Head: Know God's Word | Heart: Love God | Hands: Follow God's Way

Read Acts 7

Head

In the 7th chapter of Acts, the early church’s trouble with the religious leadership intensifies. False accusations are made against Stephen, a young leader among the believers. Stephen answers the accusations with grace, truth, and boldness, and the leadership responds in anger. Stephen is stoned to death, and a new season begins for the early church - a season of persecution.

Heart

Life is full of different seasons. Some seasons are full of joy and wonder and “enjoying the favor of all the people” like the early church did in the first few chapters of Acts. Some seasons are full of sorrow and pain, like the unjust death of Stephen and the subsequent persecution. Our comfort in these seasons goes back to Monday’s reading in Matthew 28. Jesus tells us that He is always with us, and this can give us comfort and courage when the tide turns against us. I’m so thankful that Jesus is with us always and that He will take the dark times and use them for His good and beautiful purposes.

Hands

What kind of season is your family in right now? Whether light or dark, take time to thank God and ask Him to use this season for His good and beautiful purposes.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You that You are with us always to the end of the age. Thank You for being with us when life is full of joy and wonder and when it is dark and difficult. Please give us the peace and strength we need every day and use every season for good. Amen.