Monday, June 25, 2012
I Kings 8:26 and Acts 8:1 "This Present Hour" (June 25)
Saul approves of the execution of Stephen. Acts 8:1. He didn't stop it. Is there any hope for this young ambitious murderer? Would we pray for him to repent? Would we view him as I Kings 8:58 ~ Not one word of God has failed. Not one. I may not see it. His truth prevails. Pay close attention to the way you take. I Kings 8:26 ~ "Pay close attention to your way, to walk before me as those before you have walked before me." So very grateful to God for our children and spiritual children who make decisions every single fresh new day to walk before God with a clean slate. Just as the sun comes up this morning brank spanking new, may your perspective be pristine full of prayer. Satan will tempt us to live in the past or in the future. Live fully this present hour believing in those avengers whom God has brought across your path.
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I love those verses in Kings, Bev. One to claim over our iives--to pay close attention to how we walk in the way. And the consistency that God provides for us to trust Him in 1 Kings 8:58-not one word of God has failed.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those readings in Acts that leaves me asking more questions. Do we want the gifts of God more than we want the God of God? Simon the magician liked the magical part (and the power he could gain) more. Repent, Simon. But he asks Peter to pray that "those things" don't happen to him. Hmmm. Still seems a little more concerned with self than receiving a circumcised servant heart.
Why did Peter say "if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you?" The story tells us Simon was baptized and a believer. Was Simon really saved or seeking to know the secrets and "tricks" he saw? Did Peter see and question his belief? For we know that God forgives us when we come to him with true repentance. (1 John 1:9) Clearly either way, only God's mercy and grace stands between man and hell.
Saul torments God's people believing he's doing it for God. He's a Pharisee, law abiding, the strict and respected one...How completely a plan not of God can make a zealot a terrorist!
I am amazed, astounded, in awe that I feel that I am reading this for the first time---like those verses in Kings. And about Simon...so much about ambition in the NT that I have not seen before.
ReplyDeleteOh my, how your words Bev, "Satan will tempt us to live in the past or the future." spoke to me on this day. For some reason this year, the anniversary of our son's death (26yrs ago), is particularly hard in that bitterness, anger and resentment flared up. It took your words to remind me exactly where they were coming from. It is exactly the enemies MO, I have been so immersed in the Word and the Lord's presence, that he had to try something to shift my focus. Every once in awhile that loss can be as fresh as it was then, but I also rejoice that I will see my son in eternity!
ReplyDeleteGod is so good. He hears our prayers
Annette, holding Angela's family up in prayer.
Nise' ~ About 26 years ago, I read The Screwtape Letters and that was one thought that I walked with from reading that book. I am missing living in the present if I live in the past ponderings of what could have been different but also if I live in my future demands that things have to get better. What holds more significance than living out this day and being present for others, fully alive? Oh Nise', I am so sorry for your loss that you have held this day close in your heart for 26 years. And here, God brings that thought to my memory from many years gone by. How good of Him. I am so sorry. I cannot imagine what you feel in that loss. But I can see a heart that lives out 24/7 a longing to live for the God you adore. Thank you so much for sharing with us. Praying for you on this day, June 25th. My love, Bev
ReplyDeleteWatching my cousin and his wife in all their pain over losing Angela, I can't imagine that kind of loss, the ache in your heart, 'Nise. I am so sorry, my friend. Grief can take us by surprise when it hurts just as bad sometimes years later.
ReplyDelete'Nise, I won't hit send until I lift you up this night for peace, for surrender, for asking Him to redeem today those years of loss in fullness to you. May He carefully comfort you on this anniversary. Bless you.