Spiders

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. ~ Acts 7:60

I kept seeing a Wolf Spider around my carport door. Spiders are creepy, especially these SC wolf spiders. They're big and hairy. They move fast. This one always skittered away before I could step on it. Finally, it was a little slower than usual, and I nailed it with one big stomp. Baby spiders exploded out everywhere on the carport. I was dodging baby spiders in all directions! I had no idea this species of spiders carried their babies on their abdomens. Killing one just released the babies to spread. They're actually helpful hunters. But to me, that's just more spiders to watch for and dodge everytime I go out the door. 

When the church first began there was great persecution. A deacon named Stephen was such an effective witness, the leaders of the Jews and the high priest wanted to accuse him of blasphemy. The penalty was stoning. Stephen was led outside the city. A young man, Saul of Tarsus, who was a well trained Pharisees held the coats of the men while they stoned Stephen. 

Stephen's final words as he kneeled down was a prayer to Jesus not to lay this sin to their charge. Then he "fell asleep". He died. It didn't seem to affect any participating in the stoning. It seemed to make Saul more adamant in persecuting Christians, but in reality, Jesus was working on his heart. Jesus was convicting him of his own sin. On the road to Damascus to persecute more Christians, Saul saw a blinding light and heard Jesus speak to him. Saul became the Apostle Paul who brought the gospel to the Gentile world. Though the Jewish leaders including Saul had meant evil toward Stephen, God used it for good to spread the gospel. 

Just like the spider, they can't stop the gospel. There are many already training to reach the world. Pray for those who don't yet know Jesus as Savior. Pray for those who try to stop the Gospel even with deadly persecution both in our country and around the world. Pray for families who need strength in the trying days ahead. 

Heavenly Father, may we have the courage of Stephen to continue to witness of Jesus even in the face of death. We know that like the spider, when one is persecuted, even unto death, there are hundreds more already trained to proclaim the gospel. May Your kingdom come, and Your will be done. In Jesus's name. Amen.

 

Star of Bethlehem

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. ~Matthew 24:14

My flower beds desparetly need weeding. The worst offender in the bed is a tiny white flower that grows from a bulb. Before the flower blooms the bulb grows about the size of a spring onion. Along the sides of the original bulb are tiny baby bulbs that will also enlarge and create more flowers. Sounds wonderful. I won't have to buy bulbs for these pretty white flowers ever again. Oh but wait! That means they will spread. The garden will be filled with Star of Bethlehem in a few short years. Any time I try to pull out a large bulb all the little ones fall off into the soil scattering the flower farther and farther where they will grow and reproduce even more flowers. They will spread into the grass if I accidentally drop a tiny bulb outside the bed. Even if I sift the soil I will miss some of the tiniest bulbs that again will grow and reproduce. I began to despise these pretty flowers with such a unique name. That's when it hit me. 

Since the world began Satan has tried to weed out the word of God, His Son and yes, even God himself. Satan thought one bite of the fruit would finish off God's intention but the blood of an innocent animal and the acceptance of the sacrifice was only the beginning. Cain killed Abel. Satan again thought he had won. But God provided Seth. On and on throughout scripture Satan attempts to make man thinks he can weed God out of his life. God always has a person who is willing to follow Him and His plan, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Esther, Daniel, and Cyrus. Then God sent His Son only to have Herod try to kill him by killing all the little boys under two years old. But the Star of Bethlehem won again. All through Jesus's life Satan tried one way and then another to destroy Him. The Jews tried throwing him off a cliff and stoning Him. They tried to discredit him so no one would follow. Then the Romans and the Jews crucified him. Ahh, Satan thought he had won until the third day. Then Jesus was resurrected. 

All through history Satan has tried to destroy God's people with persecutions and murder. But God is never left without a witness. Though searched out, sifted, and destroyed, there has always been and always will be a pocket of people scattered far and near that hold dear to God's word and His Son.

Heavenly Father, strengthen Your people to face whatever comes. Whether we are uprooted, sifted, or scattered help us be true to You and the faith You have planted in our hearts. In Jesus's name. Amen.