QUARRY
Today’s Reading: Acts 7
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The bus terminal at the foot of the hill many believe to be Golgotha, The Place of the Skull, where Jesus was crucified. The Romans always crucified people beside the roadway for maximum impact, not on the top of a hill.
Key Verse: Acts 7:59-60
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.
The bus terminal pictured above is in an ancient quarry which is part of Mt. Moriah. On this mountain, Isaac was spared from death and God provided a ram to be sacrificed. On this mountain, God also provided the Sacrifice of His Son, our Saviour, Jesus. This may also be the place of the stoning of Stephen.
At least 10 times, Stephen, in his message, quoted from his Bible. How well do we know our Bible? Could we quote the Scriptures by memory? Have we read, marked, learned and inwardly digested the Scriptures as Stephen had done? Are we filled with the Holy Spirit as Stephen was? Are we acting, speaking, and loving as Stephen was? Here was a man who had come to be like Jesus. Saul of Tarsus was there. Later, as the Apostle Paul, Saul would write that we are, “To be conformed to the image of His Son.” Stephen had modeled this for the future Apostle.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
My fervent desire, Lord Jesus, is to be like You. By Your Spirit working in me, may I grow into all You desire me to be. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
As a student in school years ago, I was always so very glad when I passed an examination. I believe that throughout my life God has given me examinations. One day I was sitting in a room at the Hamilton YMCA, praying with a young man named Gord. His face was buried in a paper bag which had airplane glue spread on the bottom. I had seen Gord a couple of weeks before sniffing glue in a park. I brought him home to Norma-Jean, who responded with love. This time, at the “Y,” God gave me an exam. Gord lifted his head from the bag long enough to spit in my face. The old David, who had a bad temper, was no longer there. I felt nothing but the love and compassion of Jesus. I had prayed in those early years, “Lord Jesus, when I grow up, I want to be like You.” I knew He was answering my prayers. Gord gave his life to Christ soon after this. Stephen, the first Church deacon, was truly like Jesus. He’s one of my examples of someone who passed his examination with a mark of 100%.
Yours for becoming more like Jesus,
David
Thanks for sharing what happened with Gord and how God had worked in your life to he a different response. Also, when you mentioned a few days ago that you has prepared the blog the day before flying back from Israel, so it would be ready on time the next day, I wanted to say “Thanks” for your commitment, so now here is a belated “Thanks”
“My fervent desire, Lord Jesus, is to be like You. By Your Spirit working in me, may I grow into all You desire me to be. Amen!”
Thank you David Mainse for continuing daily with the morning scripture reading, your insight, and your personal testimony…
From the west coast where we received our first snowfall of the season last night – have a wonderful blessed day blog friends..
What a violent, violent history the bible has. If only we would learn from history.
Praise the Lord Gord was given the opportunity to see how a Christian would react to being spit in the face.
-32 here this a.m. in west central Alberta.
Blessings on all Christians.
Here’s a fitting song for the season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ln01p1M2cH0
Loved it I Ll aay Merry Christmas
What awesome young people are interviewed on your program Rev. Lacey Sturm is a young lady who shows young and old alike that Jesus is there if we would just let him in. And such a sensible young man is Nathan Betts. Both these souls are a credit to us all. Thank you Jesus.
I am struck by the impact of Stephen witnessing before his death. Oh, his love for God!! He provided a complete summary of God’s plan from the prophets in the Old Testament to our Saviour in the New–Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon and the Righteous One–Jesus. There, likely at Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, Stephen was stoned to death–the very place Jesus Christ, son of God and son of man, had been crucified. There, Saul of Tarsus, who became the great Apostle Paul, witnessed Stephen’s murder. There, as the photo shows, the tour buses mark this spot, for all to come and see–including the group of Canadians each year with you, David and Norma-Jean Mainse. The history lesson is carried on for future generations–it is the greatest story ever told. We are so privileged to learn from the Bible and gain an in-depth understanding from the teachings of this blog. We are so blessed to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and know our God! Amen!
Some people think that when we die we go to live in heaven and look down on our families (or even guide them). Here it states that after praying, Stephen fell asleep. I believe we sleep until Jesus brings us with Him back to earth. I had not noticed that it said, “Stephen fell asleep”. Learning things continually through the blog. Thanks all.
Pastor David…I wonder whether I would have taken Gord’s spit in the face well…May God continue to keep you in the Palm of His hands as you continue to bless and encourage us in the desire to “be like Jesus”.
thank you Lynda for that wonderful link….how true the words it speaks, and how sad that it does represent what is happening to the true meaning of This Season.
God’s Blessings to all! and truly have a “Merry Christmas” may it be so!!!
Great Picture Reynold!!!
Through Stephen’s exhortation, The Holy Spirit touched Saul’s (Paul) heart for God’s Glory.
In the beginning……..everything was created by God, everything was perfect and then MAN came, and then WOMAN and then……spit from the devil….and it’s been here every since…….they spit on Jesus….
and it’s ugly BUT GOD is also here also and nothing is more POWERFUL THAN THE TRIUNE GOD, FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.