Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 9 2025 | Acts 8:18-19 KEY VERSE: “¹⁸ When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money ¹⁹ and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:18-19 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   Money is good, I can tell you that, and you know it well; but money is not everything. Money is a tool that God gives us to do His will while here on earth. Money is a good servant but a very bad master, especially when it is used to bully systems, buy people, and attempt to bribe God. We have been informed that Simon the Sorcerer believed in the preaching of Philip and was baptised. So far, so good. However, Simon needed to change his thinking about the spirituality of Christianity, which was against the spirituality of his life before conversion. In his pre-Christian experience, he was the showman; he knew how certain spirits operated and what rites, rituals and steps could get them to tantalise the minds and spirits of the people around Samaria. People would pay him to bring about certain realities for them, and maybe when he thought he needed more power, he could go to other magicians and buy additional powers.   With this mindset, Simon, when he saw the divine operation in the impartation of the Holy Spirit through the specially God-arranged laying on of the hands of the Apostles Peter and John, offered money to buy the power to also lay hands on people so that they could receive the outpouring of the Spirit. Simon made mistakes. He thought money could buy God and the gifts of God. He wrongly thought that the Apostles were the possessors and willful dispensers of the power to make the Spirit happen.   FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Be sober and regulated in your moves around God. You cannot buy God, bribe God, or bamboozle God. Approach spirituality with a true knowledge of the Bible and in humility. PRAYER: Dear God in Heaven, how foolish I am to think that I own you and can manipulate you. Please give me a proper understanding of your gracious permission for my participation in your grace, and please steer me from making a mess around you. For your dear Name’s sake,   Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 129:   Judges 14 - Samson’s Marriage and Revenge DAILY word study: GIVE ME The Greek phrase for “give me” in Acts 8:19 is δώτε καὶ ἐμοί (dote kai emoi) — from the verb δίδωμι (didōmi), meaning to give, to offer, to grant. The request may sound simple, but it carries a misunderstanding. Simon didn’t ask with humility—he tried to transact with God. The words show a command tone, as if spiritual gifts could be exchanged like goods. It reflected his old worldview, not the new life of faith. True faith abandons transactions and opens itself fully to grace. Reflection: Examine yourself to ensure you aren’t bargaining or bidding for what God gives freely by grace.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 8 2025 | Acts 8:14-18 KEY VERSE: “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.” Acts 8:14 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   Humans have created and continue to create barriers among themselves, barriers of tribe, race, class, education, etc. The biblical distinction between Jew and Gentile had been taken away from the divine purpose of identifying Israel and using the nation as the cradle for the manifestation of Messiah, for the benefit of the whole of humanity (Gen. 12:3). The Jewish mindset had set their humanity above that of the Gentiles, and of the Samaritans who were a mixed race of Jews and Gentiles. This thinking needed to be dealt with by God so that the Gospel would become useful to the non-Jewish world. God had to break down the barriers of separation. It is noteworthy that  “ When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them .” The Apostles in Jerusalem were surprised when the Gospel took root among the despised Samaritans. As responsible custodians of the ministry left behind by the Master, the Apostles sent Peter and John to firm up the bond of the new family relationship created by the entrance of the Gospel. God wanted the Jewish Christians to realise that they were one with the non-Jewish believers, so God held back the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit should have happened at the moment of Samaritan conversion ( For we were all baptised by   one Spirit into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. - 1 Cor 12:13), but in this case God wanted the Jewish Christians to lay hands on the Samaritan believers, that way receiving them as fellow children of God, and breaking down the walls of separation.   FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Are there any walls of separation you are holding up between you and other humans, generally, especially in the context of the church? Is tribe, gender, education, or politics separating you from others? In Christ, you need to work at it with the help of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Let God help you bring down the walls. PRAYER: Lord, please forgive me for putting up and supporting the walls that separate. Let me not call unclean what you have cleansed. For your dear Name’s sake,   Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 128:   Judges 13 - The Birth of Samson DAILY word study: ACCEPTED The Greek word translated as “accepted” is δέχομαι (dechomai), which means to welcome, receive, or take in gladly. It reflects an active openness and readiness to embrace something. In this passage, dechomai describes how the Samaritans welcomed the Gospel — not casually, but with full commitment. This shows that acceptance involves more than hearing; it means embracing truth in a way that transforms life and community. Reflection When people welcome God’s word like this, walls of division start to crumble, and new unity takes root.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 7 2025 | Acts 8:9-13 KEY VERSE: “Simon himself believed and was baptised. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.” Acts 8:13 (NIV)   MESSAGE:   The material and immaterial world around us is packed with spiritual reality beyond what the eye can see.  This is as true as electromagnetic waves, television, and radio bands bombard us from every angle. But we need to engage these spirit forces to experience and benefit from them. Samaria and its environs, like anywhere on Earth today, were buzzing with spiritual reality, and the champion connection to this reality was a man called Simon. Simon engaged his magical knowledge and power (not the sleight of hand of entertainment magicians), but contact with real spirits the world calls gods (1 Cor. 8:5).   When the Gospel got into that city of Samaria, the power of the Gospel diminished the power of the magical system presented by Simon the Sorcerer. The darkness of the gods of Simon gave way to the light of the Lord Jesus Christ, and Simon believed (praise the Lord). Many people follow lifeless gods, systems, and powers. They need to encounter the power that surpasses all powers, and when that happens, they will turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and receive new motivation for life.   FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: What power controls your life, your thoughts, your actions? What are the forces that influence you and to whom you bow? Let your Lord be Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and bow to Him alone. Help other people to come to terms with the lordship of Jesus Christ. PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, I declare before Heaven and Earth that there is no other god but you alone. All other gods measure up to nothing in the light of your eternal majesty and power. Please help me live under your canopy and lead other people to you. For your dear Name’s sake,   Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 127:   Judges 12 - Jephthah’s Conflict with Ephraim; Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon DAILY word study : SIGNS The Greek word translated as “signs” is σημεῖα (sēmeia), which comes from sēma, meaning a mark or token. In the New Testament, sēmeia refers to acts that serve as visible evidence of divine power, pointing clearly to God’s work. These signs validated the gospel message and showed that true authority rested in Jesus, not in human skill or magic. In Samaria, the people saw a difference between empty wonders and authentic moves of God. Even Simon the Sorcerer recognised the greater power when faced with these undeniable signs. Reflection: Simon had power, but when real signs appeared, he followed the truth. People still respond to power—let your life carry the kind that points to Christ.

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.