WEDNESDAY March 22, 2023

Getting Worse Before Getting Better

As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

Acts 8:3

Saul made havoc of the Church by zealously, persecuting Christians. Things were getting worse by the minute! Before life could get better, Saul needed to be broken. He needed to come to know Christ.

Despite Saul’s railing actions, I believe as Stephen was stoned to death, hearing him say that he saw the heavens open and Jesus standing at the right-hand of the father, made an incredible impression on Saul’s life. I do not think he was ever the same––so much so that Stephen’s death stayed in his mind. Saul must have begun to feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit. God was at work. He had begun to deal with his life.

In reflection, before I came to Christ, the Holy Spirit began to convict me of my sin. Beforehand, I did not feel bad for any of the sinful things I was doing. People were praying for me! God was dealing with my life, and I began to feel guilt. When I accepted Christ, I forsook my sinful ways. I stayed away from worldly friends. I prayed for them, until God saved them.

God deals with so many people’s lives. In His love, grace and mercy; He is the One who brings them to a place of conviction and saves them. As Christians, it is our duty to continue to pray for those who are spiritually lost. We can help them by being a true witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Non-believers should see Christ in our lives. They see something different––hope, joy, peace and love. I have never tried to force people to accept Christ. Salvation is the direct work of the Holy Spirit. I find, when I live my Christian life through the power of the Holy Spirit, and, as I demonstrate the message of the Cross through my actions, my Christian witness impacts them. My life is a living testimony for them to see.

It is important to know that we cannot convict or bring anyone to Christ. It is the Holy Spirit––it is not us.

To expose our hearts to truth and consistently refuse or neglect to obey the impulses it arouses is to stymie the motions of life within us. And if persisted in to grieve the Holy Spirit into silence.
~A.W. Tozer~

TUESDAY March 21, 2023

A Man with a Mission

As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

Acts 8:3

In Acts 8, there are four important people who we shall study about: Saul of Tarsus, Phillip the Evangelist, Simon the Sorcerer, and the Ethiopian Eunuch, the treasurer to the Queen of Ethiopia. Philip was tremendously used by God to share the Gospel with the Ethiopian man.

Who was Saul of Tarsus? He was a Jew––a Pharisee. He was well-educated as he had studied under Gamaliel a highly esteemed Pharisee, and an expert teacher of Jewish Law. At this time, persuading himself that he was doing the right thing, Saul was a man with a mission, he set out to persecute, imprison and kill Christians! Actually, though he did not realize it, he was literally persecuting Jesus Christ. After his true conversion, Saul became Paul the Apostle––an incredible man of God among the many men who ever lived in Church history. He had a miraculous conversion.

When someone is converted to Christianity, there is a marked change in their lives––a transformation takes place. Then over weeks, months and years, they grow and mature in Christ. I highly recommend that if you want to grow as a Christian, find a church that teaches the Word of God.

When God touches your life there is a transformation. You are no longer a fornicator, adulterer or a liar. Christians do trip and fall, but they are not to continue in the same lifestyle that they were in prior to becoming a Christian––no possible way. The book of Romans, which Paul the Apostle wrote, clearly defines the transformation that takes place in the life of a Christian. We must not take advantage of God’s grace (Romans 6:1-2).

When some people accept Jesus, they never seem to grow in Christ. Some are not true conversions. There are people who are just like Simon the sorcerer, (not that they are sorcerers), they see the power of God, and acknowledge Christ, but they are never truly born again of God’s Spirit. They have a head knowledge of Christ, but no life transformation––change. Without genuine regeneration something is deathly wrong.

Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion––it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.
~Billy Graham~

MONDAY March 20, 2023

The Persecutor

Now Saul was consenting to his [Stephen’s] death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

Acts 8:1-2

Stephen had just been ruthlessly killed––martyred. In Acts 7:58, those guilty of stoning him first laid their garments at the feet of a certain young man––Saul. Acts 8:1 reveals that Saul consented to his death. This chapter begins an introduction into the person and life of Saul––the man who would become known as Paul the Apostle. Acts 9 will give us a full account of his conversion, and many other books of the Bible record his life and his ministry.

Saul, as persecutor was one among many who zealously hounded Christians. God allowed persecution to happen so that the Church would expand. Christians would be scattered and take the Gospel with them to Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world.

When I look at my own personal life, I know I persecuted my wife and even her Christian family. I hated their love, gentleness and kindness. They were always smiling! I could not stand Christians until the day God got ahold of my own life. In anger, I decided I would shoot my wife and kids, and then end my own life. In my home, Chuck Smith was sharing about God’s love, grace and mercy on our television. His words pierced my heart. All of a sudden, broken, I found myself on my knees asking God to forgive me.

Are you the Persecutor? Do you need God to forgive you for openly, mocking, oppressing or persecuting Christians? He can change and transform your life.

God’s forgiveness extends to the worst offenders and to anyone who wishes to receive it––not because of who we are, but because of who He is.
~Charles Swindoll~

SUNDAY March, 19, 2023

Forgiveness for Murderers

And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 7:59-60

The religious elites fueled by zealous indignation continued to stone Stephen. As he was dying, he called out to God. Now Stephen did not ask the Lord to judge any of his murderers, no, he asked God to forgive them instead. His words mirrored Jesus’ words before He died on the Cross for our sins. While suffering such physical agony, Jesus said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).

The Holy Spirit gave Stephen the grace he needed to give his life for Christ. What a beautiful picture of a martyrdom. Stephen, knew he was dying, but he gave such a powerful response of God’s love and mercy. He expressed meekness and humility in response to hatred. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit to become a martyr. Stephen died and went right into the presence of the Lord.

Knowing His disciples would face persecution, do you remember how Jesus prepared them? He told them:

“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” (Luke 12:10-12).

Know this: if God calls you to become a martyr for His name’s sake; He will give you the exact words you need to say. By His grace, you will not be filled with anger or begin to curse at your oppressors; you will become a bold witness of the love, grace and mercy of God.

You never so touch the ocean of God’s love as when you
forgive and love your enemies.
~Corrie ten Boom~

SATURDAY March 18, 2023

A Witness to Martyrdom

Then they [the Jewish elders] cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him [Stephen] with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Acts 7:57-58

Furious men, all who made up the Sanhedrin, had heard enough, and together they rushed Stephen. They could no longer contain their violent emotions one minute more. They came at him in anger and hate. Stephen had given them truth and they had rejected it. In doing so they not only rejected Stephen’s witness, but they had rejected Christ––sad.

These murderers grabbed hold of Stephen, threw him outside the city of Jerusalem to stone him. Do you know who witnessed Stephen’s martyrdom? It was none other than Paul the Apostle. At this time, his name was Saul. It is believed that on this occasion, Saul was so impacted by Stephen’s martyrdom. God would use Stephen’s death to help bring Saul to Christ.

Perhaps you remember what Stephens name means. The name Stephen means “crown.” In heaven, Stephen was sure to receive a reward––the martyr’s crown:

James 1:12: Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Revelation 2:10: “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Be encouraged, whatever opposition, persecution, threat, temptation or death for Christ’s name, know that God will use all for His glory, and for the spreading of the Gospel. In the end, in eternity, there is a crown awaiting you.

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.
~Tertullian~

FRIDAY March 17, 2023

St. Patrick’s Day

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit….”

Matthew 28:19

Today is St. Patrick’s Day. Patrick was born into a Christian family, but he had no real interest in the church. “He did not, indeed, know the true God.” As a boy, he was captured by slave traders and taken to Ireland. The people in Ireland were in deep spiritual darkness. The island was filled with magicians and pagan practices. Patrick believed God was chastening him for his unbelief, and he would pray night and day for forgiveness. Through his trials and sufferings, Patrick endured in Ireland, and came to know Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.

Finally, after six years, Patrick was able to escape Ireland by a ship that carried him back to his homeland––England. Upon arrival, Patrick began to study for the ministry. In a vision, God called Patrick to return to Ireland, and to preach the Gospel to the very people who had enslaved him. As Patrick traveled across the Irish countryside, he brought the Gospel of peace to the hostile, pagan Celts. It is believed, Patrick used the shamrock plant to explain the Trinity. While ministering among them, Patrick wrote a poem of faith and trust in God, which he named the “Breast Plate:”

"Christ be within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ inquired, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger."

Patrick brought the Light of Christ into the spiritual darkness of Ireland. He set a good foundation for Christianity to expand. In obedience to God’s call to go to Ireland, Patrick was able to plant 300 churches. His ministry lasted 29 years. It has been said that 120,000 Irishmen were saved and baptized into the Christian faith. As Patrick faithfully preached the Gospel, a fire of revival was lit among the people in Ireland.

Any man touched by Jesus Christ is good publicity for the gospel.
~Vance Havner~

THURSDAY March 16, 2023

Martyrdom

When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

Acts 7:54-56

After Stephen spoke so boldly, the religious leaders were pricked to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth! Stephen had rightly described what was in their hearts. Just like their fathers before them, they were guilty of being betrayers and murderers:

“Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers...” (Acts 7:52).

It is recorded that Stephen, who was full of the Holy Spirit, saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Wait a minute, in Scripture, Jesus is described as sitting. When Jesus ascended up into heaven, He sat at the right hand of God: So then, after the Lord had spoken to them [His disciples], He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God... (Mark 16:19). Why was Jesus standing at this particular time?

Stephen had declared; “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Jesus stood for Stephen because he was about to become the first Martyr of the Early Church.

Again, Stephen saw the Son of Man standing, the One the men who were a part of the Sanhedrin hated! They did not want to hear about Jesus standing at the right hand of God! Instead of being in awe of God and repenting, they rushed toward Stephen––to murder him. They continued in their sin––to be known as murderers.

Not all of us are called to die a martyr’s death, but all of us are called to have the same spirit of self-sacrifice and love to the
very end as these martyrs had.
~Richard Wurmbrand~

WEDNESDAY March 15, 2023

A Forceful Rebuke

“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”

Acts 7:51-53

Stephen suddenly stopped his historical discourse and boldly addressed the elders in the Sanhedrin who were interrogating him, “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears!” The word stiff-necked means “stubborn, headstrong, obstinate.” Stephen continued, “You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.” The word resist means, “to be adverse, oppose, strive against.”

I like the heart of Stephen!” He strongly rebuked them! He really let them have it! Stephen did not hold back because in reality, he already knew that he was a dead man. He had called them betrayers and murderers to their face! He let them know how they were privileged to receive the Law of God, and to teach it, but they never obeyed it. Can you imagine his words stabbing right into their hearts and conscious’?

Think about it. What a sad thing it is for a person to continually resist the Holy Spirit. They hear the message of the Gospel, but they put off accepting Jesus Christ by saying, “Perhaps another time.” But with each rejection they are resisting the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Then there is a real danger of their hearts becoming hard and callous.

So when you sense a still, small voice in your soul–– and you have or you will––it is the Holy Spirit of God telling you that you’re not right with Him. Do not ignore the Voice. God is drawing you by His love––don’t pull away. When you quench the fire of conviction, you have rejected the Holy Spirit. So when you feel that tug, do not resist. Take hold of the living Christ, who will come and dwell in you.
~Billy Graham~

TUESDAY March 14, 2023

Maker of Heaven and Earth

“However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these things?’

Acts 7:48-50

This statement in Scripture gives to us the grand view of God. His greatness as the Creator of all things. He does not dwell in Temples made with human hands. God dwells in heaven, and earth is a mere footstool. Consider these Scriptures that describe our magnificent God:

1 Chronicles 29:11: “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all.”

Psalm 27:4: One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.

Psalm 95:3-6: For the LORD is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

Psalm 145:3, 5: Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable . . . I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works.

In spending a few moments meditating on your great God, what has reading these verses caused you to do? Perhaps it has caused you to spontaneously worship and praise Him. He is worthy of our praise! Enjoy being in His presence at home and in church, as you worship Him.

Worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness, the nourishment of the mind with His truth, the purifying of the imagination of His beauty, the opening of the heart to His love, the surrender of the will to His purpose.
~William Temple~

MONDAY March 13, 2023

A Dwelling Place

“Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built Him a house.”

Acts 7:44-47

Stephen referred to the time when the children of Israel had a meeting place––a tabernacle. This was a movable tent made to the exact instructions God gave to Moses. There were curtains, coverings, and all manner of workmanship in precious metals, jewels and wood carving (Exodus 26; Exodus 31:1-11).

God’s presence came upon the Tabernacle and Moses spoke with Him (Numbers 7:89). The Tabernacle had a court and an altar for burnt offering. When the children of Israel journeyed in the wilderness, and in the Promised Land, it was movable. The Tabernacle and priesthood was only a shadow of things to come––a picture of heaven where God dwells (Hebrews 8:1-6).

In his life-time, David wanted to build a magnificent, permanent Temple for God. During his years of warfare he had accumulated many riches for the project (1 Chronicles 29:1-5), but it would be Solomon, his son who would build God a Temple. There was a reason for this:

David said to Solomon: “My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house to the name of the LORD my God; but the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name...’ ”

(1 Chronicles 22:6-8).

This magnificent Temple built in Jerusalem superseded the tabernacle in the wilderness as the dwelling-place of God. Interestingly, for those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior, Christ dwells within our hearts. We become the dwelling place of God.

He [God] who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
~Romans 8:11~

SUNDAY March, 12, 2023

The Idiocy of Idolatry

“And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets: ‘Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, Images which you made to worship; and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’ ”

Acts 7:41-43

Stephen, in his sermon, kept pressing the point of Israel’s’ continual rebelliousness and rejection of Moses, because ultimately they rejected Jesus Christ the Messiah. See how stiff-necked they were from the past, to the present and even into the future.

When Moses went up to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments written with the very finger of God (Exodus 31:18), he had been gone for a long time. As he returned with the stone tablets in his hands, in rebellion, the people made a golden calf to worship. They had become so idolatrous. Moses cast the tablets down and broke them (Exodus 32:19).

Moses shouted, “Whoever is on the LORD’s side—come to me!” (Exodus 32:26). Three thousand among the people perished because they remained in rebellion (Exodus 32:28). Still Moses pleaded for the people, but the Lord plagued them for their idolatrous behavior.

What had God known about His people? In Exodus 32:9, He said to Moses: “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people!”

In judgment God could have destroyed them all, if it was not for Moses’ intercession. In Israel’s history, they were unfaithful to worship the living God. Other idols, Moloch and Remphan were worshiped. In judgment, Israel was led into captivity. They suffered greatly because of their idolatry.

Idolatry is an idiocy because idols cannot answer prayer. They are dumb, deaf and blind. They are not living. Yet idolatry remains in many of today’s societies. People from India, Asia and other countries still worship idols.

You don’t have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods. America is full of them. Whatever you love more than God is your idol.
~D.L. Moody~

SATURDAY March 11, 2023

Really, Back to Bondage?

“This is he [Moses] who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us, whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, 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.’ ”

Acts 7:38-40

After a mighty deliverance, God’s people walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. The people rejoiced. Although God provided for His people in the wilderness, it did not take long before they began to murmur and complain. They rejected Moses as their leader. In fact, the children of Israel wanted to go back to Egypt! They thought they had it so good there:

Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!” (Numbers 11:4-6).

Really, back to bondage? No doubt the Israelites were greatly influenced by the mixed multitude who left Egypt with them. What about all the hardships they suffered in Egypt? They had been slaves, now they were free! Did they forget their cruel taskmaster who made them labor to build Egyptian cites?

Some Christians are like the children of Israel. They are influenced by their worldly friends who want them to return back to the world with them. What has the world ever done for you? Remember when you were in the world? You were destroying your life! Satan had you in bondage, refusing to let you go! God delivered you from your sin. He is doing a work in your life, molding and shaping you for what He wants to do in the future.

The Christian journey may not be easy, but God is with you, making sure you have everything you need. Why not persevere?
God never said that their journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.
~Max Lucado~

FRIDAY March 10, 2023

God’s Prophet

“This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.’ ”

Acts 7:37

Stephen brought up a very interesting point in his sermon to the council. Moses spoke of a Prophet. Who was Moses speaking about? He was pointing to the future when Jesus Christ the Messiah would come. He would be Jewish: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear...” (Deuteronomy 18:15).

Jesus’ lineage came from the tribe of Judah. Consider this prophetic Scripture that references Jesus’ connection with the tribe of Judah:

Genesis 49:10: The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.

Therefore, the Jews persecuting Stephen should have known that Jesus was the Son of God, but they refused to hear the truth from Him. Moses is a type of Christ in Scripture. He was rejected, just as Christ was rejected. Again, what did the Hebrew say to Moses, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us?’ ” (Exodus 2:14). The Jews interrogating Stephen had willfully rejected their Messiah––sad.

Later, Paul the Apostle, who is believed to be the writer of the book of Hebrews, wrote a clarifying fact about Jesus Christ: For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood (Hebrews 7:14).

It is a known fact that the Jews kept accurate records of their lineage. They were very proud of their Jewish heritage. It is fascinating to study the lineage of Jesus Christ. Why not make a study of it for yourself today? Then you will realize the infallible truth that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in your discovery, never harden your heart and reject Him.

“Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
Revelation 5:5

THURSDAY March 9, 2023

The Rejected Ruler

“This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years.”

Acts 7:35-36

When Moses tried to break up a fight between two Hebrew men, do you remember the first reaction from one of them? Moses was pushed away and rejected as a ruler over them. Moses was told: “Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?” Yet God was with Moses. He sent him and He did many wonders and signs in the land of Egypt through him. Moses led them through the Red Sea and became the people’s leader in the wilderness for forty years.

When God delivered His people from bondage, there was no way out. In front of them was the Red Sea, and behind them was the entire Egyptian army coming with their chariots! What should they do? God basically said to Moses, “Do not panic; smite the waters with the rod in your hand, and I will take care of the problem.” Moses was obedient. The sea parted and the people walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. God made a way of escape. As the Egyptians continued to pursue the Hebrews, they entered right into the midst of the Red Sea on dry ground; but all of a sudden, God closed up the sea and the whole Egyptian army drowned.

Sometimes, God will allow you to come to a place where seemingly there is no way out. You are right at the edge of the water, and the enemy is closing in. Instead of looking up, you are looking down. Do not panic even though the enemy is still in hot pursuit, ready to wipe you out. Call upon your God for deliverance. He will make a way of escape for you. He will speak to your heart directly and tell you what to do. Obey His direction, knowing that God always takes care of His people.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD
delivers him out of them all.
~Psalm 34:19~

WEDNESDAY March 8, 2023

Holy Ground

“ ‘Then the LORD said to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.” ’ ”

Acts 7:33-34

Inquisitive Moses drew near to the burning bush, and God spoke to him. He showed him His holy presence, and in His presence, Moses needed to take off His sandals. He was standing on holy ground. God––Jehovah Yahweh, holy God––was before Moses, speaking with him.

God had seen how the Hebrew people were being mistreated and beaten by their Egyptian task masters. He saw those who were being killed while in slavery in Egypt. He knew His people were crying out, praying to Him, and He was answering their prayers. God would send Moses to deliver them. He was commissioned by God. Moses was sent by God to rescue His people.

Whatever oppressive trial you are facing today, know that God is very aware of it. He sees your oppression. Remember, He does not sleep or slumber: …He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:3-4). God is watching over you, and He will act. It is in His power to deliver you from your situation. Wait patiently for Him to help.

How different, if one waits for God’s own time and looks to Him for help and deliverance! When at last help comes, after many hours of prayer and after much faith and patience, how sweet it is! What a reward the soul receives for trusting God and waiting patiently for His deliverance!
~George Muller~

TUESDAY March 7, 2023

The Great “I AM”

“And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘I am the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and dared not look.”

Acts 7:30-32

Who is the Angel of the Lord? This was a theophany of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. He appeared to Moses in a flame of fire in a bush and began to make Himself known to Moses. He was the God of his fathers––Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses’ parents were from the tribe of Levi (1 Chronicles 6:1-3).

Moses grew up in Egypt, but his mother Jochebed must have ingrained in his heart and mind his Hebrew heritage. No doubt she told him stories of the patriarchs and how God worked in their lives. Now God was going to do a new work in Moses’ life. Interestingly, He would also use the lives of his sister Miriam and his brother Aaron.

After initially being rejected by his brethren, Moses, although he would tell the people he was sent by the God of their fathers, wanted to know what he should say to them if they asked, “What is His name?” God needed to make Himself known to his weary and oppressed people. So, God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you’ ” (Exodus 3:14). The great “I AM,” means “The All Becoming One.” God would become whatever His people needed Him to become for them.

In the New Testament, Jesus made Himself known to people by seven “I AM’s.” Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35); “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12); “I am the door” (John 10:7, 9). “I am the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14). “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25); “I am the way the truth and the life” (John 14:6); and “I am the true vine” (John 15:1). Jesus, as the great “I AM,” will become everything that you need Him to be in your life.

I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

MONDAY March 6, 2023

Reconciler on the Run

“And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?’ But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?’ Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons.”

Acts 7:26-29

Moses believed that nobody had seen what he had done. He had killed an Egyptian and hid him in the sand. Moses went about his life––business as usual. The next day he tried to break up two Hebrew men fighting. Moses did not expect to hear from the one man whom instigated the fight these contentious and convicting words: “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” (Exodus 2:14).

In Moses’ attempt to assert his authority, his murderous deed was exposed. Moses tried to be a reconciler, but he ended up running for his life! God drew him out of Egypt into the land of Midian. The first 40 years of his life, he learned to be a somebody; the next forty years he learned to be a nobody. Moses grew up to know all the wisdom and knowledge of Egypt. He was very proud. God would begin to strip him of his pride and show him His glory. Moses married one of Jethro’s seven daughters and settled down in the land of Midian, where he learned to become a humble shepherd (Exodus 2:15-21).

Moses would become the deliverer of the oppressed Hebrews. He would lead about 2 million people out of Egypt, but first all, he needed to be broken before God. He became conscious of the Lord and would come to know Him intimately in the last forty years of his life.

Are you experiencing a time of being broken before God? Has He stripped you of your self-confidence, pride or self-will? Do you ever wonder why God is shaping and molding you? He wants to break you and make you useful. The question is, are you willing to submit to His will?

Brokenness is the stripping of self-reliance and independence from God.
~Nancy Leigh DeMoss~

SUNDAY March 5, 2023 The Defense of a Deliverer “Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand.” Acts 7:23–25 Moses saw that one of his brethren was being mistreated. He witnessed him being beaten, and the injustice made him very angry. Moses decided to take matters into his own hands. He not only defended the oppressed Hebrew, he avenged him by killing the Egyptian: So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand (Exodus 2:12). It seems at this time, Moses had a sense of destiny. He voiced that God would use him to deliver the Hebrews. He presumed they would know, but they did not know. Moses had a lot to learn. The deliverance of God’s people would take more than his own human strength and might. Moses was just the instrument God would use. God would do the miraculous. The Hebrews needed to know their God. They needed to see Him as their Deliverer––to grow to trust and follow Him. Much later, Moses would tell God’s suffering people what God was about to do for them: “ ‘I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians’ ” (Exodus 6:6-7). Who is the One accredited for the Hebrews’ deliverance? The Lord! Sometimes people get their eyes on the man God is using when he is just the messenger. It is God’s intent that you come to know Him. He is the One who can rescue you from your circumstances. God is your Deliverer. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust…. ~Psalm 18:2~

SATURDAY March 4, 2023

In God’s Hands

“At this time Moses was born, and was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father’s house for three months. But when he was set out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.”

Acts 7:20-22

Stephen was still laying a historical foundation of the nation of Israel before he would come to the point of his sermon. He had reached the period when Moses was born. Pharaoh had commanded the people to kill all the baby boys by drowning them in the River Nile. Jochebed, his mother, hid him for three months, but when she was unable to conceal him anymore, by faith, she put him in a little basket and placed him by the bank of the River (Exodus 2:1-3). A mother released her child into a place of grave danger, knowing and trusting he was in the Lord’s hands.

God’s hand was upon the child. At the right time and at the right place, Pharaoh’s daughter was bathing:

And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, this is one of the Hebrews' children (Exodus 2:5-6 KJV).

Moses was safe. It is fascinating how God rewarded Jochebed’s faith. In another turn of events, she was chosen to nurse Moses:

Then his sister [Miriam] said to Pharaoh's daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, “Go.” So the maiden went and called the child's mother (Exodus 2:7-8).

Moses would become the leader of the nation of Israel, but that was not known to anyone yet. I believe, there are no coincidences with God. No matter how young or how old you are, our lives are in God’s hands.

My times are in your hands… Psalm 31:15. The great truth of this one verse is this … that all that concerns the believer is
in the hands of Almighty God.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

FRIDAY March 3, 2023

A Treacherous King

“But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt till another king arose who did not know Joseph. This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live.”

Acts 7:17-19

Stephen continued to masterfully recall Israel’s history, speaking of the time when Moses was born. A new, treacherous king arose in Egypt who did not know Joseph. He made the children of Israel slaves, placing taskmasters over them to build supply cities and work in the fields, but the more they afflicted God’s people, the more they multiplied and grew (Exodus 1:1-14).

Then the king decided to speak with the Hebrew midwives, Shiprah and Puah. He told them to kill every male child born, but any girls born could live. The midwives feared God and spared the baby boys. Moses was born during this time and hidden. The king questioned them, saying, “Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?” The Lord gave the midwives wisdom in their answer. God rewarded them because they feared Him above this ruthless king of Egypt (Exodus1:15-20).

So Pharaoh commanded his people to throw any male children into the river to drown, but the girls were to be saved (Exodus 1:22). When an

unrighteous, wicked or treacherous leader rules a nation, the people suffer tremendously. Proverbs 29:2 tells us: When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

In the White House sits a President whom we can liken to this Pharaoh. It has been said that he is the most pro-abortion President ever to take office. He has pushed for over-the-counter abortion pills at pharmacies nationwide. The President is also seeking to find travel options for those women seeking to get out-of-state abortions. He defends abortion on demand and supported an abortion bill that would have allowed abortion up until the time of birth––The Women’s Health Act. It was defeated!

I strongly urge you to vote for candidates who support the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman, protect the sanctity of life and defend our religious freedoms.
~Billy Graham~

THURSDAY March 2, 2023

A Family Reunion

“Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people. So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died, he and our fathers. And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.”

Acts 7:14-16

Stephen continued his sermon––a lengthy, historical discourse. Joseph never sought revenge, but reconciliation with his brothers. He sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives to come to Egypt while the famine endured.

Remember, Jacob could not be comforted when he was told about Joseph’s violent death. He was not the same––his sadness and sorrow lasted for over 22 years. After all this time of grief, thinking his son was dead, Jacob heard the remarkable truth––his favored son was alive! Consider his emotional response to the good news:

And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. Then Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Imagine his tender reunion with Joseph! Jacob would live his final 17 years of his life in Egypt with him. Jacob’s last words to his sons are recorded in Genesis 49. Jacob asked to be buried in Shechem, in the same cave Abraham bought as a burial place in the field of Machpelah:

“There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife, there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah. The field and the cave that is there were purchased from the sons of Heth.” And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people (Genesis 49:31-33).

God was in every detail of Jacob and his sons’ lives. God had a plan that was continuing to unfold, despite Joseph’s brothers’ actions. God has a plan for your life as well, from the beginning to the very end.

God’s plan will continue on God’s schedule.
~A.W. Tozer~

WEDNESDAY March 1, 2023

God’s Providence

“Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to the Pharaoh.”

Acts 7:11-13

God is so amazing! In His providence, Joseph, despite his brothers’ attempt to be rid of him, was placed in the right place at the right time. Joseph was a powerful figure in Egypt, a ruler of all the land, before the famine began––a famine that would last seven years. God was going to use Joseph, despite his brothers’ attempts to rid themselves of him, to save all the lives of his entire family.

At this time, the land had endured two years of famine, and Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt for grain. They did not recognized him. Joseph could have had his brothers killed for their cruelty, but he made the choice to forgive them. When Joseph broke down and wept before them, they finally recognized him and were afraid. They knew what they had done to their younger brother (Genesis 45).

Joseph comforted and reassured them. No harm would come to them. In his heart, Joseph knew God had sent him before them so they would not starve. He recognized God’s providence in his life and said to them:

“But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance”

(Genesis 45:5-7).

This is a beautiful story. God gave Joseph insight into His providence and helped him to forgive his brothers. Do you recognize God’s providence working in your life? May the Lord give you a heart of forgiveness for anyone in your family whose actions have purposely hurt you.

The Providence of God is the great protector of our life and usefulness, and under the divine care we are perfectly safe from danger.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

TUESDAY February 28, 2023

God Is With Us

“And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.”

Acts 7:9-10

Stephen began to recite the story of Joseph before the council. He was Jacob’s favorite son. The rest of his brothers were envious of him. When his father sent Joseph to check on his brothers, they saw him and said to one another, “Why don’t we just get rid of him?” At first, they placed him in a pit. Then they changed their minds and decided to sell him to passing merchants. Joseph was sold to the house of Potiphar in Egypt, and here he began the next season of his life––but God was with him.

The brothers killed a goat, placed its blood on Joseph’s garment, and showed the bloodied coat to their father. They outright lied to him, saying a wild animal had killed his son. Imagine, their father was emotionally ripped apart with his grief (Genesis 37).

God was with Joseph and promoted him within the house of Potiphar. He was left in charge of all his household. Potiphar’s wife desired him, as he was young, strong and handsome. Every day she pursued him. When her husband went on a journey, she decided to plan a time when they would be alone.

Potiphar’s wife arranged a time for the male servants to be gone. The seductress made herself ready to seduce Joseph. She grabbed his clothing and demanded he lie with her. He was in the prime of life, but he did not yield to the temptation. Instinctively, in the fear of God, He did what was right. He ran out naked, while she cried, “Rape!” Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph, and he was put in jail for years––but God was with him.

God honored Joseph because he trusted Him. While in jail, Joseph was favored and became a leader among the men. In God’s perfect time, using his gift of interpreting dreams, Joseph would eventually become second in command in Pharaoh’s kingdom (Genesis 39-41).

Through all the seasons of your life, no matter how difficult, know this one truth––God is with you!
God is with us, and His power is around us.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

MONDAY February 27, 2023

The Covenant of Circumcision

“Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs.”

Acts 7:7-8

In Genesis 17, Almighty God made an everlasting covenant with Abraham. Even though he was 99 years old, God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, and that kings would come from his lineage. The land of Canaan would be given to his descendants as an everlasting possession.

He was also given the covenant of circumcision. Abraham and every male child would need to be circumcised. This would be a sign of the covenant made between God and Abraham. At the age of 100 years old, the promised child was born. Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old (Genesis 21:3-5).

Later, Isaac married Rebekah (Genesis 24). She gave birth to Jacob and Esau––twins (Genesis 25:21-27). Rebekah’s son Jacob married Leah and Rachel. He fathered twelve sons who became the twelve patriarchs of the tribes of Israel.

The Apostle Paul, being a Pharisee, explained fully why God’s people were so special, and he explained clearly the covenants given to them:

For I could wish that I myself were accursed—cut off from Christ—for the sake of my people, my fellow countrymen, who are Israelites. To them belong the adoption as sons, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from them, by human descent, came the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever! Amen (Romans 9:3-5 NET).

Israel has an amazing, privileged history! I love the Jewish people. Pray about visiting Israel with us next year. You will see many historical sites as you walk through the places where Jesus lived, died and rose again!

We thank God for the Jewish people, whose love and loyalty, brilliance and bravery, resilience and resolve, spirit and strength bless America and the world.
~Donald J. Trump~

SUNDAY February 26, 2023

God’s Perfect Timing

Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.”

Genesis 17:15-16

Remember, God promised Abraham a child. After waiting a long time, Sarah his wife became impatient. Instead of waiting on God’s perfect timing, she persuaded her husband to take her maid Hagar and have a child through her. He should not have listened to his wife at this particular time. They paid the consequences of their actions––it brought strife and sorrow to the family (Genesis 16).

Hagar became pregnant, and Ishmael was born. He was not the promised child. Through his birth, the Arab nations came into existence. They always strove with Israel. Even today, many Arab nations have remained Israel’s enemies, all because Abraham and Sarah tried to help God out.

God promised Abraham a child through Sarah, even though she was past the age of childbearing. When the Lord confirmed the promise to Abraham again, Sarah overheard and, in the doorway of their tent, laughed to herself. She was so old! Yet a year later, Sarah had the baby God had promised––Isaac (Genesis 17:21). Sarah named him Isaac which means “laughter,” because of the time she had laughed in the tent.

Although Sarah laughed at the possibility of having a child, interestingly it is recorded in Hebrews 11:11-12:

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

May we learn to wait on the promises of God for His divine, perfect timing. He has a set-time for everything––have faith to believe.

When we surrender to His timing, He does mighty things in and for us, according to His will and His timing. God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.
~Charles F. Stanley~

SATURDAY February 25, 2023

Future Suffering

“But God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years. ‘And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will judge,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.’”

Acts 7:6-7

What was Stephen continuing to say to the Jewish council? He reminded them of what God had told Abraham. God revealed to him that one day, within future generations, His people would remain in bondage for 400 years. In a time of famine, 70 persons belonging to Jacob’s family would journey into the land of Egypt (Genesis 46:27).

At first, Joseph’s family were welcomed into the land of Egypt, but when Joseph died, and a new Pharaoh arose, he made them slaves. God Almighty would miraculously deliver the Hebrews from Egypt and lead them into the Promised Land. There they would serve Him. The Hebrew people would come to know their great God–– the I Am (Exodus 3:14). By the time the people left Egypt, the Hebrews would multiply in their numbers; the count was about 3.2 million people in the great Exodus.

Why was Stephen reciting Israel’s history to the Sanhedrin? God’s people in the past had hardened hearts, and those on the council were resisting the work of God, too. Perhaps your heart has become hardened against God. Maybe you need clarification of the Scriptures because you lack understanding.

Sometimes people suffer a hardened heart because of suffering. I am sure the intense suffering in Egypt would have caused many Hebrews to question God. Why did they have to suffer? Yet it was through suffering, they would come to know their Deliverer. They would see His mighty power and know Him by name––the great I Am. Yet many still resist Him, and, in stubbornness and rebellion, they would die in the wilderness.

God knows your future. He knows what is ahead of you, and He has gone before you. Despite your suffering, learn to trust God.

This is God’s universal purpose for all Christian suffering: more contentment in God and less satisfaction in the world.
~John Piper~