Happy Wednesday! We have come to the end of Stephen’s sermon to the Jewish High Council/leaders in Acts chapter seven. Stephen filled with the Holy Spirit is closing up his message with a question and reflection time. Join me as we re-cap andbread, Stephen’s final words to the council.

Re-cap of Stephen’s sermon:

• 3 examples of the Israel Patriarchs and leaders and the significance of the Tabernacle.

• Abraham

• Go to a place I will show you.

• God gave him a promise.

• Joseph

• God gave him a vision.

• He was sold into slavery.

• Eventually became second in charge of Egypt.

• He saved his family and Egypt.

• Moses

• Abandoned and adopted.

• Moses was taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was powerful in both speech and action.

• God called Moses (in Midian) to deliver the Israelites from slavery.

• The Tabernacle

• The Tent of Meeting was carried with Moses and the Israelites as they walked through the desert to the promise land.

• It was a reminder that God was with them.

• God reminded them (David and Solomon) that he did not reside in a Temple – that Heaven is God’s throne and the earth is his footstool. The Temple would be a place of worship and prayer and not God’s home.

BIBLE VERSE – Acts 7:51-53 NLT

⁵¹ “You stubborn people! You are heathen[l] at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you!  ⁵² Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered.  53 You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.”

Reflection:

Throughout the scriptures God showed himself faithful and committed to what He promised. Each time we read a Biblical story on the four points above in the re-cap we are reminded that God’s plans are greater than our own. That God calls who he desires to call, when he desires to call them, for the purpose he wishes to fulfill. While the High Council didn’t believe truth, we need to remember God doesn’t stick to our program or to our idea. Each point above occurred outside of the promised land. The deliverance of God’s people was the theme and the presence of God with them was the main point.

God sent His son Jesus to deliver us and to reconcile us back to God. Let us not be like the High Council/leaders who failed to listen, who failed to understand or who refused to submit to God’s great plan. Let us walk in obedience to God – listening, hearing, doing and going – to be all that God has purposed us to be and do. Let us love one another, stand united in purpose and fulfill God’s plan for our lives as we help others He calls us to help.

God with us!

Prayer:

Father God thank you for your amazing love and compassion. Thank you for never leaving us. Thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ to save us, deliver us, and reconcile us back to you. Forgive us for the times we failed to recognize your presence in our lives. Forgive us for the times when we threw our hands up in frustration and turned to other devices instead of turning to you. Lord, forgive us for the times we fell short and the times we preferred to be disobedient. Forgive us. Cleanse us from our sins and make us whole. Lord, lead us to the place that you desire for us to go, to do the things you have called us to do, and to transform us daily into the likeness of you. Lord, heal the broken, hurt, lost and angry. Lord, press your Holy Spirit so deep into those wounds that the pain of those things begin to get absorbed by you. Remove those toxins from our bodies and use every detail for your purpose so that we can tell the story of your deliverance, grace, and mercy. Lord, heal the sick, comfort those who are grieving and bring peace. Lord be with us today, go before us, and give us favor in every area of our lives in Jesus name, amen!

——–

PRAYER REQUEST
Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://www.biblegateway.com

Copyright ©️ 2017-2030 Mary E. White Ministries, all rights reserved.