Acts 7:58, 8:1
They threw Stephen out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. Now Saul was consenting to his execution.

Stephen was the first martyr to die for preaching about the risen Jesus. And the young man mentioned named Saul who stood in approval of the stoning of Stephen…was a Pharisee…one of the religious leaders. He became one of the most infamous persecutors of Christians…all in the name of God by the way! This same Saul later became known as St. Paul after undergoing an amazing conversion. St. Paul became one of the greatest Christian preachers. God loves all people including those who do evil things. Jesus told us to love our enemies. Stephen’s act of martyrdom no doubt planted an early seed that one day would play a part in Saul’s coming to understand who Christ really was. If the evil-doing Saul had simply been eliminated by the “good guys”…there never would have been a St. Paul. Something to ponder. Besides this…who are we throwing out and trying to silence today?

Suggested song of the day—“Make Me a Channel” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
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Have a blessed day!