Sonshine's Journal

Both Stephen and Philip were knowledgeable about the scriptures. They not only knew them but could recall verses that would prick the hearts of those in attendance. Endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit they quoted scriptures that would convict the hearts of those who were listening. Can we do the same?

Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin and reviewed the stories of the OT and the result of others hearing the truth but when he spoke of the Chri , they refused to listen anymore. In that arena their anger rose to rage and in that moment, Stephen saw the heavens open and Jesus standing there. When Christ is proclaimed are you prepared to teach the unbeliever the truths of Jesus? It may be that you will pass from this scene by the murderous hands of the unbelievers but Jesus is waiting to take you into His presence in heaven.

Then there is Philip whose heart and ears were open to the Spirit who then prepared him to teach the Ethiopian Eunuch about salvation. Are we prepared like Philip? Can we explain the prophet’s words? 

Leave a comment to tell me where you are today in your spiritual walk. 

The religious leaders were flummoxed at what to do with these men for a man who had been disabled was now standing before them healed. But, instead of giving God glory they conferred with one another and came up with the plan to silence them. 

For “when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and discovered that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized these men had been with Jesus” 

Do people recognize that I have been with Jesus? What would others see about me that would cause them to come to this conclusion? 

Something to think about today.

As we read this account written by Dr Luke, we are awestruck with the power of God to be used as an instrument of the gospel but it is also the gift that God used to transform an unbeliever into a believer. Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for this gift. He didn’t tell them when or how or why but only they were to wait and when it took place, the entire city gathered to hear what was being said. Then Peter took advantage of this time to proclaim the Word of God to these who were mocking while others were listening with rapt attention. Peter’s words were not rehearsed nor written ahead of time. God empowered Peter with His words to proclaim the truth about Jesus and hearts were pricked. This was truly a gift of the Holy Spirit. 

When you read this account, what does the Holy Spirit do to your heart? Is it pricked by His power of conviction or do you mock as these of long ago? If it is conviction, do you then ask God: what shall I do? The answer is repent of your sins and let the Holy Spirit take up residence in your life to guide you and to teach you the all things that Jesus taught. 

Jesus died and was in the tomb for 3 days but on the 3rd day he arose from the dead. Do you believe this or are you like the religious leaders and Thomas? Do you have to have concrete evidence before you accept the resurrection?  

God patiently allowed the disciples, the religious leaders and others to see him in his resurrected body. Some believed but others mocked and it is the same today. Why is this so? It is because of what Paul wrote to the Corinthians. “The god of this world has blinded the mind so that one cannot see the glorious image of the resurrected Christ.” [2Cor 4:4] 

Beware of the lies of the enemy who seeks to destroy this truth and you are left wandering in the desert of unbelief. The Holy Spirit is ready and wiling to open your eyes so you can see and believe. Will you allow Him that privilege? 

Betrayal and Arrest

Both the Apostle John and Dr. Luke recorded the last night of the life of Jesus the Nazarene. As this night unfolded we see the hatred of Caiaphas and the other priests of Israel. How can that be but when the spirit of hatred enters a man, he can and will do that which is evil. So it happened that night long ago when Christ stood before Pilate and the Jewish leaders only to hear, Crucify Him and we have no king but Caesar. What happened then is happening again today. The world is repeating this: we have no king but Mohammed. His record stands of all that is evil in this world and is preparing the world to reject Christ again. 

How do you respond to this? Do you say like Jesus, forgive them Father for they know not what they do or do you join with the world to say Crucify Him? 

John captures the last time Jesus was with the disciples. In that time, He prepared them for the time ahead when the truth of what hate really is and what love really is. Today we see the arm of hatred around the world. They kill those who believe in Christ thinking they are favored by God but in reality they are servants of the most evil one that the world has ever seen and is even seeing today. In the midst of this Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come to them to reveal Himself to them and they will not be sad but rejoice. This is what we call a conundrum, [confusing and difficult problem or question] Or a thought so strange we cannot understand it. If not for the Holy Spirit we would still be in that state but He has come to indwell us so we know the Truth, the Way and the Life. 

Do not be concerned about hatred of the world, but rejoice in the gift of the Holy Spirit who will bring to our minds all that Jesus taught so we may know what true love is. 

On the night of the Passover, Jesus demonstrated the visual and important image of what true humility is. He took off his garment and proceeded to wash the disciples feet one by one. All submitted until He came to Peter who rebuked Jesus.You will never wash my feet said Peter. Jesus reminded Peter that if not washed, then you have no part in Me. What does this mean to us today? Not long ago we attended a church in which this was a practice and I submitted. It was indeed a humbling experience that reminded me that I am a part of the Body of Christ. As He washed the disciples feet, my feet were washed by the elders of that congregation. 

Have your feet been washed by the Savior? If so, then you are all clean. It is a sign of humility and service and that you are a part of Christ’s body. 

What does it take to convict? The OT clearly says it must be by two witnesses but here we see the false witnesses seek to deny Christ is the Son of God. Over and over the witnesses are brought before the Council and yet not one of them agrees with another. Finally after many are brought forth, the High Priest asks Jesus to affirm He is the Son of God and He agrees. This is the first time Jesus openly tells them that not only is He who He said He was but one day they will see Him and they will be astonished. How many times does the witness need to affirm that He is who He said He was? The religious leaders want a scapegoat and not a Savior. Even Pilate later will affirm that it is because of envy they have brought Jesus to him. 

If Jesus were to stand before you how would you answer? Is He the Son of God or a false prophet? The evidence speaks for itself. Bow the knee now or forever you will see Him coming on the clouds and you will be left behind. What say you? 

One does not start on a journey without being prepared and that includes provisions, and calendar dates. Jesus’ parable about the virgins and the talents gives us a view of what He means about being prepared. The ten virgins waited for the Bridegroom to arrive. Five were foolish in that they did not prepare by having enough oil to keep their lamps burning.The wise ones had enough oil so when the Bridegroom arrived they could replenish their lamps. As you read this parable, stop and ask yourself if you are prepared to meet the Bridegroom who is Jesus Christ. 

The next parable about the talents is similar in presenting the truth that one must be prepared to meet the Master. Again, the recipients were given talents and told to prepare but of the three, two were wise and the third was foolish. 

In the first parable Jesus announced that He never knew the foolish virgins and in the second parable, Jesus announced that the one who did not invest his talent was cast out for He called him wicked.

There is much to be gleaned from these two parables about being wise or foolish; about being prepared and not prepared. Where are you in these stories? Are you prepared to meet Jesus? Are you using the oil or the talents for His kingdom? 

While the disciples were enamored by the beauty of the temple, Jesus reminded them that a day would come when its beauty would no longer be there. Many many years ago Poole wrote these words: “We may also observe how little God values splendid houses of prayer when they are made dens of thieves.” Jesus had taken the religious leaders to task on that very point. Instead of being purified and their hearts changed, they took and did not minister to the people over whom they had charge. They came to drop in their many coins which did little because their hearts were not in it as it was with the widow who dropped her two precious coins which was all she had. Jesus told the disciples she would be honored but the religious leaders would not for they gave out of their abundance but she out of her poverty.  There is a warning there for us as well. When we drop our coins are they as the widows or the religious leaders?