The cabin lights were dim when the airplane began to dip and jerk. I was flying home from visiting my sister, who at the time lived in Hawaii, and I was aware that we were flying over the vast Pacific Ocean. The plane lurched again, sending my stomach to my throat. Seated between two strangers, I grabbed the armrests with a white knuckle grip, closed my eyes, and prayed. I wish I could say that I had profound thoughts, or a hopeful glimpse of eternity. But all I could think was, “I don’t want to die between these two strangers.”
In Acts 7, we witness one of the first displays of murderous violence against Christ’s Church. Stephen had been chosen to care for the growing number of new believers—in particular, the community’s widows—and so powerful was his ministry that a group of Jewish leaders within the community rose up in opposition, fearing their loss of influence. There was no doubt about their intentions. Acts 6:12 says they “seized him,” and brought him to the Sanhedrin. Stephen must have recognized the pattern. It’s what had happened to Jesus before a crowd yelled, “Crucify him!”
What would your last words be? Would you ask the murderous crowd for mercy? Would you defend yourself? Stephen did neither. Instead, he launched into an Old Testament exegesis worthy of the world’s best seminary. Throughout history, he said, Israelites had rejected the leaders and prophets God sent to them. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. Moses was rejected by his Hebrew neighbors. Having just escaped Egypt, the Israelites still resist God in the desert, begging Aaron to build them a calf to worship. Time and time again, God’s people cut off His outstretched arm. “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51).
Stephen wasn’t able to tell the part of the story that we long to hear. He couldn’t explain the grace that Jesus offers to all of us stiff-necked resisters, because the crowd couldn’t stand it anymore. Imagine the rush of terror as they dragged him outside of the city. Coats were thrown down, rocks were picked up. And there went the first stone. Dust flew up, and then, he was crying out. But he didn’t call down judgment. He begged God to forgive.
Stephen was the Church’s first martyr. His life was marked by joy, service, and profound suffering. His last words were not about himself or the injustice of his end. His last thoughts were of his Savior and of the forgiveness available to all through Christ’s mercy.
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93 thoughts on "Stephen Martyred"
Amen!
“His last words were not about himself or the injustice of his end. His last thoughts were of his Savior and of the forgiveness available to all through Christ’s
mercy.”
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Tami, I needed to hear/read this. Thanks
I needed to hear/read this. Thanks
Praying for you all today ♥️
Amen
I didn’t get a chance to commit earlier, but loved the devotional this morning and your comments! I had just heard a story on Focus on the Family yesterday by the guest that her grandpa, a few days before he passed away, was sitting there and got a big glow and smile and raised his hands and was saying how beautiful Jesus was. He stayed that was for several minutes. She said it was amazing to see him so entranced by seeing Jesus and all the beauty waiting for him. My mom right before she died kept pointing at people “behind” me and asking if I saw them. Angels?
Also, if you have Angel Studios and a member there is a series on Steven called Testament. The first 2 episodes were free to watch and were a modern take on the first believers! I was bummed I couldn’t finish it. (same with the David series on Prime. :/)
Hi Rhonda. I watched the whole first season of Testament. It was so good, but basically left off with Stephen being martyred and there is no more lol. It was a bit of a letdown. Hopefully they will make more.
Ah, good to know!
I know that when Stephen saw Jesus he must have said to him, “well done my good and faithful servant.” I want to live to please Jesus . I want that to be the goal of what I do. I have to admit that often o just want to please myself. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit God!
I can only hope that I would have the same reaction that Stephen did when faced with his accusers. To have the peace and calmness and wherewithal to pray for his spirit to be received and for his assailants to be forgiven — only by God’s grace and strength is it possible. What an amazing example of what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
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Lord may I grow in Your grace day by day. Help me to not grieve Your Holy Spirit but to walk in Him always. Give me Your strength when I am weak, and Your wisdom when I need it, and to You be the glory and praise forever and ever, Amen.
Yes! Amen!
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Claire’s opening struck a chord with me. Just over a year ago, at the height of the Jan. 7 winds that propelled the firestorms in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, my daughter Violet and I were flying back into L.A. from visiting family near Seattle. We were supposed to land at Burbank airport, but the winds (and turbulence) were atrocious. (This is near Altadena, and just as that fire was getting going – we saw it from the plane.) We circled the runway, the plane diving and jumping all over the place. I was praying, tears streaming, sure that we were going to crash. I’ve never felt that kind of fear. I didn’t want any guilt for the family we were visiting, if the worst happened, and I didn’t want to leave my husband and other daughter to deal with the grief.
Then, the pilot circled back upward, and announced we were moving on to LAX to land. The winds were much less there – but we flew right over the Palisades fire, and the smell of smoke filled our cabin.
We actually are flying back up to Seattle tomorrow, to visit the same wonderful, Godly aunt and uncle. Please pray that my Violet’s nerves will be OK; she’s already feeling nauseous with anxiety.
Andrew update: he returned home Tuesday evening and seemed OK yesterday, but this morning, he had another headache and threw up. He’s asleep now again. But he needs to take his antiseizure meds. So, they might be heading back to the hospital if he can’t keep them down. His mom is very stressed.
Grateful for this community of Pray-ers!
Continued prayers for Andrew and for his parents, especially his mom. Bless her heart.❤️
Yes, praying for these needs!
Yes continued prayers for Andrew and his family!
Praying Lisa andbthanks for sharing your personal flight experience! ❤
What an incredibly scary experience, thank you for sharing. Have prayed for you, your daughter and also for Andrew and his family
Praying for you and Violet! And continuing prayer for Andrew.
Wow, Claire Gibson, a chill ran through my body when I read the line about your not wanting to die between two strangers! JESUS did just that- for us! Thank You, Jesus!
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I love how Stephen lived out verse 4 of Psalm 78! The reaction of his audience “gnashing their teeth” reminded me of what we read about hell.
Psalm 35:16 (CSB):
With godless mockery
they gnashed their teeth at me.
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Psalm 37:12 (CSB)-
The wicked person schemes against the righteous
and gnashes his teeth at him.
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In explaining the parable of the wheat and weeds in Matthew 13, Jesus said, “41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”
Several more refs in Matthew alone!
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Luke 13:28-
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out.
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I keep forgetting that Moses fled from Egypt in fear even though he felt he was sent there to save his people. But God,(Tina) didn’t let him off the hook! Imagine facing the truth after 40 years of denial. Do we know anyone like that?!
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From NIV APPLICATION BIBLE:
Questions for growth –
What does it mean to resist the Holy Spirit?
How can we avoid this sin?
APPLICATION:
Stephen’s experience of a special anointing with the Spirit’s fullness amid suffering challenges is instructive. Through his example, we must remember that the Spirit’s fullness is also given to prepare us for suffering, which is such an important part of the life of obedience. God is powerfully at work both when the sun shines brightly and when dark clouds loom over us.
We must, therefore, long and ask for the Holy Spirit to fill us when we experience dark times in our lives. Such a teaching is not easy to understand in this sensual, hedonistic world that we live in, which is afraid of suffering and does so much to avoid it. Yet the Bible tells us as believers to anticipate suffering rather than avoid it. If we understand that God stands with us in the darkness, we will eagerly seek the blessings we know God will give us through the darkness.
NIV Application Bible Original Meaning Notes, Application Notes, copyright © 2025.
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I love this from WARREN WIERSBE on Acts 7:53-
“Instead of seeing God’s truth as seed that produces fruit and more seed, the religious leaders embalmed the truth and refused to accept anything new. By the time Jesus came to earth, the truth of God was encrusted with so much tradition that the people could not recognize God’s truth when He did present it. Dead human traditions had replaced God’s living truth (see Matt. 15:1–20).”
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??-How many dead human traditions have we been exposed to??
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On 7:58, Wiersbe says:
“God does not call all believers to be martyrs, but He does call us to be ‘a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God’ (Rom. 12:1, 2). In some respects, living for Christ may be more difficult than dying for Him. If we are living for Him, however, we will be prepared to die for Him if that is what God calls us to do.”
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Amid the stoning Stephen KNELT! He also called out to God for forgiveness for his accusers as Jesus did.
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Once more there is so much in this reading! These are just the tip of the iceberg.
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Mercy- interesting aside: as I read your comment yesterday the thought that came to mind is “God will not be mocked!” and then I came across that verse in Psalms (above) today!
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SONG SHARE:
The Battle Hymn of the Republic:
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord…
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Love, hugs,and prayers!❤❤❤
Wow. I love a comprehensive deep dive. Thank you Cee Gee❤️❤️❤️ I have to be out travelling for work so I can’t comment but yours is awesome.
Thank you, Mercy; I will miss seeing yours! ❤️
I appreciate this deep dive so much. I’m running behind today due to an early appointment today. This is so helpful. Thank you.
Most welcome, Faith! ❤️
Stephen didn’t sign up to be the Church’s first martyr. I am using my godly imagination here. He just wanted to be the serve team for the widows.
That said serving Christ doesn’t always look like we envision. I can’t help but think about how Christ like Stephen was in his final hours and his final words. So similar to the words of Christ; Lord, Jesus, receive my spirit! He knelt down and cried with a loud voice,” Lord, do not hold this sin against them!’ And after saying this, he fell asleep.”
Jesus’s final words:” Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34) and “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands! And with those words he breathed his last.”
The key factor as many of the Shes pointed out is the Holy Spirit. Stephen is full of the Holy Spirit. That is how he could die praying for his enemies.
“We must me willing to see past our painful circumstances and ask God to forgive and heal our enemies.” quote is from the Courage for Life Bible.
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The Study Book has a nice two page synopsis of key people in Acts.
Have a blessed day!❤️
I think that in the many times over the years that I have read the account of Stephen, I have overlooked the role of Holy Spirit. Yes, he was courageous, well spoken, wise but its easy to just focus on what an amazing guy he was and not recognize who lead and equipped him – tgat Holy Spirit was at work. In Acts 6:5 “…they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit….” All of his words and actions were lead by Holy Spirit working through him. Yes, Stephen was a man of character and faith but he was also willing and submitted to being filled with the Spirit. He did not act on his own accord and he was empowered to speak boldly one of the longest discourses recorded in scripture. And then with great grace and humility, call out not words of defense or pleading, but of prayer and forgiveness. My initial thought on all of this, is how could I possibly recount such details of a life lived long ago and that I would probably be begging and pleading to be saved from pain and torture. My human thinkng is so small and how easily I limit what God can do and how truly powerful the work of Holy Spirit is.
Lord, open my eyes to truly see the mighty work you can do and may your Spirit fill me and be at work in my life. Mold my heart to be submissive, willing, obedient, faithful and devoted to you no matter what. Amen
I meant to add this verse which came to mind:
“So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zech 4:6
Amen and amen, Wendy! Your comment was the newest in the feed when I came here to comment. I had to fight the urge to read yours first! ☺ (I like to get my thoughts down before reading other comments so I don’t forget things!)
Amen Wendy! The Zeal of the Spirit devotion in my SRT bible says this same thing. She says she always walked away from Acts 7 in awe of Stephen. It goes on to say Stephen isn’t the hero of this story. The Holy Spirit is. She ends with, The Holy Spirit stood before the Sanhedrin that day. The Holy Spirit spoke words of truth. And, as the accusations and stones flew, the Holy Spirit ministered peace to our brother, Stephen. May we never try to explain that Spirit away.
So good and goes right along with what you shared. I also always walked away reading Acts 7 like wow I wish I could be more like Stephen. SO encouraged and reminded of the power and presence of Holy Spirit in each of us.
Amen!
This is all so good!
Yes and Amen! We need to constantly be reminded of the Holy Spirit’s power and that He lives within us!
Amen!
What would my last words be? Wow! I haven’t really thought of that. Something to really ponder this morning. ONE thing that comes to mind is, “please tell my children I love them very much, and “I will” see you later.” I have more to say but out of time. Love you all so much!
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Another great biblical example of BOLD faith!
YES!! Love it! WITH the Holy Spirit we can be Fire!!
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Holy Spirit fill me! In Jesus name, Amen
Stephen was just a guy helping out the apostles, taking care of the widows. But God used Him in an extraordinary way. He lived surrendered to the Lord and He gave him strength when faced with a scary situation to stand firm!!
This is a great reminder for us to pray for our fellow believers throughout our world who are persecuted for their faith!
Praying for all!
GM ladies. I’m going to post a sermon I heard yesterday on our FB page (“This is the Time” by Jonathan Josephs of Elevation) as I think it relates to what we have been discussing here. I was convicted by it in a few ways. I have been feeling distant from God, my church attendance has been spotty, and have many excuses as to why I can’t get out to a weekly Bible study. (Too tired, it’s cold and dark, etc…) After all of our discussions about obedience and then this sermon, the Lord prompted me yesterday – “You can have a sit down with yourself about getting your butt off the couch to go to the gym, what about doing the same for a Bible study”. Ouch! He reminded me that there will always be excuses, but that I needed to I set my priorities straight. I had to ask myself “what do I do for God that is uncomfortable or sacrificial?” Being obedient to going to a Bible study at night when I am tired and it is cold and dark is a sacrifice , but one that I can gladly do for God with a a shift in perspective. Here are some of the takeaways from the sermon I mentioned:
Delayed obedience is still disobedience
If Satan can’t get you to disobey, he’ll get you to delay
What isn’t a priority will always be procrastinated
Matthew 6:33 Seek first the Kingdom of God and all will be added
Have a blessed day!
Thank you Tami! Your words resonate well with me.
Mine will also start next Monday night. Also very dark and cold here. Dark around 4:30pm but very warm and bright inside the church. I look forward to hanging out with godly women, and I have hot coffee to go :)
Coffee and fellowship are so nice together!
Thank you for sharing Tami! ❤️
I wanted to take some time to share some points in the devotional for the She Reads Truth Bible that I thought were important for today. Stephen is amazing! He has such great faith, courage, and knowledge of the scripture! But… “Stephen isn’t the hero of this story. The Holy Spirit is. The Holy Spirit gave Stephen his edge (Acts 6: 8-10). The Holy Spirit gave Stephen the words to say (Mark 13:11). Stephen’s message was all about the Holy Spirit (vs. 51 was the clincher). The Spirit enabled Stephen to forgive his enemies (Vs. 55). It is appropriate to acknowledge the steadfastness and courage of our beloved martyr, Stephen. But let us never forget the God who dwelled and empowered Him”.
I skipped over lines for each of those points, but if you have a SRT Bible, it’s worth a read!
Yes! Good point to remember. We can do all things through HIM…not on our own. Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit and chose to obey–to his death.
We had similar thoughts. :)
I went back and read the devotion like you said that went along with these passages. Thank you for reminding me to read the devotions that go along with the scriptures we are reading.
Thank you for sharing those notes Sarah. It is good to be reminded that our strength and boldness comes from God, not from ourselves.
Thanks for pointing out that Devotional – It was a good read
Stephen’s final words have been highlighted in my Bible for a long time. If I were placed in the same situation, would I ask God to forgive these people who were actively wronging me? Probably not! I’m grateful for the example Stephen gave & pray to grow bold in my faith like him.
Me neither!
I pray that kind of strength and faith too.❤️
God’s plans are so detailed. Because of Stephen’s deep belief, faith, and obedience, Stephen’s death scattered believers to Judea and Samaria to spread the gospel just as Jesus commissioned. Saul was witnessing Stephen’s death which sent him on a rampage. All the while God is in control.
Paul is specifically mentioned as having a change of heart, I wonder how many others that were there also later reflected over Steven’s words and also had a conversion story. Watching someone die for their faith makes you question what it is they believe in.
I think about how they threw their cloaks down at the feet of Saul. Then he proceeds to hunt Christians down. Eventually this man is named Paul and helps spread the gospel. It gives me hope for all of those whom I pray for but then in the back of my mind still hold the thought ‘they’re never going to change. They’re too far gone’. Lord, help my unbelief.
Yes! I stopped and sat with this verse for a little bit… Saul became Paul. From a terror to Christians to the one so many early churches learned from.it reminded me that no one is beyond God’s plan!
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BUT GOD, Libby, BUT GOD.❤️
Libby I get what you’re feeling – totally! Just yesterday I was talking with a dear friend and saying how sometimes it seems like my (adult) sons are to far from God to ever return. But then I am reminded of Paul – the murderer and how God changed him. Now I pray for a “Damascus Road Miracle” for my sons. I pray and I wait – expectantly. This is my hope.
Verse 57 catches my attention when it says they “stopped their ears.” Dang, I almost picture a toddler putting his hands over his ears yelling “lalalalalalalala”. How sad. It’s wild to me how Stephen’s last words, committing his spirit and also forgiving his murderers is just like Jesus. I wonder if he was at the foot of the cross. I also wonder if he felt the pain as he gazed at Jesus at the right hand of the father. So much to learn and wonder about this story.
That’s a great way to describe that action and pretty much how I picture it. ☺ ❤
Those fingers cant cover the ears forever..
BUT GOD..❤️
Song: We Are Standing On Holy Ground, Geron Davis, 1983
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Getting a bit, maybe a lot, off track:
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Acts 7:39-40
39 … And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’
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The children of Israel knew exactly where Moses was, they had just affirmed the covenant with the Lord!!
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Reading these familiar recounts in Stephen’s message, my thoughts went to the same question as always regarding the behavior of the children of Israel … what was wrong with these people???
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Same thing that’s wrong with us today – impatience, shortsightedness, lack of faith, lack of trust … Lord, please, may our faith and trust in You strengthen, our eyes be opened and focused on the things of You, our patience last through Your working of Your perfect plan.
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Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Psalm 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth.
Psalm 37:34 Wait on the Lord, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
Isaiah 8:17 And I will wait on the Lord, Who hides His face from the house of Jacob; And I will hope in Him.
Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
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When my mind is circling with thoughts of how much longer, questions of what can I do to ‘help’ You Lord move this along, when I’m wondering whether You heard my prayers and understood the urgency – help me Lord remember that in my waiting You are always working.
Keep praying, sisters, God has a perfect plan that we aren’t necessarily privy to except maybe in hindsight. PUSH – Pray Until Something Happens and FROG – Fully Rely On God.
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ADRIENNE – praying for Paul’s surgery today and for safe travels
WENDY B ❤️
MARI V “even during the hard times” ❤️
SHARON JERSEY GIRL ❤️
CEE GEE ❤️ “it’s about God’s glory and plan” – always!
TAMI ❤️ thank you for your testimony
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Thank you to those joining me in prayer yesterday for the healing of mental health challenges, especially in the youth. So many are struggling daily, every day, reaching points of crisis. Praying they feel God’s love, see a ray of hope, are willing and empowered to take a step forward toward healing. Lord, I pray this for Today.
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Praying
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Great share, Searching, and yes, prayers these struggling young people and those mentioned. ❤❤❤
Searching – so good! And i could use a lot more patience!
PUSH & FROG ❤️
joining you, though late in prsying for mental health challenges.. hugs friend.❤️
PUSH and FROG – love that, never heard of this before!
The members of the Sanhedrin and the high priest lost their minds in rage. What I have often wondered was why were they able to kill Stephen, but had to go to Pilate for Jesus to be executed (John 18:31)?
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Thankful for the example of courage Stephen gives us and how God sustained him with a vision of Jesus. God does the same today for His persecuted church.
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Thank you for your prayers for my mom. She was able to get through to someone at the insurance company who straightened out what was happening.
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ADRIENNE – praying all goes well with Paul’s eye surgery today and you have safe travels.
Praise the Lord for your mom’s success yesterday! ❤️
I think the difference is in that Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah Stephen was just talking about the fact that Jesus was
That’s a good question- going to Pilate vs killing Stephen themselves! My guess would be that the priests were trying to call Jesus a criminal in the most serious form. Stephen they weren’t trying to convict of a crime punishable by crucifixion.
I’m glad your mom is doing better! Have a blessed Wednesday :)
Kelly, crucifixion was a Roman punishment which had to be carried out by the Romans. The Jews wanted Jesus to be crucified, and he needed to be crucified to fulfill prophecies and to become a curse for us. “Cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree.” Galatians 3:13.
An answer to prayer❤️
❤️ praise God, continued prayers for her peace
Glad to hear about your mom.
So glad Kelly, mom was able to speak to someone who please God put her mind at rest.. God is good..❤️
So glad it worked out for your mom, and in a timely manner – PTL!
Amen❤️
Stephen’s dissertation is truly a powerful recount of Israel’s history. And yet it incites a group of religious leaders into an angry ‘mob’ that lets unrestrained anger lead to murder. What a tragic statement is “time and time again, God’s people cut off His outstretched arm”?!?
Dear Father, help us be slow to anger and quick to respond when the Holy Spirit is guiding, convicting or asking us to do hard things! May our first and last words be about the magnificent forgiveness available through our Savior, Jesus Christ! Amen.
amen
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Amen.❤️
Amen!