The Stoning of Stephen

These are some of the words of Stephen to the high priest and the counsel: Acts 7:51-53 "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it."
This is such a sad fact. Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, longed for the people to come to repentance. He and the disciples went from town to town preaching the word of God. This angered the high priest and the counsel who feared losing control over the people. Above all, they wanted to be the only spiritual leaders and to keep the people under the bondage of the law and in the customs that Moses had taught.They set up false witnesses against Stephen who were told to lie and say he spoke blasphemous words against Moses and God. In the end, Stephen was stoned.
Acts 7:54-60 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. ⁵⁵But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this he fell asleep.
Did you catch that? He asked God to have mercy on his murderers! How humbling! Also, notice in the previous verses that the young man Saul, at whose feet Stephen's garments were laid, would later use the name Paul and would be one of the most devoted witnesses for Christ.
Lord, it is my prayer that You would touch hearts today for Your glory. They are many who are being persecuted for their obedience to You. Bless them and give them courage through Your Spirit. Amen

Doubting Thomas

John 20:24-29 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas,  "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Are you a doubting Thomas? Do you need physical assurance(perhaps a small miracle) that Jesus is Lord?
Well dear friend, being a christian is based on faith.
Heb.11:1-3 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Lord, only Your word can change hearts. I pray for every doubt the adversary will put in our head to be put to rest with Your word. Let us run to it as we need it to survive. Amen

Week 14 of Charles Stanley's Intercession for America/Turning Away From Israel

Gen.12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
God blessed us through Abraham. He is the father of all nations, Jew and Gentile alike.
Acts 3:25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'
Gal.3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed."
Lord, I pray for our family in Israel. Open their hearts to the truth of Your word. I pray we would never forget that we are brothers in God's eyes and that our blessings come from Abraham. Amen

On the Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13-35 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.


Christ is revealed to us in many ways. His word is the same, no matter how many times you read through it, He will reveal something to you that you did not catch the other times you read it. I am always eager to see what God will reveal to me each time I have the privilege to read His word. I do realize that not all people are free to read God's word. I pray that it will not always be so. If you have never read the whole bible, please make plans to do so. On January 1st, I will start putting a daily bible reading on my blog. We will read through the whole bible in 1 year together. You will receive a blessing but also you will began to truly know God. And by knowing Him, you can share Him with others. I love you all and am blessed by you.
Lord, only You have the power to save and reap Your harvest. All we can do is love people in Your name and show them the wonder of Your majesty. Lord, help us sow Your seed. Amen
Heb.2:10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Heb.12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising  the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

While We Were Asleep

Matt. 28:11-15 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, "Tell people, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.
This report of the guard, as told to the Jewish Counsel was completely fabricated. How do you know what takes place while you sleep? My Jewish brothers and sisters, pray earnestly about this passage of scripture, that the Lord of the harvest above will open your eyes to the truth of God's word. An eternity separated from God is a terrifying thing.
Heb.9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment. You will spend eternity somewhere!
God sent His Son Jesus Christ to satisfy our debt of sin. His blood is the only acceptable atonement. 
Lev.17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.
Heb.13:12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.
Lord, I pray for my brothers and sisters in China, Iran, Israel, the Netherlands, Russia, Germany, Australia and the US. Lord, we want them in the body of Christ. Speak Your words to their hearts, open their eyes to the truth of Your word and capture them with Your majesty. Lord, we know it does not matter our circumstance in life because You forgive all sin except blasphemy. You have many wonderful bible truths of all types of sinners being forever changed by You. We know that sin is sin and in Your eyes all sins are the same. We try to judge our brother's sin but we can not because we all are being judged by You and You alone. Lord, let Your word speak to that one person today who may not have a tomorrow. Lord, reap Your harvest! Amen
This is God's command to His Followers:
Matt.28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them,  "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Peter's Denial

Definition of denial: disbelief in the existence or reality of a thing, refusal to recognize or acknowledge.
All the gospels give an account of Peter's denial from different points of view with the same outcome of mercy shown to undeserving sinners.
Matt.26:69-75 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean." And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders,"This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." And again he denied it with an oath: "I do not know the man." After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you." Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.
Mark 14:66-72 And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus." But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you mean." And he went out into the gateway andthe rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, "This man is one of them." But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, "Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean." But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know this man of whom you speak." And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him,  "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept.
Luke 22:54-62 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, "This man also was with him." But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him." And a little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not." And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, "Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean." But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him,  "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.
John 18:25-27  Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, "You also are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not." One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
While we all are horrified at Peter's denial of Christ, are we not also guilty in some thought or deed? Our sin nature leaves us open to denying Christ but we receive, upon repentance, mercy just as Peter did. Our flesh is weak but we are under divine grace. The book of Luke alone records that Jesus made eye contact with Peter after his denial and then Peter remembered and wept bitterly. We may not see Jesus looking us in the eye, but we stand accused all the same, for his conviction of our sin remains with us until we are forgiven by His grace. The thought of seperation from Him pierces the heart and leaves a cold despair. 
Definition of despair: to loose all hope. Sweet Lord, convict us of our sin. Help us to fall on our knees to You with regret for our denial of You and Your majesty. Forgive us, teach us and remember us in mercy. Amen

Week 13 of Charles Stanley's Intercession for America/Terrorism

Ps.91:4-9 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge
These verses are really wonderful because it lets us know that no evil can touch us because of God's sovereign protection. It would have to be God's will for disaster to touch us! This brings to mind another great verse: Romans 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us?
Father, how often do we remember that we are under Your protection? It should make us ever so bold but it does not! Lord, I pray for boldness for us as we take You to the nations. Let everything we do be for Your glory. Amen

Sweet Jesus Servant King

Luke 19:10  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Phil.2:1-11 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Everytime I read Your word, I stand amazed. I am so unworthy of the gift of Your son and Your word!
How humbling is this Man who gave His life for so many? Can we even grasp the debt we owe Him?
Father God, You and Your Son are so far beyond our comprehension! Give us the faith we need to trust and obey You. Amen

And the Truth Shall Set You Free

I recently heard that our president, Obama, made a statement about us all worshiping the same God but we just call him something different. Nothing could be farther from the truth!!! There is only one true living God who created the universe and in Him and through Him all things exist. I can not make you believe this but the bible is a great tool for the unbeliever as well as the believer. You only have to look at the wonder of nature and the gift of a new life to see that there is a creator.
1Cor.8:4-6 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that"an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one." For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
God was never created, He is from everlasting to everlasting. He is, was and will be!
Is.43:10-13 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD,"and my servant whom I have chosen,
that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed,
nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.
I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you;
and you are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and I am God. Also henceforth I am he;
there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?"
Ps.90:1-2 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth,or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. President Obama, from your statements, I fear you will spend eternity seperated from a holy, living God.
I will continue to pray God will have mercy on you and open your eyes to the truth. I will leave you with one more statement of truth from God's word: Heb.9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.
Lord, I pray for all the people who are believing a lie, that all religions worship the same God and may call him something different. I know that You and You alone open hearts to the truth of Your word. Have mercy on them just as You have had mercy on us. Lord, reap a mighty harvest through Your followers as we go out in a lost and dying world. Amen

Week 12 of Charles Stanley's Intercession for America/The War Against Jesus

Matt.5:10-12 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.



I recently gave some bible verses on homosexuality and was accused of judging gay people. The bible verses I gave were against gay marriage for God states in His word, marriage is between a man and a woman. I can not judge but God will! I will be held accountable if I do not, in love, tell the truth of God's word.

Week 11 Charles Stanley's Intercession for America/Confusion and Corruption

Is.3:12-13 My people— infants are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, your guides mislead you and they have swallowed up the course of your paths. The LORD has taken his place to contend; he stands to judge peoples.




This is meant to be an insult to leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, as women and children were deemed not suitable for government leadership.
I think this does apply to our present day leadership given the sad state we are in and the incompetence that abounds.

Week 10 Charles Stanley's Intercession for America/Rapid Erosion on Our Liberties

Gal.5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Our government is not for the people, it is not by the people, it is for its self. It is growing and out of control.
It wants to restrict us more and more and take our freedom away. America fall on your knees to God, and ask for His guidance. Listen to the preamble of the constitution: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.