced that the truth and the gospel are far more powerful and yet far more simple than perhaps humanly we are inclined to represent them as. A relationship with Jesus is intense and yet simplet. If I am not on guard, religion can quickly slip into my heart and thinking and weight me down to the point of being crushed with a list of to do’s and to don’ts.
Matthew 11:29-30 World English Bible (WEB)
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 23:3-7 World English Bible (WEB)
“3 All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. 5 But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments, 6 and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi by men.”
Confirmation!! I was talking to Wendy of Mathew 11:29 this morning.
Rob
Don’t you just love it when He confirms what He’s speaking that way!KC
Don’t you just love it when He confirms what He’s speaking that way!KC
Yes Words like immediately, and ,straight way and without delay with regards to healing and mind and heart transformations reveal how little power is involved in our speaking … how much has been lost and our need for restoration! KC
vs 39… Do we underestimate God’s power? This business of being translated sounds like something our of startrek. And yet, i now know 2 people who God has translated to different countries and back again. Truly God’s is limitless and beyond our wildest imaginations outside of Christ.
Yes I think that we put our Human limitations on God, and find it very difficult to get our minds around what things He can really do. My cry is to get my mind out of the way and let Him be God. He also took John the apostle to heaven and gave him the book of Revelations. I know a couple of people who have been taken to heaven and not in near death experiences.
Wendy
Little Bunny trail… one of our verses this morning…. From Hannah’s rejoicing over the gitf from God of the life of her son Samuel. I love that the name Jesus, Yeshua, means salvation.
Every time we pray the name Jesus, we are saying in the name of salvation.
1 Samuel 2 King James Version (KJV)
2 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation(Yeshua).
https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/1sa/2/1/t_conc_238001
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H3444&t=KJV
“יְשׁוּעָה yᵉshûwʻâh, yesh-oo’-aw; feminine passive participle of H3467; something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity:—deliverance, health, help(-ing), salvation, save, saving (health), welfare.”
Wow I love that. WR
Acts 9 World English Bible (WEB)
9 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. 4 He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 He said, “Who are you, Lord?”
The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise up and enter into the city, then you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one. 8 Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9 He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
4 He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 He said, “Who are you, Lord?”
The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
This always has met me. Saul persecute, jailed and killed those believers in Jesus Christ and Jesus stated why do you persecute me. Love it.
Rob
Exactly. We can do no wrong to any man without doing it to God Himself. How immensely humbling and powerful to think about.
In vs 5 Saul says, “Who are you Lord” I find that fascinating that Paul knew it was the Lord, but did not know who He was. But then his recognition was immediate when Jesus named himself. I love that even though his heart was filled with persecution’s he was able to turn away from that so quickly when the truth was revealed to him. May that be in me Father God,
Wendy
This idea that all men made in his image are sacred and deserve reverence because of the One who’s image they reflect. WOW
vs 4. This may be the verse that hit me hardest today. The reality is when we are operating from a place of judge, self-vindication, self-defense, sel-promotion etc… We almost invariably (possibly always) end up persecuting Jesus as self-motivation is always at odds with Kingdom motivation. Very often, in these cases, we are completely oblivious that it is the Creator of the universe we have pitted ourselves against, and not at all the foe or challenge that we perceive through our faculties and senses.
Romans 1 “8 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. 20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity, that they may be without excuse. 21 Because knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, and didn’t give thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, four-footed animals, and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves; 25 who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. 28 Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, 30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.”
It has become relatively common to hear people lamenting.. How could a good God permit ________? Perhaps a more relevent question is “How can we be surprised when bad things happen when we have intentionally and increasingly for decades excluded and forbidden the presence of the very source of all goodness, peace and love?” When we exclude God and forbid Him from our fellowship, how can we be surprised at the loss of the amazingly good things that exist in His presence alone? What the hurting world needs is God restored to His rightful position so once more all of creation can be blessed by the abundance and provisions that flow in His presence alone. Come Lord Jesus Come. Heavenly Father, take up Your residence among us again… In Yeshua’s name (in the name of Salvation Himself).
Amen, that is so true Lisa. He needs to be restored to His rightful place as KIng and Lord of this earth.
Have a wonderful staycation with your family. Will look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.
Love and blessings, Wendy❤️
The mystery of oneness is great. I have always loved John 17. So much, so much.
Rob
Blessings! Have a wonderful weekend. Looking forward to seeing you all on Tuesday.