Acts 8:2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
Oh Friends, it is a day of Lamentation. A day for mankind to hold deh heads and bawl at the sad, grave sin of man’s atrocious inhumanity to his fellow man. And not by my choice, but by the Lord’s design. As I’ve noted before, sometimes when I go to bed He fills my mind and spirit with certain ideas that I eventually have to get up and write down, else I won’t be able to sleep. Yesterday morning was one such occasion. Chuh! But I’ve learned from hard experience not to sweat or fight it, just get up and write it down, else the thoughts and ideas just dawdle around in my brain and disturb my rest. And when I looked for a verse to suit my directives, I obviously found a suitable one, re the stoning of the apostle Stephen, under the direction of Bruh Paul, when he was still Saul of Tarsus, deadly foe of believers. Oh my people, if you’ve never read Stephen’s story, then please do so in Acts 7, cause it’s loaded with insights into scripture and the workings of our God. In his defence to the council of elders, Stephen begins from the time of Abraham and works his way right through to Jesus, accusing them of idolatry and murder. ‘Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before (foretold) of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition (direction) of angels, and have not kept it’ (Acts 7:52-53) Yes Friends, the Jewish people, like many of us, could not accept the truth, it made them furious; ‘they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.’ (Acts 7:54-56) This brings to mind Bruh Paul’s conversion, when he was struck down by a bright burst of light and he talked with Jesus. Unfortunately those words of Stephen was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The people couldn’t take it any longer, so ‘they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord. And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.’ (Acts 7:57-58) Ah mih breddren, Bruh Paul was a real monster in his early days. No wonder Jesus had to ask him: ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?’ (Acts 9:4) But Friends, fortunately for us, those early believers were made of sterner stuff than we of this soft, mollycoddled generation, else we would never have received the Word. ‘And they stoned Stephen, (as he was) calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.’ (Acts 7:59-60) My people, my people, how many of us could face such an awful death, with such peace and forgiveness eh, especially in these times of easy living? Not many. Oh Friends, it is indeed a day of Lamentation, for can anyone explain why there’s so much ‘sufferation’ in a world of so much plenty. Yes Friends, we can no longer call it mere suffering, it’s gotten too widespread and intense. Why everyday a new theatre of war opens, or a new natural disaster occurs, when the old wars have not ended, or the old disasters cleaned up? Why is our supposedly rich and prosperous world constantly besieged by financial troubles? Why when some inane celebrity’s Achilles heel is exposed, it makes the headlines and the world pounds them mercilessly? Why are our politicians so full of empty political rhetoric, substance less drivel, but no good intentions? Can someone tell me why in these supposed enlightened times women and children are still terribly abused? Why is there everlasting poverty, untold crime and violence, fear and doubt? Why do some brainwashed, uneducated fools blow themselves up, kill and main indiscriminately, but are considered martyrs? Why are our leaders more interested in greed and corruption rather than good governance of the people and their welfare? Why are warmongers and those who profit from death and destruction allowed to lobby and agitate to keep wars going? Why is gang violence escalating, and the use of the gun become so prevalent, especially amongst our youth? Why do drugs and drink play such a large part not only in our economy, but in our society as a whole? Why is immorality now ignored, even cheered on, while values and standards are daily falling, and we’re fast becoming a technologically superior, but otherwise dumb society? Why is the work ethic disappearing, along with jobs, homes and families? Yes mih people, it is a sure sad state of affairs; our world, so full of hate, anger, violence, oppression, suppression and senseless killing, when all the religions and their supposed gods for the most part preach Peace and LOVE. Why eh? Why? I certainly don’t know, and oftimes in my naivety, I have a hard time picturing it. But Friends, I guess the only place to find the answers to those many troubling questions is in heaven, at the footstool of the Most High God Jehovah since He’s running things. And I’ve asked Him. But He’s not answering, at least not those types of questions. It must be all a trial of our faith. He simply wants us to believe, trust and surrender our entire lives to Him. And besides doing our little bit to make our world a better place, there’s not much we can do as individuals. But together Friends, together as a group of strong, faithful and steadfast believers, we can surely make a difference, right some of the atrocious wrongs that are currently sabotaging our world. And while doing that, let’s try to say, like Stephen; ‘Lord, lay not this sin to their charge,’ in a true spirit of forgiveness. Oh Friends, there’s much to lament in our world, but there’s also much to give thanks and praise for. Let’s not forget the lamentable things, but for all our sakes, please concentrate on the good ones, and faithfully forge ahead, looking always to the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Much LOVE!…Father…forgive them…for they know not what they do…
Oh Friends, it is a day of Lamentation. A day for mankind to hold deh heads and bawl at the sad, grave sin of man’s atrocious inhumanity to his fellow man. And not by my choice, but by the Lord’s design. As I’ve noted before, sometimes when I go to bed He fills my mind and spirit with certain ideas that I eventually have to get up and write down, else I won’t be able to sleep. Yesterday morning was one such occasion. Chuh! But I’ve learned from hard experience not to sweat or fight it, just get up and write it down, else the thoughts and ideas just dawdle around in my brain and disturb my rest. And when I looked for a verse to suit my directives, I obviously found a suitable one, re the stoning of the apostle Stephen, under the direction of Bruh Paul, when he was still Saul of Tarsus, deadly foe of believers. Oh my people, if you’ve never read Stephen’s story, then please do so in Acts 7, cause it’s loaded with insights into scripture and the workings of our God. In his defence to the council of elders, Stephen begins from the time of Abraham and works his way right through to Jesus, accusing them of idolatry and murder. ‘Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before (foretold) of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition (direction) of angels, and have not kept it’ (Acts 7:52-53) Yes Friends, the Jewish people, like many of us, could not accept the truth, it made them furious; ‘they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.’ (Acts 7:54-56) This brings to mind Bruh Paul’s conversion, when he was struck down by a bright burst of light and he talked with Jesus. Unfortunately those words of Stephen was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The people couldn’t take it any longer, so ‘they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord. And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.’ (Acts 7:57-58) Ah mih breddren, Bruh Paul was a real monster in his early days. No wonder Jesus had to ask him: ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?’ (Acts 9:4) But Friends, fortunately for us, those early believers were made of sterner stuff than we of this soft, mollycoddled generation, else we would never have received the Word. ‘And they stoned Stephen, (as he was) calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.’ (Acts 7:59-60) My people, my people, how many of us could face such an awful death, with such peace and forgiveness eh, especially in these times of easy living? Not many. Oh Friends, it is indeed a day of Lamentation, for can anyone explain why there’s so much ‘sufferation’ in a world of so much plenty. Yes Friends, we can no longer call it mere suffering, it’s gotten too widespread and intense. Why everyday a new theatre of war opens, or a new natural disaster occurs, when the old wars have not ended, or the old disasters cleaned up? Why is our supposedly rich and prosperous world constantly besieged by financial troubles? Why when some inane celebrity’s Achilles heel is exposed, it makes the headlines and the world pounds them mercilessly? Why are our politicians so full of empty political rhetoric, substance less drivel, but no good intentions? Can someone tell me why in these supposed enlightened times women and children are still terribly abused? Why is there everlasting poverty, untold crime and violence, fear and doubt? Why do some brainwashed, uneducated fools blow themselves up, kill and main indiscriminately, but are considered martyrs? Why are our leaders more interested in greed and corruption rather than good governance of the people and their welfare? Why are warmongers and those who profit from death and destruction allowed to lobby and agitate to keep wars going? Why is gang violence escalating, and the use of the gun become so prevalent, especially amongst our youth? Why do drugs and drink play such a large part not only in our economy, but in our society as a whole? Why is immorality now ignored, even cheered on, while values and standards are daily falling, and we’re fast becoming a technologically superior, but otherwise dumb society? Why is the work ethic disappearing, along with jobs, homes and families? Yes mih people, it is a sure sad state of affairs; our world, so full of hate, anger, violence, oppression, suppression and senseless killing, when all the religions and their supposed gods for the most part preach Peace and LOVE. Why eh? Why? I certainly don’t know, and oftimes in my naivety, I have a hard time picturing it. But Friends, I guess the only place to find the answers to those many troubling questions is in heaven, at the footstool of the Most High God Jehovah since He’s running things. And I’ve asked Him. But He’s not answering, at least not those types of questions. It must be all a trial of our faith. He simply wants us to believe, trust and surrender our entire lives to Him. And besides doing our little bit to make our world a better place, there’s not much we can do as individuals. But together Friends, together as a group of strong, faithful and steadfast believers, we can surely make a difference, right some of the atrocious wrongs that are currently sabotaging our world. And while doing that, let’s try to say, like Stephen; ‘Lord, lay not this sin to their charge,’ in a true spirit of forgiveness. Oh Friends, there’s much to lament in our world, but there’s also much to give thanks and praise for. Let’s not forget the lamentable things, but for all our sakes, please concentrate on the good ones, and faithfully forge ahead, looking always to the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Much LOVE!…Father…forgive them…for they know not what they do…
SCRIP-BITS 