While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Acts 7:59 NIV
Stephen was one of the greatest Christian martyrs of the early church. May you and I never have to suffer that way for the sake of our call! But, may we be willing to, should the need arise!
Stephen was not ashamed of the gospel. In the 7th chapter of Acts, we read one of the greatest sermons in the New Testament. Stephen reminds the Sanhedrin, the Jewish rulers, how God had called Abraham to go to a land he could not see. He told of Moses and the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. And, he told about Jesus, the prophesized Messiah, who had come to save His people from their sins. Stephen also told them that they were the ones who sentenced Jesus to death on the cross.
His words were powerful, direct, and true! It was a toe-stomping, finger-pointing, shoe-fitting delivery of the gospel! The Sanhedrin were not pleased. At once they started to stone Stephen severely, eventually causing his death.
However, Stephen stood firm, even praising God in the midst of the brutality. What a testimony! What a picture of faith! When it was the worst of days for Stephen, he was still looking Heavenward! Can you imagine the coming-home victory celebration Heaven had for Stephen?
What about you (and me)? When life is stoning us-- when the bills are piling up, when your marriage is failing, when your children are rebelling, when your health is drifting away, whatever the stones in your life are-- do you still keep your eyes looking for our Redeemer? Are you still clinging to the Cross?
As the stones come this week, may we still say, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!”
For more of my thoughts, check out my personal blog at
http://www.ronedmondson.com where I write on issues such as marriage, parenting, church and leadership.
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I may not see in front of me, But I can see for miles around when I look over my shoulder, and Lord, it`s clear. You`ve brought me here, So faithful every step of the way. What can I do but follow you, For You are the Way, the Truth, the Life, And You`ve promised never to leave me, My Savior, my friend, From beginning to end. 
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