Acts 7:54–8:1

7:54
When they heard these things, they became furious and ground their teeth
at him.
55
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently toward heaven and
saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
56
“Look!” he said. “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at
the right hand of God!”
57
But they covered their ears, shouting out with a loud voice, and rushed at
him with one intent.
58
When they had driven him out of the city, they began to stone him, and the
witnesses laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59
They continued to stone Stephen while he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my
spirit!”
60
Then he fell to his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not
hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he died.
8:1
And Saul agreed completely with killing him. Now on that day a great
persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the
apostles were forced to scatter throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.

One thought:

With eyes fixed on our future hope of seeing God face to face in paradise – we can endure anything.

Three questions:

Check out Hebrews 8:1-2

Picture what it would be like to see Jesus on His throne.

Ask God to forgive those who have persecuted His people.

Prayer:

Give thanks that Jesus is on the throne and that we have a great hope. Ask God to help you endure current and future persecution.  Ask God to save those who persecute His people now.

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