THE DEATH OF STEPHEN WAS NOT IN VAIN
Greetings in the name of Jesus:
There are many people today who think that they had no great chance to make a great difference in the Kingdom of Heaven through their life. We may feel much like a Stephen when it comes to contribution to our local body in Christ. Stephen was the first martyr of the church recorded in the book of Acts, and many feel that although he was bold and right in the eyes of God he really wasn't able to get much done, but I want for you to know that Stephen had a great effect on several people who ended up making a great difference in the church and in Christianity as a driving force in this world.
All of this was within God's plan for the church through the inspiration and the lasting impression on those God had chosen to be players in their part of God plan of Salvation. Stephan had a great impression on Philip who started his evangelistic tour in
Acts 8:4-40. The then young man who held the coats of those who stoned Stephen was also effected by that experience, and who later on the road to Damascus who would come face to face with the risen Christ Acts 9:1-30. Stephens influence would not stop there for he also was an influence in the missionary tour of Peter Acts 9:32-11:18. The church of Antioch in Syria was founded from the strength that Stephen had shown Acts 11:19.
If you are today feeling as though your life has little influence just remember that God's plan has a tremendously deep influence on those around us. In our Church we had a brother named Chuck who had just begun to catch fire for God in his life with a great influence on those around him, but who's life was cut short suddenly. His influence is still being felt in our church after several years gone...he is still an influence on my life today.
There are all kinds of people who have influenced my life to live for Christ who never knew what they had done. As I think I can see many nameless faces that have influenced me if only for a short moment to stay away from sin, or who may have even convicted me of sin at the time; but who non the less have lead me to the power of God's Spirit. I have had many mentors and many people who have prayed for me over the years...some only for a moment of time and others through a tremendous cost to them of showing God's love and forgiveness. We are each one called to build people and to build the church through these gifts of love and forgiveness that have been given to us because it becomes the very center of the life we have been given in our souls. I still pray for each one of you everyday in my heart that you will come to understand this love and forgiveness from Christ and allow it to be used within your life too. Your witness is not in vain any more than was Stephen's. May you richly bless God through your life in Him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
There are many people today who think that they had no great chance to make a great difference in the Kingdom of Heaven through their life. We may feel much like a Stephen when it comes to contribution to our local body in Christ. Stephen was the first martyr of the church recorded in the book of Acts, and many feel that although he was bold and right in the eyes of God he really wasn't able to get much done, but I want for you to know that Stephen had a great effect on several people who ended up making a great difference in the church and in Christianity as a driving force in this world.
All of this was within God's plan for the church through the inspiration and the lasting impression on those God had chosen to be players in their part of God plan of Salvation. Stephan had a great impression on Philip who started his evangelistic tour in
Acts 8:4-40. The then young man who held the coats of those who stoned Stephen was also effected by that experience, and who later on the road to Damascus who would come face to face with the risen Christ Acts 9:1-30. Stephens influence would not stop there for he also was an influence in the missionary tour of Peter Acts 9:32-11:18. The church of Antioch in Syria was founded from the strength that Stephen had shown Acts 11:19.
If you are today feeling as though your life has little influence just remember that God's plan has a tremendously deep influence on those around us. In our Church we had a brother named Chuck who had just begun to catch fire for God in his life with a great influence on those around him, but who's life was cut short suddenly. His influence is still being felt in our church after several years gone...he is still an influence on my life today.
There are all kinds of people who have influenced my life to live for Christ who never knew what they had done. As I think I can see many nameless faces that have influenced me if only for a short moment to stay away from sin, or who may have even convicted me of sin at the time; but who non the less have lead me to the power of God's Spirit. I have had many mentors and many people who have prayed for me over the years...some only for a moment of time and others through a tremendous cost to them of showing God's love and forgiveness. We are each one called to build people and to build the church through these gifts of love and forgiveness that have been given to us because it becomes the very center of the life we have been given in our souls. I still pray for each one of you everyday in my heart that you will come to understand this love and forgiveness from Christ and allow it to be used within your life too. Your witness is not in vain any more than was Stephen's. May you richly bless God through your life in Him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
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