DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY
Daily Manna devotional by Pastor Kumuyi of the Deeper Christain Life Ministry for today is here. Digest the word of the lord and pray believing
TOPIC OF DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR MONDAY 15TH JULY IS LOOK UP TO HEAVEN
BIBLE TEXT: Acts 7:54-60
54. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.55. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,56. And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.57. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,58. And cast him out of the city, and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.59. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.60. 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.
KEY VERSE: Acts 7:55
“But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God”
DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY
It is better to incur the world’s hatred by testifying against its wickedness than gain its goodwill by going down the stream with it. Stephen’s life and martyrdom are worthy proofs of that great worth. Identification with God is better than friendship with the world. No one ever looked up to God and gets defeated, even in the toughest of all situations.
Stephen testified boldly of Christ before the Sanhedrin, condemning their crucifixion of Him Whom God approved. This led to his becoming the first martyr of the Christian Church. Here was an instance of the outrage and fury of the persecutors and of the courage and comfort of the persecuted. Here was hell in its fire and darkness, and heaven in its light and brightness.
Stephen knew there was no comfort in the Jewish council, nor any prospect of justice at their hand. So, he set his eyes intently on heaven and sought justification there. When they were cut to the heart and gnashed upon him with their teeth, he had a view of the glory of Christ sufficient to fill him with joy unspeakable. The heavens were opened to give him a view of the happiness ahead.
When dangers threaten us, when men threaten us, we should learn to fix our eyes on heaven’s glory. Stephen ignored his persecutors’ malice and cruelty; rather, he looked up to heaven for joy and divine assurance. Instead of looking about him, for a way of escape, he looked up to heaven for help. We may also see the glory of God during life’s challenges if we manifest such a right attitude. Such revelation as Stephen had will carry us through sufferings and death.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The more our gaze on heaven, the less our pain on earth.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 9-11
DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL was shared via www.thedevotionals.com.ng
