Today’s reading: Acts 7:56-60

In Acts 7:56-60, Stephen is unjustly stoned for proclaiming Christ. Yet even in his final moments on earth, his actions and words glorify God.

Today as I read this passage, I tried to visualize this scenario of Stephen literally being beaten to death with stones. It wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was pretty awful. What a brutal, slow and painful way for Stephen to die. Yet as his life is draining from him, he continues to boldly proclaim Christ and demonstrate God’s love by asking God to forgive the very people who are executing him.

“And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (vs. 60).

What did God impress on your heart about forgiveness through this passage? What does Stephen’s example of forgiving his executioners reveal about our need to forgive? Tami

Source: Tami’s Blog