Crosswalk the Devotional - Nov. 9, 2007

November 9, 2007

Enduring Hurled Stones 
by Fred Alberti - Crosswalk.com Manager of Communities

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

Stephen was just an ordinary believer that God chose to use in an extraordinary way. He was chosen by the church leaders to assist in meeting the needs of the widowed church members. God chose to use him to work miracles and preach.

I like his speech recorded in Acts chapter 7. I can just imagine seeing the religious leaders drumming their fingers as he recounted Jewish history… they knew all of this already of course. But their drumming fingers soon came to be clenched fists as Stephen began to drive home their hard-headedness. It didn't take long before those clenched fingers were clutching stones waiting to be hurled in Stephen's direction.

You know, Stephen could have stopped at anytime. This wasn't his job; he was just supposed to make sure everyone got their food. Who would have blamed him? His life was in danger. But he didn't stop; he chose to allow himself to be swept away by the Spirit.

How about it?

Are you willing to be used by God?
 
Intersecting Faith & Life: Will you take a stand for Jesus regardless of the cost? Maybe you've been pounded by one to many stones. Take heart… Jesus is standing to the right of the Father. Be brave. Be strong. He will sustain you. 

Further Reading

Acts 7
Psalm 46
The God of All Encouragement, by Adrian Rogers