Acts 8
After the stoning of Stephen (see Acts 7), "on that day" all the church except the apostles scattered as a "great persecution" of the church broke out (v1). In v4 we can assume that many among those scattered included ordinary members of the church who might otherwise not thought of themselves as church leaders but were placed in a position to both preach and lead church. God allowed or created this church persecution as a means to get the believers out of Jerusalem to share the Good News of Jesus Christ - see also Acts 1:8 where prior to Jesus ascending to Heaven after the resurrection and His appearance to many, He says:
Jesus told the believers what would happen and the persecution and scattering of the church served to get the believers out of Jerusalem to Samaria and Judea. Nothing can thwart God's plans.
We should also be encouraged that God will equip us for those circumstances and divine appointments where we might not feel equipped to be God's servant. We are not alone - Moses and others also before us also felt this way and they are proof that God equips those He calls.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and You have equipped me in all ways that I serve - father, husband, worker, etc. Thank You Jesus! I am blessed! I am undeserving of the blessings You pour out on me. I worry and I have other sin. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. v4
After the stoning of Stephen (see Acts 7), "on that day" all the church except the apostles scattered as a "great persecution" of the church broke out (v1). In v4 we can assume that many among those scattered included ordinary members of the church who might otherwise not thought of themselves as church leaders but were placed in a position to both preach and lead church. God allowed or created this church persecution as a means to get the believers out of Jerusalem to share the Good News of Jesus Christ - see also Acts 1:8 where prior to Jesus ascending to Heaven after the resurrection and His appearance to many, He says:
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Jesus told the believers what would happen and the persecution and scattering of the church served to get the believers out of Jerusalem to Samaria and Judea. Nothing can thwart God's plans.
We should also be encouraged that God will equip us for those circumstances and divine appointments where we might not feel equipped to be God's servant. We are not alone - Moses and others also before us also felt this way and they are proof that God equips those He calls.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and You have equipped me in all ways that I serve - father, husband, worker, etc. Thank You Jesus! I am blessed! I am undeserving of the blessings You pour out on me. I worry and I have other sin. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
