More than likely you remember the story of Stephen from the Book of Acts. In fact, he is the main focus of chapters 6 & 7. "Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people" (6:8). Later he stood before the Sanhedrin and addressed them with a great sermon concerning the Old Testament evidence of Jesus as the Messiah. He ended his message with the following words: "You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit; as your forefathers did, so do you" (7:51). Wow! Did he really just call his audience "stiff-necked" and people who are "always resisting the Holy Spirit"?
This led to Stephen being stoned to death. It was during this stoning that Stephen looked into heaven to see Jesus standing. Listen to his words, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" (7:56). Normally in Scripture we read about Jesus sitting at the right hand of God in heaven. But here notice that Jesus was standing. Why? I remember hearing a sermon some years ago stating that Jesus was standing because of the faith demonstrated by Stephen. One of His own was being beaten, so Jesus stood to indicate His approval of Stephen and his testimony.
Praying today for:
(1) Lake O' the Pines community of Big Oaks
(2) State of Utah
(3) Nation of Togo
(4) Sub-Saharan African Peoples throughout the World
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