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Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 6 2025 | Acts 8:4-8 KEY VERSE: “ ⁶ When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. ⁷ With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. ⁸ So there was great joy in that city.” Acts 8:6-8 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   You might have heard about the plastics company Duraplast, which specialises in PVC pipes and water tanks; the catch-phrase in their advert says, WHERE DURAPLAST GOES WATER FLOWS! When we read about the Lord Jesus Christ and the Gospel message and look at the experience of many who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Saviour and live under His kingship, we can identify with the Duraplast advert line and truly say WHERE JESUS GOES, JOY FLOWS!!   The Ethiopian Eunuch, after believing in Jesus Christ as his Saviour and being baptised by Philip, went on his way back to Africa filled with joy (Acts 8:39). Our text today shows how the arrival of the Gospel in Samaria and its environs brought a manifestation of the delivering grace of God. There were observable and undeniable interventions of God in the ordinary lives of the people; miracles were performed at the hands of Philip, and demons were smoked out of their hiding place in the recesses of the lives of troubled and burdened souls. Physical healings of the paralyzed and the crippled were performed, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The result was that “... there was great joy in that city.”   So, we can also testify that when we accepted Jesus Christ as our dying Saviour and resurrected reigning Master, His Holy Spirit was poured forth into our hearts, producing His love, peace, and joy. For us, indeed, when Jesus came, real life and joy flowed! FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Have you been born again through faith in Jesus Christ? Let the joy and peace that comes with our true conversion be activated in your life, consciously, despite the encircling gloom of life’s realities. PRAYER: O Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for coming from Heaven to earth to show us the Father, to restore us to membership in the family of God, and to assure us of a place in Heaven after this life. But thank you also that even in this life, personal faith in you yields uncountable physical, emotional, spiritual and material blessings. Please help me to experience joy in a world that seeks to snuff out the light of my soul, and please make me an agent of your joy. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 126:   Judges 11 - Jephthah’s Vow and Victory DAILY word study: GREAT JOY The Greek phrase translated as “great joy” in Acts 8:8 is chara megalē, where chara means inner gladness or delight and megalē emphasises its abundance. Together, they describe joy that overflows deeply and visibly. It's deep, communal, Spirit-stirred joy that spills over. Reflection This joy wasn’t tied to wealth or success. It followed healing, freedom, and the presence of Christ. Real joy enters where Jesus is preached and hearts are opened.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 5 2025 | Acts 8:1-4 KEY VERSE: “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” Acts 8:4 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   Our perpetual Christian duty is to share the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ to non-believers so they will come to believe and be saved. Sometimes we fail to attend to this duty, but this neglect of duty can get worse when we think we have reasons to disregard our assignment. Personal pain or loss, fear of rejection, victimisation or persecution may serve as excuses for not sharing this most precious truth where we find ourselves and in the opportunities God gives us.   Not so the early Christians. Having seen the killing of one of their members because of the same beliefs they held, having come under persecution from their fellow countrymen, and now refugees in other places, did they not have enough reason to have been silent about the saving grace of God through the only Way, Jesus Christ? Rather, “ Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went .” Praise the Lord for such obstinacy in celebrating their salvation and a commitment to the Master.   FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Do you find yourself in situations that make you think you should cover up your Christian commitment and identity or refuse to share the Gospel? Reflect on the attitude of the early Christians and rekindle your commitment to Christ and His Gospel. PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you did not make excuses when you left your throne to come and die for me and humanity. Please forgive me for the times I find excuses to refuse to obey your command to make disciples of all nations. Help me to do better from this point forward. For your dear Name’s sake,   Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 125:   Judges 10 - Tola and Jair; Israel’s Rebellion Again DAILY word study: PREACHED The Greek word translated as “preached” in Acts 8:4 is εὐαγγελιζόμενοι   (euangelizomenoi) , from euangelizō. The verb euangelizō means “to bring good news” or “to announce glad tidings.” It is where we get the word “evangelise.” In biblical use, it refers specifically to proclaiming the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The word emphasises not just formal preaching but intentional sharing of the gospel. These scattered believers weren’t standing in pulpits. They simply told the good news wherever they went. Reflection The power of the gospel isn’t confined to peaceful times. It shines even brighter in moments of hardship. When you move, let the message move with you.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 4 2025 | Acts 8:1-3 KEY VERSE: “But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.” Acts 8:3 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   What are you mentioned for, or what comes to the mind of people when your name is mentioned, or thoughts of you flash through? Saul was mentioned at the opening of Acts 8 as being present at and giving approval for the murder of holy Stephen. In verse 3, we see Saul as the moving force in the efforts at the persecution and destruction of the Church. Saul provided a theological reflection and an argument why the Church was evil and needed to be destroyed. He provided physical commitment to the agenda and led the search from house to house to ensure the removal of the Church from the Jewish community.   Saul carried the backing of the religious and political authorities to warrant the arrest and detention of the Christians in Jerusalem. Saul, what a man. That was Saul, but what about us today? Are we agents of the undoing of the Church? When our behaviour is inconsistent with the expectations of Christians, even unbelievers realise that we destroy the image of the Church in their minds. When our comportment at home and in the Church undermines Christian principles, we destroy the faith of our fellow believers who share the faith life with us.   FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Are you building God’s Church, or are you destroying God’s Church? Do not be a Saul! PRAYER: Dear Lord, I ask for forgiveness for any attitude, behaviour or character that destroys your purposes in my life, in the lives of others and the unity and growth of your Church. Please help all believers to be agents of building your Church. For your dear Name’s sake,   Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 124:   Judges 9 - Abimelek’s Rise and Fall DAILY word study: DESTROY The Greek word translated as “destroy” in Acts 8:3 is λυμαίνετο (lumaineto) , from λυμαίνομαι (lumainomai). The verb lumainomai means to injure, ruin, or cause severe harm. It’s used to describe brutal physical and moral damage. In ancient Greek texts, it often connoted ravaging or spoiling something sacred. This is not passive hostility. Saul’s actions were intentional and aggressive — going house to house, arresting believers, and violently disrupting the early Church. The word paints a picture of someone driven by conviction but misled in purpose. Reflection Destruction isn’t always physical. A harsh word, a cold attitude, or a careless life can slowly dismantle what others are building. What are you known for — healing or harming?

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 3 2025 | Acts 8:1-2 KEY VERSE: “Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.” Acts 8:2 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   The Christian faith teaches that those who die in Christ rest from their labours, behold their Lord’s face, and sleep in His presence. Christians are to mourn for their dead as a people who have hope in their future glorious resurrection, in which we shall be reunited with them. All these beliefs and convictions notwithstanding, we feel a deep loss when our godly loved ones depart this earthly life.  Christian faith does not take away the Christian responsibility to mourn our dead brothers and sisters.   The Early Church mourned the death of Stephen. We are not given the details of the expenses that went into the funeral, nor the ceremonies that attended it. But we can be sure that the memory of Stephen’s powerful preaching, teaching and miraculous ministry was celebrated. We can be sure that the Church thanked God for a life well-lived, though maybe short. The love Stephen showed to the members of the Church, and the sign of true conversion that he represented, would all have come into the fore in his funeral.   We will mourn the godly dead and remember to live so that when we depart this world, people will not find it difficult to mourn us.   FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: You will not die now, but will people have a valid reason to mourn when you are departed? Will people truly feel a sense of loss if you are no longer to serve in your current job or your current location? Will people miss you as their boss or as their subordinate? PRAYER: Lord, thank you for a man like Stephen, whose death provoked deep mourning among your people. Lord, please help me live to be loved and deeply mourned in death, to your glory. For your dear Name’s sake,   Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 123:   Judges 8 - Gideon’s Final Victory and Death DAILY word study: MOURNED The word translated “mourned” in Acts 8:2 is the Greek koptomai, from koptō, meaning to strike or beat. It referred to the visible, emotional grief of tearing clothes or beating the chest — not quiet sadness, but deep, public sorrow. In Acts 8:2, “Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. "This phrase doesn’t describe quiet sadness. It reflects a sacred lament—a grief that moved through the community with deep reverence for Stephen’s life and witness. The Church didn’t suppress sorrow—they embraced it. Mourning became a way to honour the life and testimony of one who had faithfully served Christ to the end. Reflection: True mourning says: “We saw Christ in you — and we feel your absence now.” Let your life today carry the kind of meaning that draws genuine tears tomorrow, not just because you died, but because of how you lived

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 2 2025 | Acts 8:1 KEY VERSE: “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.” Acts 8:1 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   It has been said that when a ship is in crisis, the passengers on board are ferried away, starting from the old and sickly, women and children, all civilians, then the rest of the crew. The last to get off the ship is the captain. Leadership demands that we take the blows and face up to danger. The Apostles in Jerusalem demonstrated a sterling example in the great persecution that broke out in the city on the day Stephen was killed for His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.   When we lead others, we must understand that we are responsible for the comfort and safety of our followers, rather than being privileged to prioritise our own protection. When bad times come and opposition rises, the godly leader must stand tall and prioritise the safety and well-being of others in the group before attending to their own needs.   We are all leaders in different situations at different times, and we must commit to taking the leadership-related pains when the group, whether it be a family, a ministry, a community, or even a nation, comes under attack. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Reflect on the ways you are a leader. Determine to stay when others must leave. Ask God to help you. PRAYER: Lord, it is easy to sneak away when the team I lead is under pressure. Please help me see how, when, and where I am a leader. Lord, help me be like you and the early Apostles in providing leadership in times of crisis. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 122:   Judges 7 — Gideon Defeats Midian DAILY word study: EXCEPT This small word πλὴν  ( plēn ) means “except” or “apart from.” In Acts 8:1, it draws attention to the apostles who stayed behind while others fled. It isolates their action, not by accident, but by choice. They remained when everyone else scattered. This one word highlights a pattern: in biblical leadership, staying behind isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a sign of responsibility. God marks the difference between reacting in fear and remaining in place to serve. Reflection This word quietly marks those who stayed. True leadership often speaks by standing still. God sees those who remain with purpose.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 1 2025 | Acts 8:1 KEY VERSE: “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.” Acts 8:1 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   Our Lord Jesus Christ did not mince words about the fact that His disciples would be persecuted, that they would be subjected to hostile and ill-treatment because of their faith in Him, and their walk with Him. He was very clear in Matt 5:11 (NIV), "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” The Early Church faced persecution. It is noteworthy that on the day that Stephen was killed for his faith in Jerusalem,  “ a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. (Acts 8:1). The Apostle Paul wrote about his own experiences of suffering for Christ in 2 Tim 3:10-13 (NIV) “ ¹⁰You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings — what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,  13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. Persecution is part of the Christian package. Remember, don’t expose yourself to unnecessary suffering, but don’t try to save your skin from necessary suffering for Christ; it is part of our heavenly calling in Christ.   FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Are you facing ill-treatment from unbelievers, or even from some who call themselves Christians, because of your commitment to Christ and your walk with Him? Don’t worry, it is part of the package. The Lord will see you through it all. PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, please help me withstand persecution. I pray for Christians suffering because of their faith in various parts of the world. Please strengthen their faith and calm the fires of persecution. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 121: Judges 6 — The Call of Gideon DAILY word study : PERSECUTION The word persecution  comes from the Greek διωγμὸς  ( diōgmos ), rooted in the verb διώκω  ( diōkō ), which means to pursue, chase, or harass . In Acts 8:1, διωγμὸς μέγας  refers to a great and hostile pursuit of believers. It implies intentional pressure to silence or scatter, not accidental suffering. The word is often used to describe the suffering directly caused by faithfulness to Christ (e.g., 2 Timothy 3:12). In this passage, persecution becomes the divine means to spread the gospel beyond Jerusalem. Reflection: Are you facing pressure for standing with Jesus? You’re not outside God’s plan — you may be right in the centre of it.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | April 30 2025 | Acts 8:1 KEY VERSE: “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.” Acts 8:1 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   The day on which Stephen was killed marked the beginning of the persecution which scattered the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ from Jerusalem throughout Judea and Samaria. It was “that day.”   That day was as ordinary as any other day; the day might have started and moved along as usual. Stephen must have felt he grace and power of God upon his life as in earlier days, and wondrous works of God’s intervention would have worked miracles among the people at his hands. Stephen would have engaged the Jewish people who sought to understand or had on other days engaged him in debating the Messiahship of the man Jesus of Nazareth. That day, the exchange of opinions with the Jewish people would result in the death of the first martyr and the scattering of the church in Jerusalem.   We are never certain what each day holds for us. In the schemes of our loving heavenly Father, every day may hold new dimensions of reality which can mark the beginning of a new direction. We are looking forward to the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ, and any day could be that day.   FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: The uncertainties of what each day will bring should make us live a life committed into the hands of the One who knows all things and has all power, with our best interest at heart.  Are you prepared to yield your destiny into the hands of God? Do you value each day and see it as a possible turning point in your story? Begin to count the days and to trust God for His gracious hands upon your life.. PRAYER: Dear God in Heaven, I know I am limited in what awaits me at every twist and turn. I come to you, yielding totally, and believing you to order my steps. Have your way, and let your will be done. In Jesus’ dear Name I pray,   Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 130:   Judges 5 - The Song of Deborah DAILY word study: THAT DAY In Act 8:1, the Greek phrase En ekeinē tē hēmera (ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ) is translated as “on that day” The phrase marks a specific moment, historically real and spiritually charged. In the Bible, “that day” often signifies a transition, judgment, or divine intervention. In Acts 8:1, it marks the beginning of widespread persecution—and God’s way of scattering the seed of the Gospel. Reflection: God does not waste any day. What feels disruptive may be the beginning of something new in His redemptive plan.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | April 29 2025 | Acts 8:1 KEY VERSE: “And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.” Acts 8:1 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   The killing of the first of the early disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, Stephen, was a game-changer for the Early Church. The followers of the Way (the Christians were referred to as such) had faced verbal threats and had seen vicious anger from those who held to the traditional Jewish religion and thought the followers of the Lord Jesus were wrong. But when Stephen was falsely accused, dragged before the Council of Elders, interrogated, misjudged and condemned to death by stoning, the rest of the believers in Jesus Christ were given a rude awakening.   All the above was done in the presence of and with the support of a man who needed to be identified, Saul. Dr. Luke takes the time to single out Saul, stating that he was present and gave approval for the death of Stephen. Saul, as he would later testify, was well advanced in the practice of the Jewish religion, Judaism, and, as it may seem, he had some authority within the religion. He was knowledgeable and a good speaker, and his religious and academic positions made his approval of the error of the people acceptable in their eyes. Where are you, and what are you doing there? What you have received from God in many ways places you in a position of influence, and we all influence other people in one way or another. Where we place ourselves and what we do when we find ourselves in the presence of right or wrong is important to how Heaven will remember us.   FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Where are you, and what are you doing there? Commit to standing for right and encouraging righteousness where you find yourself. PRAYER: Dear Lord, please help me watch where I place myself as I travel the rest of my journey. Wherever your grace will let me be, please help me to stand for right, and oppose wrongdoing. For your dear Name’s sake,   Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 119:   Judges 3-4 - Othniel, Ehud, and Deborah Lead Israel DAILY word study: APPROVAL The Greek word for APPROVAL is suneudokeō (συνευδοκέω), which means: “to consent fully, to take pleasure with, to express agreement.” It is formed from syn (“with”) and eudokeō (“to think well of”), emphasising active approval rather than silent bystanding. When Saul approved of Stephen’s death, he wasn’t just present; he participated with his consent. Approval often shapes outcomes more powerfully than loud words. Reflection: Approval defines influence. Every agreement, silent or spoken, builds something, either truth or error.

Rev. Tse Amable | April 28 2025 | Acts 7:57-60 KEY VERSE: “ When he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:60b (NIV)   MESSAGE:   One truth made abundantly clear in the scriptures is that the soul of a human being does not die. It only falls asleep to wake up on the day of resurrection – either the resurrection of the righteous or the resurrection of the unrighteous. The Bible tells in the book of Genesis that Elohim (the LORD God) formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and THE MAN BECAME A LIVING SOUL  (Genesis 2:7). The hymn writer put it “ a never-dying soul to save and fit it for the sky.”   Human beings die only in the natural sense. In the spiritual sense, they fall asleep.  When Jesus Christ heard about the death of Lazarus, he told his disciples “ OUR FRIEND LAZARUS HAS FALLEN ASLEEP ; BUT I AM GOING THERE TO WAKE HIM UP ” (John 11:11). We know Jesus Christ woke Lazarus up but he died again later and remains dead waiting for the day of rapture or the resurrection. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Apostle Paul wrote, “ Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about THOSE WHO FALL ASLEEP , or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope ”. He was referring to believers in Jesus Christ who had died,  but he wrote they had fallen asleep. Dying is like falling asleep. When we fall asleep at night, we wake up in the morning. The blessed hope of the resurrection takes away the fear of death.   You are a never-dying soul . At God's appointed time, you will fall asleep through death and wake up on the resurrection morning. The Apostle’s Creed states that Jesus Christ will come again “ to judge the living and the dead ”. Every soul asleep through death shall wake up to appear before the judgment throne of Jesus Christ.   FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: On which side of the divine divide will you wake up? Will you wake up in heaven or in hell? Everyone who has gone ahead of us to the other world is only asleep. One day, they will wake up from their sleep to enjoy eternal life or suffer everlasting damnation. CHOOSE WHERE YOU ARE GOING NOW!. PRAYER: Father, I thank you that you created me a living soul, and because I believe in Jesus Christ, I have eternal life and shall not perish. Empower me to be a faithful witness of Jesus Christ so that my unsaved family members and friends will also come into this saving knowledge to enable them to fall asleep by death in Christ. In Jesus Christ's name I pray. Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 118:   Judges 1-2 — Incomplete Conquest and the Pattern of Apostasy DAILY word study : ASLEEP In Acts 7:60, the Bible uses the Greek word koimaō (κοιμάω) to describe Stephen’s death. The word means "to fall asleep" or "to rest," drawn from a root that speaks of lying down peacefully. In biblical language, sleep is often used as a metaphor for death for the believer, not as a final end, but as a temporary rest before the resurrection. When Scripture says Stephen “fell asleep,” it reminds us that in Christ, death is not the last word. It is a resting place, held in God’s faithful hands, until the day He calls us to rise again. Reflection: In Christ, sleep is not loss. It is a promise held in His hands, a rest before the morning of eternal life.

Rev. Tse Amable | April 27 2025 | Acts 7:57-60 KEY VERSE: “Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep . ” Acts 7:60 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   Stephen emulated the example of his Master, Jesus Christ, in his life and death. Stephen embraced persecution, suffering and death just as Jesus Christ did. One good example we can also emulate from Stephen is what he did seconds before he transitioned out of this world to heaven: HE PRAYED FOR HIS ENEMIES – THE VERY PEOPLE WHO WERE STONING HIM TO DEATH . Jesus Christ did a similar thing when on the cross of Calvary, seconds before he also gave up the ghost, he prayed, “ Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do ” (Luke 23:34).   Praying for someone who has demonstrated in every way, both openly and secretly, to be your enemy or an adversary is not easy. Most of us would like to pray what some preachers call “ BACK TO THE SENDER ” prayers. We want to pray that our enemies suffer, die prematurely, are pursued by angels, etc. Instead of praying for our enemies to be blessed, we would rather rain curses on them. We find many such prayers in the Old Testament, particularly in the Psalms. But Jesus Christ taught us to do things differently. He said, “ Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven ” (Matthew 5:44-45). Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans: “ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good ” (Romans 12:14,21).   One way we can show the world that we are Christ-like is when we pray for our enemies, bless them and seek their prosperity and welfare.   FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: How do you react to harsh insults, harsh treatments and persecution by people you perceive as your enemies, especially when you are innocent? The natural person likes to take revenge and pay the enemy back in their own coin – pound for pound, boot for boot. But the follower of Jesus Christ must do what the Master did. Pray for your enemies and bless them. PRAYER: Father, I know it is not easy when people revile and persecute me when I have not done them any wrong. My old nature likes to respond with a curse for a curse. I pray that you will empower me through the Holy Spirit to leave vengeance in your hands and instead pray for my enemies and bless them. In Jesus Christ's name I pray. Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 117:   Joshua 24 — Covenant Renewed at Shechem DAILY word study : CRIED OUT The Greek word for "Cried out" in Acts 7:60 is krazō (κράζω), which means: “to cry out aloud, to shout urgently. The phrase is related to a strong, audible utterance of deep emotion or need. Stephen’s final prayer wasn’t whispered—it was cried out with force and clarity. His “crying out” didn’t reflect anger or fear; it carried intercession, pleading for forgiveness on behalf of those around him. Reflection: Sometimes our deepest prayers rise not from polished words, but from urgent, Spirit-filled cries. Stephen's final breath was a prayer for mercy.

Rev. Tse Amable | April 26 2025 | Acts 7:57-60 KEY VERSE: “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Acts 7:59 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   Death scares and frightens a lot of people. Some people fear death because they worry about the dying process itself. Others fear death because they worry about what will happen to them after they die; maybe they are afraid they will go to hell. The Psalmist boasted in Psalm 23:4 that though he walked through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, he would fear or dread no evil (Amplified). What gave him that confidence was the presence of the Lord.   Christians do not and should not fear death because Jesus Christ has conquered it and taken away the fatal sting out of it. The Bible says Jesus Christ took our humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15). For the Christian, death opens the gateway out of this wicked world into the land of fair delight, where there is no more death but life everlasting.   But it is necessary to commit your spirit into the hands of the Lord before you exit this world. Our Lord Jesus Christ also committed his spirit into the hands of the Father before dying on the cross of Calvary. One of his 7 last sayings on the cross was “ FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT ” (Luke 23:46). The sure way of committing your spirit into the hands of God is to receive Jesus Christ into your heart as your Lord and Saviour. After conversion, we retain a sense of a spirit committed to God as we pray always and commit our spirit into the hands of God, daily, especially before retiring to bed at night or before leaving the house for work, church, a journey, etc. Knowing that the Lord is able to guard what we have entrusted into his care against the day of judgment (2 Timothy 1:12), we can transition peacefully.   FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Do you seriously pray and commit your spirit into the hands of the Lord? It is necessary to always pray in this way so that your spirit will be preserved from the corruption in the world and be saved on the day of the Lord. PRAYER: Father, I thank you that Jesus Christ defeated death on my behalf and has taken away my fear of death. I pray that I will always commit my spirit to your hands, and at the point of my death, you will receive and welcome my spirit into heaven. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 116:   Joshua 23 - Joshua’s Farewell to the Leaders DAILY word study: RECEIVE The Greek word for "receive" in Acts 7:59 is δέχομαι (dechomai), which means: “to accept, to welcome, to receive willingly” The word suggests an open-armed, willing reception, not just taking something, but embracing it. When Stephen says, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” he uses a word that reflects an intimate surrender. He’s not casting his spirit away—he is placing it into Christ’s care, expecting to be welcomed. Reflection: This is the same word used when welcoming guests into one’s home. Imagine Jesus standing to receive, not reject. Stephen’s final words were an act of personal entrustment and divine expectation.

Rev. Tse Amable | April 25 2025 | Acts 7:54-56 KEY VERSE: “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55-56 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   In the preceding verses, Stephen spoke with boldness and courage, calling the Sanhedrin “stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears”. His words made the council very angry because Stephen’s message hit the target. They could not dismiss or ignore what he said. The Sanhedrin reacted with rage instead of submission to the Holy Spirit. They began grinding their teeth before Stephen finished his speech. All they could do in their frenzy was to gnash their teeth. It was not a sudden outburst, but rather a prolonged one.   In stark contrast to the council's behaviour, St. Luke noted that Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God.  What a difference! Stephen took his eyes off the huge stones about to be thrown at him. Instead, he shifted his focus to heaven, where he saw the Lord of glory, standing at the right hand of God. Stephen took his eyes off his troubles and focused on heaven. What he saw dulled the pains and encouraged him to hold on to the end. We are told that Jesus Christ was standing in Stephen’s vision, contrary to the more common description of Him sitting in heaven. The glorified Christ was standing in solidarity with Stephen at this moment of crisis. The fact that Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit shows the source of his courage, wisdom, and power in preaching.   FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: What would you do with your dying minutes with a gun pointed at your head or a cutlass ready to chop off your head?  Learn from Stephen’s example not to focus on the bad things you are going through, but on the good things the Lord has already done and the greater things he will do. Focus more on the positives and less on the negatives. PRAYER: Father, I pray that when I am going through persecution and storms of life, you will empower me to take my eyes off the troubles and fix my gaze upon you, ready to help me through. Give me visions of heaven to encourage me. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray. Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 115: Joshua 22 - Eastern Tribes Return and Build an Altar DAILY word study : LOOK In Acts 7:55, the Greek word translated “look” is atenizō (ἀτενίζω), which means “to gaze intently” or “to fix the eyes upon.” It is formed from the prefix a- (an intensifier) and tenizō, meaning “to stretch or strain the eyes,” conveying a deep, unwavering focus. Stephen didn’t merely glance toward heaven—he strained to see, locking his attention fully on the glory of God. His vision wasn’t casual; it was Spirit-directed and rooted in supernatural clarity. Reflection: Where your eyes settle, your heart follows. If you keep looking at the stones, fear will rise. If you look to heaven, faith will. Stephen looked up and saw glory.