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 did? 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 an 80 year old I’m required to have an examination in order to maintain my driver’s license. I passed! YEAH!!! I believe that throughout my life God has given me examinations. One day as a young pastor 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. That 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
Praying David’s prayer, this morning and thankful for God’s Word in my heart and peace in my soul. Could feel people praying for me, this morning. Our God is so good! Amen, saints? I am praying for you–holding your needs up to the Lord our God, that He sustain you and keep you. May His blessings be upon you, as we worship and praise Him, today.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 ESV
Nicole C. Mullen – My Redeemer Lives (Lyrics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRW-jr_PnbQ
Here is Nicole C. Mullen and the Nashville Super Choir’s live version. POWERFUL!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN8BmdFFfKI
Amen Beverlee, YES, MY REDEEMER LIVES, PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!!!
Thank you for posting these great worship songs.
Thanks Beverley, for the worship song. I enjoyed the first post best as seeing the words as well as hearing them makes a deeper impact for me. He certainly does LIVE! Blessings to all today, especially on those with health issues (including me) – so thankful that He Lives. Amen
Doreen, I pray that the healing power of Jesus would cover your with His love, peace and joy. By His stripes you are healed.
Thank you Irene & May God’s great love and care overtake you. Amen
thank you, Doreen
Praying for you, Doreen and Beverlee and all who need a touch from the Lord in their physical bodies! May health and strength be imparted to you, in the precious Name of Jesus, our Lord!
Thank you for praying for my husband. He started his cancer treatments last Tuesday. He had a good week until Friday when he started to experience nausea.
Please continue to pray for him. Thank you and God bless you, all
Luisa, I pray for complete healing to flow through your husband’s body, Jesus, I ask for a complete healing for this man, in Your Name Jesus I pray, Amen and Amen! Thank You Jesus!!
In agreement with you Irene for Luisa’s husband. Help & strengthen him, Lord, in Your Name we pray. Amen
Blessings to all the bloggers. Lord, you know the needs of each of them, please bless them with your healing and comforting powers.
“I heard the voice of Jesus say …”
“What a privilege, what a joy divine…”
Father God, it is amazing and a great thing that You speak to us, through Your Spirit and Your Word! Thank You with all my heart! As David prayed, may we be like You, dear Jesus, a bit more every day. Help us all to be good and faithful servants of Yours here and wherever You send us.
We also commit our governments and leaders to You, Father. We ask for You to have Your way in this world, in Jesus’s great, great, great name,amen
yes, Amen, Rob!
Amen
Definitely. Amen Rob.
Thank you for this daily Manna; a refreshing for the day!!
Agreeing with David’s prayer. What a powerful prayer the Apostle Stephen prayed. May we follow his example.
Have a wonderful day you saints of the Lord!
remembering all those busses, with 50 person’s in each bus. This was The Journey in 2001.
I LOVE David’s personal thought for today ! 🙂
Praying Lord Jesus that your healing power to flow through Luisa’s husband. Was just watching Rev. Joseph Prince speaking on the gifts including the gift of healing and I prayed for my family members who are not serving the Lord and have health issues. Lord revive us again to be all that you have privileged us to be with your gifts. Would also appreciate you praying for my right leg from the knee down that has been swelling and tingling, perhaps neuropathy. Thank you saints!
Dear Lord Jesus, I pray for quick, complete recovery for your right leg Ger, Lord Jesus, I ask for the swelling in Ger’s right leg to become normal and the tingling stop, I also pray for peace of mind,, in Jesus Name Amen!!
Amen to all the prayers and comments above.
Continuing to pray for everyone on the blog, that our Lord’s Will be
done in Jesus’ Blessed Name, Amen.
Thank you Irene. God bless you!