Unstoppable! 'Remembering God's Work in Our History' — Acts 7:1-5

Sunday, March 31, 2024

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Then the high priest asked Stephen, "Are these accusations true?"

This was Stephen's reply: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran. God told him, 'Leave your native land and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you.' So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died. Then God brought him here to the land where you now live.

"But God gave him no inheritance here, not even one square foot of land. God did promise, however, that eventually the whole land would belong to Abraham and his descendants — even though he had no children yet."

— Acts 7:1-5 NLT

Key Thought

So much of faith is choosing to remember the long version of our story, especially the birth of our story in biblical history. Abraham is our father, whether we are Jewish by race, children of Abraham by faith in Jesus, or both (Galatians 3:6-7). We must remember our long lineage of faith! That story reminds us of who we are, whose we are, and whose purposes we are called to fulfill. Our home is not here. We are given a time, a place, and a circle of influence so that we can help others meet God and know his call and his blessings. Abraham demonstrated what this kind of life of faith looks like. Am I willing to live as he did? Will I receive God's blessings so that I can be a conduit of those blessings to others? Will I choose to bless others rather than hoard God's blessings for myself?

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you. You have blessed me so richly with family, friends, earthly blessings, and spiritual blessings through Jesus. Show me how I can share those blessings with others so they can also come to know Jesus as their Lord. I ask this in his name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Genesis 12:1-3
  • 2 Corinthians 5:1-5; Hebrews 13:14

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 7:1-5 NLT — Then the high priest asked Stephen, "Are these accusations true?" This was Stephen's reply: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran. God told him, 'Leave your native land and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you.' So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died. Then God brought him here to the land where you now live. "But God gave him no inheritance here, not even one square foot of land. God did promise, however, that eventually the whole land would belong to Abraham and his descendants — even though he had no children yet."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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