Love is the only thing that will transform the world.

(Listen to my song “Pour Me Out” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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Acts 7:59—8:1

As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”; and when he said this, he fell asleep. Now Saul was consenting to his execution.

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Stephen, known as the first Christian martyr, would appear to be a “loser” in the eyes of the world.

Those in power killed him because of his belief in Jesus.

Just like Jesus…Stephen did not respond to violence with violence but he instead responded with forgiveness.

Thanks to Jesus…Stephen knew that responding to hate with love was the only way to transform the hateful act to a path to goodness and light.

We believe that just as Jesus demonstrated that new life follows death…Stephen also entered new life.

And, just as the way Jesus lived, died and rose transformed many…Stephen’s bold, non-violent response transformed many as well. 

His stoning started the process by which a man named Saul would also be transformed.

Saul persecuted and was at the very least complicit in the murders of many Christians…but would later be known as Paul…the greatest Christian evangelist in history.

Paul would one day lay down his life in the name of Christ…on behalf of Love.

Paul’s message would be that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).

May we believe and boldly proclaim the same message!

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Listen to the song of the day “Pour Me Out” on the Give Praise and Thanks album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!