Acts 6:8,15
Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
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In the Acts of the Apostles, the name of St. Stephen occurs for the first time on the occasion of the appointment of the first deacons. On the day of his death, the enemies of the Church of Jesus were furious to see how successful Stephen's preaching was.
They could not answer his wise argument, so they got men to lie about him, saying that he had spoken sinfully against God.
But St. Stephen faced that great assembly of enemies without fear. In fact, the Holy Bible says that his face looked like the face of an angel.
The praying martyr was thrown down; and while the witnesses were thrusting upon him "a stone as much as two men could carry", he was heard to utter this supreme prayer: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit".
Yes, hatred exists everywhere. It has always existed and it always will until the second coming of Messiah. That's the just the sad truth of the matter. It's a fact of life. However, hatred need not rule our lives nor must we react the same when it comes our way.
That is why we have the Holy Spirit, to help us through these trials and tribulations. We must remember Who we are, that we have the Spirit of God Himself living and breathing in us.
We are built to last. God will never put more on us than we can bear. Always remember, Christ’s suffering on our behalf is infinitely far greater than our suffering on His behalf will be.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, receive my spirit and do not hold this sin against those who hates me. We love you because You loved us first. Amen.
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
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