Acts 7:1 Stephen's Speech: Are These Things So?
A beautiful soliloquy comes out of the mouth of Stephen. I should say, it pours out of his heart! God has been talking to Stephen since the day he was born and Stephen knows it! Here is a man who embraces what he has been taught. What a beautiful grasp of the Old Testament. God's Words were found by Stephen and he ate them. An Astonishing Summary of the Presence of God in the Old Testament and now here in Stephen's overflowing heart. Can we give an answer for what has happened to us? Do you see how God has been talking to you since the day you were born? If you say He hasn't, have you ever felt shame? Where did that come from? Do we really listen to our hearts and engage in this present moment? Are these things so in your life?
Stephen pours out what God has done for Israel and the world as well as what God has done for him personally. I can't help but think the Holy Spirit ministered to many people that day which led to many being saved.
ReplyDeleteAnnette H
I keep thinking of yesterday's words, When they gazed on him, they saw the face of an angel..."
ReplyDeleteImagine, hearing Truth speak with such love, Stephen's supernatural understanding (thank you, Holy Spirit) of the Old Testament, and God's loving Plan as they awaited "The Promise" Stop right here in the middle of Stephen's speech and see Stephen's angelic face as the Holy Spirit rested on him.
They saw Life right in front of them, just as we do today as we read these words. What would we do with Stephen if we were there that day? What will we do with Truth in these words today?
God is so consistently faithful and true.
@ Annette G, this a.m. as I pondered yesterday and today's readings, I thought Stephen is another person of faith in Scripture who not only knew about God, he KNEW God intimately. The love of God was apparent in Stephen's heart and was visible to all by his outward appearance.
ReplyDeleteAnnette H
I just spent the whole day at the ER in Tacoma. We're visiting Bob's dad who is getting over the flu and he was dehydrated/disoriented. My f-i-l is spending night in hospital---the remarkable guy is 95. We're also here for the ITU Pan American Cup---Barrett is competing on Saturday, Olympic distance. Appreciate your prayers. It was the strangest 8 hours in ER. One very young homeless guy who was hurt looked me straight in the eye and said: Jesus is not enough. The homeless guy next to him told him to pray. So the young one starts praying in Hebrew the Shema. The older homeless guy says: That was The Shema, do you know any other prayers? I'm so startled that they both knew Hebrew. Both homeless guys are fixed on me, staring me straight in the eyes. Maybe I'm startled cause they are talking straight to me who is staring straight back at them. The ER nurse called both of their names. Gone. Strange. I can't explain this one.
ReplyDeleteAngels and those in need of some? Wow, Bev. Praying...
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