Today’s Scripture: 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. Acts 7:58 ESV
It is already lying there; it is right in front of us. What will you and I choose to do today? Here in Acts the young Saul saw what was happening. He had a choice to support what was right or what was against God.
Of course we know at that moment as Saul stood there in Acts 8:1 we are told that he approved of the execution of Stephen. In that same verse we are told, “On that day arose a great persecution of the church”. What is going to arise from our action or inaction?
The miracle of God is that He can still choose us to be His instrument no matter the choices we have made with past opportunities. We need not focus on those but those lying at our feet right now.
The Lord is giving us the vision and the words to help others be filled with the Holy Spirit. Let’s take our opportunity today to prove Jesus is the Christ.
What is lying at your feet?
Today’s Prayer: Amazing Father, thank You for opportunity. Thank You for the desire to be Yours. I am asking Your Holy Spirit to give me the vision and the words to do Your will. Please give me the eyes to see what can arise from my taking my opportunity to serve and prove You to others. Here I am Lord, use me. Amen
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations 4 Life
Right now I feel like I am in a hold mode. A friend sent me a devotion from Chuck Swindoll. I ask myself am I missing what you are showing me, either in opportunity to learn or serve.
I love the song by Brandon Heath, Give Me Your Eyes, The chorus says, I’ve been there a million times. A couple of million eyes, Just moving past me by. I swear I never thought that I was wrong. Well I want a second glance, So give me a second chance, To see the way you see the people all along….. Give me your eyes… (my words… that I do not miss the opportunity before me. Blessings
Amen Patsy! Thanks for sharing the song, I love that song to! Give me Your eyes for just one second! I was discussing your son’s church in Nashville the other day. Is he still working in the inner city??
Hi Tom. I had been putting off having a conversation with one of my oldest and dearest friends who doesn’t know Jesus. To her, Jesus is just one of many paths, which she thinks is tolerant, and peaceful and enlightened. Deceived! I don’t say that as a judgment; I used to believe exactly the same thing before I was called out of darkness into His marvelous Light. I have been praying, “Lord soften her heart, take the scales off her ears/eyes, save her.” But I was terrified of losing her, so I would give God all kinds of excuses as to why I couldn’t talk to her about this deception: I don’t know the Word well enough, she’s not ready, she’ll hear it better from someone else, she knows my past, etc. Then Francis Chan asked a question in one of his sermons that really struck me: do you love your friend or the friendship? So I stepped out in faith and told her about Jesus, Who is the Way the Truth and the Life. Christ provides the increase and I trust in Him. 1 John 5: 14-15. Tom, would you join me in praying for my friend now, and ALL like her, (like me until some one/some MANY’S prayed for and spoke boldly/lovingly to me) that what arises is that she falls madly in love with Jesus, making Him her Lord and Savior? Thank you! Cindy P.S. I apologize for this lengthy response!
Thank you Cindy, no need to apologize for sharing prayers and love for the lost! I have no doubt the burden for your friend was placed on your heart by God Himself through His Holy Spirit. So, as you ask let us pray together.
Father God, we praise Your glorious name. You are the creator God and our Kingdom God. You have called each of us to go and make disciples and I lift now to You Father God my sister Cindy and her dear friend. Please honor Cindy’s spreading of Your seed as You have called us. We place this soul before You and we also place our faith and trust that Your will be done. Continue to use Cindy and others to prepare the soil and protect her from the elements of life that attempt to rob and destroy Your seeds. Lord I pray for Cindy and all of us that we live a life so in love with You that Your light that is revealed through our love for you be used to water and tend to the souls of others. You Father God are the finisher of our faiths and You Father God love all of our souls more than we can comprehend. Fill us Lord wih Your glory and your desire and help us show Your love and Your joy so that it is what draws all that are lost to You. We trust You Father and prayer for Your strength and Your power to share the hope, the joy and the peace of loving You as our God. We are yours and Cindy’s friend is yours and we ask for your mercy and your grace to play out. We trust Your timing and pray for Your spirit to guide our hearts to reflect you. We ask all these things in the mighty power of our LORD and Savior Jesus the Christ! Amen
Thank you so much, Tom, for another Scriptural affirmation to engrave on my heart! Yes, praise our omnipotent Father that He can – and will! – work through us here and now for His glorious and eternal purposes. It matters not what opportunities have been lost. May we surrender fully to Him that we may live – and love – fully for HIM every passing moment. YES, I am Yours, LORD; here I am. Please use me. AMEN!!!
Thank you Caroline! AMEN AND AMEN! Blessings!
Embracing those Blessings!!!! God is certainly using you in a powerful way, dear brother of mine!! Abundant blessings — always!!
Thank you Caroline! You are so encouraging! Blessings to you!
And once again you remind me to pause and ask God what He has for me to do today. Maybe my focus is what God’s working on in me right now…your words always help me refocus-
thank you my friend
Thank you Robin, I love it when you are able to drop by and confirm God’s message! Blessings and focus!:)