The death He died, He died to sin once for all, but the life He lives, He lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:10-11.

But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21:36.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV.

This morning in our Zoom Retreat, we experienced Safe Place Prayer where we are led to be still, take deep breaths, and clear our minds for the intention and purpose of giving ourselves to Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. To relax into what He gives as we are open to Him. Sometimes we experience images, memories, insights. Sometimes we sense His presence with us. I found myself walking on a dirt road looking down as I walked with Him. And memories from childhood I hadn’t thought of in many years came. Also, as I remembered things I wasn’t proud of, I saw the dirt road again gently bringing me back to Him. After our Zoom meeting, in prayer with Him, wanting again to apologize for sins I have done, He reminded me He died for me – now live with Him forgiven and stay on our path we have been on together.

And reading our chapter, Acts 6, I want to read it with Him. Can we look to Him as we read and live our lives? Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. v. 1. The notation below said Hellenistic referred to Jews who adopted the Greek language and much of Greek culture. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. v. 2-9. I googled the Synagogue of the Freedmen, and it said it was a gathering place in Jerusalem for former slaves who had gained their freedom. Think of all the people from around the world in Jerusalem that are being able to come together to worship God as God is leading. But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against the holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and altar the customs which Moses handed down to us.” And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel. v. 10-15.

Does that sound familiar today? Jealousy, false witnesses, resisting changes that God is bringing forth. We who are alive today cannot imagine the depth of changes coming forward as the Holy Spirit led the early formation of the church that becomes the body of Christ here in a broken world. His followers as we live our lives trusting Him. The death He died, He died to sin…once for all…and the life He lives, He lives to God. In the same way…count yourselves dead to sin…but alive to God in Christ Jesus. He died for us. Can we live forgiven and forgiving as we trust Him? Jesus, the Son, Creator God, showed us the way and it is with God with us. I want to stay on our path that He is walking with me.