Good morning! How are we faithing? Yesterday we spoke of Stephen's martyrdom and when we read on we find that event emboldened the other apostles rather than silenced them. 

Act 8:4-8  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.  Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.  And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.  And there was great joy in that city. 

Regardless of the attempts to silence the apostles they continued to speak the truth of the messiah. The truth that anyone can come to Christ for salvation. No one is left out. Pardon is available. What the media misses is that true believers do not or at least ought not hate anyone but rather despise sinful deeds. These recent killings anger me but the deed is where my hatred is. My heart aches for the perpetrators that they find salvation before it's too late. Yes it's true I do not like those criminals but what I or you like is really irrelevant. We all have sinned. Justice must be served in a society or it will break down. I think our thoughts for this time need to be on reaching out to people and showing grace so more find salvation. Not an easy task when emotions are stirred up by the dark forces at play but we are saved by grace thus we must wrangle ourselves to be light for those living in the darkness. Encourage one another!

    Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this salvation for us because we know we don't deserve it but you love us anyways. We stand on your Word of truth amongst the lies of the enemy. Help us keep our eyes on you and help us control our anger at evil deeds. Lord, we want to be your light and we ask you help our minds not be deceived or blinded. In Jesus name, amen