Acts 7

So we all know that I don't choose to read very often. I really struggled in my quiet times last year because it was hard to sit down and read. I would start reading a book of the Bible and then stop and then not get baack into it for awhile. It was really frustrating because my first 2 years of college I had great quiet times. I just couldn't get into the groove...it's hard to explain. I was really working with Sue (my mentor) to learn what a quiet time means...not the cookie cutter quiet times that I had been handed.... you know read this, pray, write. I needed someting more spontaneous...something deeper. Well, I didn't really get connected as often as I wanted during my spontaneity. So this year I have been trying something different...well, not that different- it's more of a psychological difference. So Sue gave me this "reading plan" that she found for the year. It reads through the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. I think the difference is that if I miss a day rahter than beating myself up and trying to read 2 or 3 days at once because I didn't read, I just pick up on the date. (David's idea). This has really helped me not feel overwhelmed and like a failure.
So this year has beengoing a lot better,I have been reading on a regular basis and I look forward to my quiet time with Jesus.
The next frustration I have is that I don't know the history of the BIble as well as I would like. I often forget who came first and where they lived and all that stuff. I know lots of people have a hard time keeping it all straight...but that doesn't seem to help me let go of wanting to know it all.
So yesterday God gave me a gift. The gift of Acts 7.
So Stephen gets up and is speaking to the Sanhedrins. He starts talking about how they are all doing just as their forefathers. And he starts preaching Old Testament histroy
- so he begins with Abraham- God promises that his descendents will inherit-- well first they'll be mistreated and then God will punish those who did the mistreating. Abraham is given the covenant of circumcision
- Abraham is the father of Isaac then
- Isaac of Jacob.
-Jacob the faher of the 12 patriarchs- 1 of which is Joseph- who has very jealous brothers that take him to Egypt. So he's raised in as an Egyptian and then a famine comes and he is able to help his family. And the pharaoh treats him well. Then a new pharaoh comes who doesn't know him and that's when God offers Moses. Moses raised with Pharaoh, kills an Egyptian because of an argument and flees. Then God shows up as a burning bush. Over time after the plagues the Israelites are freed- but they spend 40 years in the desert. Then they begin worshipping idols.
-then Joshua comes
-David who wants to build a home for God
-but it's Solomon who builds it
So Steven's finishes and the crowd is not happy. So they take him away to stone him and guess who is ordering the stoning...none other than Saul.

So I love this chapter for so many reasons. 1. It will forever be a quick reference to remember who came first- I have read all their stories, but I can't remember in what order they came...this really helps 2. Stephen's last words were about God's involvement with his people and how he had the best for them... 3. Saul is the one ordering Steven's death. yeah, Paul's letter and love for Christ leads people to Christ daily.

I think God's mercy is so real when we read the Bible. It never ceases to amaze me that David is known as the man after God's own heart and he had so many women on the side. And then Saul/Paul was a huge persecuter of Christians.They both repented and God forgave them. But it wasn't the kind of forgiveness that reminded them of their faults...or the kind that says I forgive you for now, but when I am angry I might bring up your sin again. No, it was clean and their sin was gone. It's so hard to forgive that way. I often think I have forgiven, just to be reminded that I really haven't.
All of you know David and I broke up before our engagement and I made some really stupid choices. But when David decided that he was going to forgive me and try to work it out...he meant it. I have never been reminded of the time that I left him (well, only by my father in law- but he reminds me out of love and kindness- more of a joke to ease the pain!). He's never asked anything of me when it comes to the time. I think David's forgiveness was a testimony of God's love and mercy. As far as the east to the west so are your sins forgiven...

May we be the kind of Christians who in the midst of our persecution we cry out as Stephen, "'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he fell on his knees and cry out, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.'"