Acts 7

Today I read Acts chapter 7. It is about Stephen, when he was brought before the council for supposedly speaking blasphemy against God and Moses. Once he is before the council he tells them the story of the people of Israel, from Abraham and the covenant of Moses to Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. It is a wonderful summary of the the stories from the Old Testament and Stephen begs them not to do as their forefathers did, but to turn to Christ. He points out that the people of Israel rejected Moses after seeing him kill the Egyptian, but he was the one God sent to deliver them. Unfortunately the people just became more angry at Stephen in stead of listening to him and decided to stone him. Just before he died, he cried out to the father to not hold this sin against them. What a beautiful example of the love of Christ.

I got to thinking about the history of Israel, God's people, and the suffering that so many faced. It is really a wonderful illustration of God's love, patience, and perfect planning. Take Joseph for example. He was most loved by his father which made his brothers jealous, so they sold him into slavery. He then got a position as right hand to a wealthy man, but fell into a trap by his master's wife and was thrown in prison. How horrible he must have felt, how difficult it would have been to understand. I am sure he asked God why, what have I done? He probably hadn't expected all of this when he had those dreams about his brothers bowing down and being under him. But if he hadn't been sold into slavery and if he hadn't gone to prison, he would not have been there to interpret dreams for those two men, he would not have been brought to the king to interpret a dream, and later become the king's right hand man. If he hadn't become the king's right hand man than he wouldn't have had the power to save his brothers, the fore-fathers of the people of Israel from starvation. After they moved to Egypt to be closer to Joseph, a new king arose who put the Israelites into slavery. Then along comes Moses, who even though it was heart wrenching for his mother, went to live as an Egyptian, which prepared him even better to lead his people out of the land. He was raised and trained as a leader, he was an Israelite so he could relate to them too, and he brought them away from the horrible life they were living. Now see how just one event being removed from this chain could have made the whole thing so very different.

This passage not only reminds me not to follow the path of the forefathers and reject Christ who is God's chosen deliverer for all mankind, but it also makes me think about how the Bible says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 Another thing that I thought about after reading this passage is the example that Stephen was, he did not fight them as the captured him and took him before the council, he knew his Bible well enough to summarize, including time frames, a great deal of the Old Testament, he said what he had to say in a respectful, loving manner, and he still asked God to forgive them and not hold this sin against them just before he died. He didn't let fear, anger, or bitterness take control of him, but allowed the presence of the Holy Spirit to be evident throughout the whole ordeal.

Acts is definitely one of my favorite books of the Bible for a number of reasons and this chapter is one of them.

Spiritual Health First, Everything Else Second!

As I read my Parenting by design devotional this morning I realized that I have been failing miserably at on of the most important aspects of being a good parent. I have a lot on my plate right now and as a result have really been forgoing my time with God as a result. Why is it so often that we never have enough time for everything and it is so tempting to make time with God the first thing to go. God is to be the center of our world and he is supposed to come first, everything else is supposed to come second. Have you ever noticed that when you start your day in the word and pray even if for only a few minutes, that your day goes much better? But if you neglect that time alone with your savior then look out!

The end of today's reading said this, "Forsaking time with God, even when you spend that time on family , can leave you empty and ineffective. Take care of your spiritual health so you will be strong when difficult times come." Its simple and to the point, but had a profound effect on me this morning. I often forsake time with God because I have a lesson for my online class due, or Jaden is not feeling well and wants me to snuggle with him, or Luis needs supper cooked so he can go to work. These are not bad things to occupy my time, but I still need time for God or I won't be able to do those things with love and patience and focus. I will find everything goes wrong and that I supper burned or Jaden seems especially cranky, or my lesson is too confusing. Its actually worth putting everything aside for even 15 minutes in the word with God.

So here is to getting back on track and making the effort to take care of my spiritual health first and letting everything else fall into place as it should. Think about it, if you need work in this area too then don't wait until next week, but get started now! Wish me luck!

I Peter 3:14-16

This passage is one of my favorites for sure. There have been a good many times that I have turned to these verses for comfort strength and a reminder of the hope that is in me.

"But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. "

Christ is Lord in my heart and I need to live like it every moment of every day, sometimes I fail, sometimes I stumble off the path, but that hope is still within me and Christ will never leave. No matter how much we suffer, how much trouble we face or how much we lose sight of the goal we are all creations of Christ, called according to his purpose and we have a hope that cannot be hidden or silenced.

So lets ask ourselves, are we ready to give an account for the hope that is in us? Do we let others see that hope every day so that they know to ask? I hope and pray that that hope will become more evident in me every day and that I bring honor and glory to God in all that I do, from this day forward.