Real Joy in the City!

1-2That set off a terrific persecution of the church in Jerusalem. The believers were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. All, that is, but the apostles. Good and brave men buried Stephen, giving him a solemn funeral—not many dry eyes that day!
3-8 And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus. Going down to a Samaritan city, Philip proclaimed the Message of the Messiah. When the people heard what he had to say and saw the miracles, the clear signs of God’s action, they hung on his every word. Many who could neither stand nor walk were healed that day. The evil spirits protested loudly as they were sent on their way. And what joy in the city! Acts 8: 1-8 (MSG)

More and more I hear discussions of what is going on in our city. As greater numbers of people are affected by lay-offs, furlough days, and a decrease in benefits, the cries become louder and a feeling of hopelessness and hellplessness is spreading like wildfire!
As I was thinking on conversations I had today, my thoughts turned to Saul. What the local news must have reported when Stephen was stoned to death! Perhaps the daily news read something like this:

One of our great church leaders, Saul, stood by approving of the stoning of a heretic named Stephen, a member of the radical sect who claim to be followers of Jesus. Their fanatical ways and strange doctrine will now be silenced as those believers fled for their lives. Fortunately our great church leader Saul is going from house to house making sure that everyone of them leaves our city!

That is probably what it appeared like to the local news commentators – what in fact happened was something quite different. As believers were forced to leave their homes instead of lamenting over their fate – they became stronger – they became missionaries and spread the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ throughout every region they went in. In the above mentioned scriptue we find that Phillip (one of those devout believers like Stephen) went into a Samaritan city and preached the gospel – and prayed the gospel – for as he prayed great wonders and signs followed – miracles that people could see with their eyes and many were healed! What was the result – the evil spirits were so angry – they protested loudly the scripture says – but it also says they went on their way – and what happened to that city – “And what joy was in the city!”

I don’t know about you, but these were the kinds of stories that got my attention when I first believed – that I served a God who could take the worst of times and make the best of times! That a Saul – a traitor to God and to God’s people could become a Paul!
And all because those persecuted beleivers took their faith to the city!

God Bless You,
Maria