It's never to late to get into the Game!

Event: Stephen's Speech to the Sanhedrin

S - Scripture
Acts 7 v. 30 Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.

O - Observation
It's never too late to be used by God! I love this verse. There's a very strong albeit hidden message. It's never too late to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. It's never too late to be used by Jesus. Age, can't be an excuse. Think about it, "when forty years had passed, that was after Moses's first 40 years when we was in Egypt. So Moses was 80 years old when he saw the burning bush. Just think, he led the whole nation of Israel for another 40 years. It's never too late to get into the game. I'm too weak, I'm too frail. Bhaa!! 1 Corinthians 1 v. 27b, "God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong."

A - Application
Do I have an excuse for not getting into the game? Remember Moses!!!

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thanks for being able to use me anytime.  Love Will

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Worship

 Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: Genesis 22:5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, I and the boy will go over there and WORSHIP and come again to you.”

O - OBSERVATION: This is one of the greatest test’s of obedience in scripture, and Abraham told his young men that he and Isaac were going to worship. Actually, Abraham was obeying the Lord’s request to sacrifice his only son. Ironically, Isaac carried his own wood to the  sacrifice and it took them three days to get to the location. Thankfully, at the last minute God provided a ram for the sacrifice and Isaac’s life was spared and Abraham’s descendants became as numerous as the stars, just as God had promised.

A - APPLICATION: This is about worship and sacrifice, as well as Abraham’s absolute\ obedience. It point’s to Jesus who also was absolutely obedient even to death on the cross, the
cross He began carrying to Calvary. But this time Jesus died in our stead, and rose from the dead 3 days later. And each time we celebrate the Sacrament of the Altar we remember Jesus took our place, gave His Body and Blood to pay for our transgressions, so we give thanks, and praise His Holy Name, which is a part of WORSHIP.

P - PRAYER: Gracious Father, thank You for Jesus and Your plan for salvation. In 2 Corinthians 5:15, it says He died for all, help us to share that message so truly all may hear of
Your great name. In Jesus Name, Amen

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We need to switch from Judging to Loving

Event: Stephen's Speech to the Sanhedrin

S - Scripture
Acts 7 v. 7 "But I will judge the nation they serve," said God, "and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place."

O - Observation
Let God do the judging. This verse is the result of the Israelites being held in captivity, slavery by the Egyptians for 400 years. That should give them all a right to judge and personally seek restitution. But no! Romans 12 v. 19, "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, ' Revenge is mine I will repay, says the Lord." We are called to love one another, even our enemies. Instead of obsessing on how we can one up the other, we need to obsess on how we can lift up the other. Remember, Matthew 7 v. 1, "Judge not, that you not be judged."

A - Application
Am I judging others or lifting up others?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Free me from the burden of judging others and put in my heart to love others.   Love Will

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Learn the History - Learn the Culture

Event: Stephen's Speech to the Sanhedrin

S - Scripture
Acts 7 v. 1-2 And the high priest said, "is this so?" And Stephen said, "Brethren and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared of our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran."

O - Observation
Know your history. Know your background. Stephen was defending his position, (Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to heaven) to the high priest. So in presenting his case, presenting the facts, Stephen used as the foundation, their history, and the facts. Being familiar with a person's history or culture helps one to connect and tie how Jesus can fit in with them. Is a great place to start. To do this, requires listening, hearing what people have to say. It requires studying and understanding a culture. Then we need to present the message of Christ in terms people understand.

A - Application
How well do I know the culture of today?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to know the culture of my city so that I can effectively share your word.  Love Will

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Experience the Paradigm Shift!

Event: Stephen Seized

S - Scripture
Acts 6 v. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.

O - Observation
Jesus destroys the norm. A true relationship with Jesus will require a paradigm shift. Customs, rote religion (religious rules) will go away if one has a personal relationship with Jesus  Christ. Living a life in complete trust and faith eliminates the fears and burdens of the religious customs. After all, 1 John 4 v. 18, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear," Living in faith changes the mindset from, "I got to do this or not to that because I 'm told so", to I get to do this, I don't want to do this because I love Jesus.

A - Application
Have I personally experienced the paradigm shift?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Shift my heart to be into a true relationship with you.  Love Will

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Build your life on the Rock

Event: Stephen Seized
S - Scripture
Acts 6 v. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. 

O - Observation
Standing on the rock of Jesus. Standing firm. In the previous verse, the people from the synagogue arose and disputed with Stephen. Stephen was full of grace and power from the Holy Spirit. But they were unable to withstand the wisdom from the Holy Spirit. Jesus indicated that he would be there for people like Stephen, people who are called on the carpet on account of his name. Luke 21 v. 15, "For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which not of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. " Stephen had complete trust, complete faith on the Rock, the foundation on which he stood. Matthew 7 v. 24, "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the Rock."

A - Application
What is my foundation?

P - Prayer
Jesus, You are my foundation.   Love Will

Let the Word of God permeate in your life

Event: The Choosing of Stephen

S - Scripture
Acts 6 v. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many priests were obedient to the faith.

O - Observation
The word of God. How powerful it is. In this verse the Word increased, disciples were multiplied greatly, and many priest obedient. Romans 10 v. 17, "So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ." Growth in numbers, growth in personal faith, can't happen if Gods' word is NOT liberally applied. Hebrews 4 v. 12, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

A - Application
Am I applying the word of God in my own life? Am I sharing God's word with others?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Let your word permeate my life.    Love Will

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