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In more than three decades of my Christian life, I have been blest by 2 types of Daily devos'
(matter not exceeding 500 words) in universal Christian literature. Not only those Devos'
which have a different theme everyday but also the ones which revolve around a certain
theme over a period of time, say a fortnight, have richly edified me. In fact, both
styles have their own inherent advantages. If the former style caters to the varying
spiritual needs of a christian from day-to-day, the latter aims 'to ground'
a child of God in a certain subject in order he derives the full benefits of the
deep insightful study of a certain topic, spread over a fixed span of time.
In my Daily devo page, I have consciously tried to go in for 'a blend of both the
styles' whereby within a constant theme, I would be aiming to focus on different
facets of it which admittedly is a closer imitation of the 'Constant theme' style
than the 'Varying topics' one.
Having dwelt on the topics
- “The Christian journey”
- “ The Conquest of Canaan” and the
- “Lent season”.
in the previous months, now in the months of April and May, considering that
post resurrection of Christ (one of our concluding themes’ you would remember
in the meditations of March, was Resurrection), birth of the Church was a
landmark event in Biblical history, I want to cast the spotlight on the Book of
Acts (which records the birth and growth of the Church). This would ensure to a large
extent continuity of thought albeit under the ambit of new subject.
Once again, let me wish you a happy and an edifying read…
Suresh Manoharan
April 27th
First Martyr
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
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When the World of darkness is being shaken, can persecution be far away? When sheep (sinners)
caught in lion’s mouth (Satan’s grip) is forcibly pulled-out by the brave shepherd, would not
denied lion turn its attention upon the courageous rescuer
(I Sam 17:35)?
Yes, it would! Stephen,
who was in his Master’s mission of saving souls’ from the devil’s grip, gave his all, whilst being at it!
Reflecting on Church’s First Martyr’s poise, one cannot but be impressed by the certainty in Stephen’s
dying words of stepping into the Heavenly portals, which would have made an impression on any neutral onlooker.
It seemed at that moment facing his ruthless killers’ that the Church’s first martyr was gazing into the
very face of His Master. Oh how true, the one who looks into the Saviour’s face, can bravely look into the face
of death itself, for death holds no terror to him. For a Christian martyr, death is not the master,
which shoves him into the hellfire, rather it is a humble servant ushering Him into the Master’s presence!
Every mature believer had throughout the Church age imbibed the fact that one is ready to live for Christ,
only when he/she is ready to die for Him! Hence the glorious dying declaration of a contemporary Christian
martyr- Jim Elliot- full of creative insight also comes as no surprise “He is no fool, of who gives up what
he cannot keep (physical life), to gain what he cannot lose (Eternal life)”.
Prayer:
Father, armoured by the Blessed hope that the moment, we leave our earthly bodies, we would be in Your
joyous presence, we push forward in the mission, You have given to us. Even in death, give us the joy of
serving Thee. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.
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