When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus receive my spirit.”
Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he died.
*Context is Stephen being martyred for telling the truth in the face of opposition. Israel, the people whom God gave blessings and precious promises to rejected the witness of Jesus and killed Stephen.
*Application-Stephen forgave his executioners as he was being killed.
*Christian, are you able to forgive those who have wronged you?

Then Peter opened his mouth and said, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
“But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
“The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ-He is Lord of all.”
*Our God receives all who come to Him in reverent fear. His presence brings peace through a relationship with Him.

In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil. *Stuck in repeatedly doing things that harm you or cause you shame? *A healthy dose of Godly fear is in order. *The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. With this you may depart from evil. *Your Atonement is Jesus Christ who died on the cross for your sins. He will give you mercy and truth.

And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.
This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice. “Stand up straight on your feet!”
And he leaped and walked.
*May God give us faith as we have need of a healing touch from our Lord.

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
*Context-Jesus is in the garden of Gethsemane about to be arrested and soon to be crucified. He is warning Peter, James and John of the impending danger. To be alert and prayerful at this time! They were not!
*Application-Christian, a neglectful prayer life will lead us into temptation. We will not be alert to the wiles of the devil, and give into the lusts of the flesh. We will be powerless against the adversary whose sole purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy you and those who are close to you.
*We are responsible to pray with sincerity of heart, not compulsion, nor obligation, but in our heartfelt relationship with Jesus.
*Our own, and the lives of others will benefit greatly when we, “Watch and pray!”

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ for you.
*Christian, why do we complicate matters when we start out to seek the will of God?
*We often times resemble chickens running around with their heads chopped of going nowhere! Worrying if we’re doing it right, or judging each other in doing it wrong!
*Stop! Listen and act on what the Lord speaks to us here.
*Rejoice, pray, and give thanks!
Always, always and always! In so doing we are in the perfect will of God! Life goes much smoother this way for us and those who concern us!

“But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all or teach in the name of Jesus
But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
*Non believing people will oppose and threaten Christians to not speak of the things Jesus has done for them.
*Do not worry about their threats or what they say, but testify of the things that Christ has done for you! “Be bold, be strong, for the Lord your God is with you!”

-Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is to you and your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
*Sincerity in the presence of God brings true repentance. With salvation through Christ it is then natural to be baptized as a true outward expression of our inward condition. The result is the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit, who is God Himself, in us.
*Has God called you, and given you this promise?
*Do you feel this is not for you, or that you are unworthy?
* Jesus died for you and He is calling you today. Receive His gift, ask Christ to forgive you, and invite Him to be your Lord. His Holy Spirit will then lead you the rest of the way.
*Congratulations to those who just asked Christ to be their Lord.
Jesus now lives in you! He loves you and so do the rest of us! God bless you!

Matthew 19:13-15, Then the little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.
*Application-Parents, will you be bringing your children to church this Sunday that they may be touched by God and prayed for?
*When our son was 4, he said to us, “Mom, dad, what is church?”
We found a bible teaching church and took him to it, Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale. Little did we know that God would touch and change our lives as well.