Today’s Podcast
Today’s Devotional
Today’s background scripture comes from Acts 6. And God says:
In the western world you don’t see much persecution. People like to complain they do, the Ten Commandments are removed from public places. The government prohibits prayer to Me in public ceremonies. Christian holiday names are changed to avoid offending others. But I don’t think of that as persecution, really. All those things are nuisances you can put up with if your faith is strong.
Real persecution still goes on, though. More now than ever in the history of My church. Brave men and women hold onto their faith in the face of torture, financial ruin, loss of everything including their family, even death. And in those countries where persecution seems greatest, My church grows faster than ever.
There is something about those who stand for Me in the face of persecution that others see. Like with Stephen, I give them a joy they cannot explain to others in the middle of that persecution. Yes they suffer the temporary pain that the circumstances bring, but they also feel My presence. They know I am with them in the midst of all their suffering and I will not leave them. They know I live and I live in them.
Expect the world to hate you. There has and will be a battle between good and evil until the end of time. But the end of time may not be as far away as you think. Persecution will increase for those who follow Me. I foretold it and it will happen. But remember, I will never leave you alone. I will stay with you. The momentary suffering will seem as nothing compared to the eternal joy I have in store for you.
So, until I return, take lessons from Stephen, Paul, Peter, and the other apostles, the early Christians and today’s Christians in many lands face persecution. None enjoy it, but they face it knowing that they share in the same suffering My Son faced. They know the world hated him for no reason and they will hate you for no reason…other than you carry the name of Christ. Your perseverance will build My kingdom. It will help others recognize My kingdom is not of this world. It will show others I am worth the worship you give Me.
Today’s Scripture
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – Acts 6
Set – Exodus 27; Acts 6
Go! – Exodus 25-27; Acts 6
Acts 6
1Things were going well, and the number of disciples was growing. But a problem arose. The Greek-speaking believers became frustrated with the Hebrew-speaking believers. The Greeks complained that the Greek-speaking widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. 2 The twelve convened the entire community of disciples.The Twelve: We could solve this problem ourselves, but that wouldn’t be right. We need to focus on proclaiming God’s message, not on distributing food. 3 So, friends, find seven respected men from the community of faith. These men should be full of the Holy Spirit and full of wisdom. Whomever you select we will commission to resolve this matter 4 so we can maintain our focus on praying and serving—not meals—but the message.
5 The whole community—Greek-speaking and Hebrew-speaking—was very pleased with this plan, so they chose seven men: Stephen (a man full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit), Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (a Greek-speaking convert from Antioch). 6 These men were presented to the apostles, who then prayed for them and commissioned them by laying their hands on them. 7 The message of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples continued to increase significantly there in Jerusalem. Even priests in large numbers became obedient to the faith.
8 Stephen continually overflowed with extraordinary grace and power, and he was able to perform a number of miraculous signs and wonders in public view. 9 But eventually a group arose to oppose Stephen and the message to which his signs and wonders pointed. (These men were from a group called the Free Synagogue and included Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicians, and Asians.) 10 The Holy Spirit gave Stephen such wisdom in responding to their arguments that they were humiliated; 11 in retaliation, they spread a vicious rumor: “We heard Stephen speak blasphemies against Moses and God.”
12 Their rumor prompted an uprising that included common people, religious officials, and scholars. They surprised Stephen, grabbed him, and hauled him before the council. 13 They convinced some witnesses to give false testimony.
False Witnesses: This fellow constantly degrades the holy temple and mocks our holy law. 14 With our own ears, we’ve heard him say this Jesus fellow, this Nazarene he’s always talking about, will actually destroy the holy temple and will try to change the sacred customs we received from Moses.
15 The entire council turned its gaze on Stephen to see how he would respond. They were shocked to see his face radiant with peace—as if he were a heavenly messenger.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
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