August 20, 2023
Blessed Sunday,
Problems for A Reason
Stephen was killed for his preaching of the Gospel. I often wondered why, God allowed this to happen. Today I read this:
Acts 11:19-24
New King James Version
Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
It was because of the death of Stephen that Christians fled Jerusalem and went out to other areas for safety. Because they fled they spread the Gospel to other lands.
Sometimes God has to make things get tough for us to move us to where He wants us to go. We can get so comfortable that we resist God’s calling.
There are times when we look back on our lives that we can see why God allowed bad things to happen to us. Other times we will not understand why God allowed things to happen until we get to Heaven. Until then, we have to trust God.
Betty