24th April 2024

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24th April 2024

STEPHEN THE MARTYR

April 24, 2024 • Dr Zubeda Sing, Pastor Zubeda Sing

Stephen

one of the seven deacons, who became a preacher of the gospel.

He was the first Christian martyr.

His personal character and history are recorded in Acts 6. "He fell asleep" with a prayer for his persecutors on his lips (7:60). Devout men carried him to his grave (8:2).

It was at the feet of the young Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus, that those who stoned him laid their clothes (comp. Deut. 17:5-7) before they began their cruel work.

The scene which Saul then witnessed and the words he heard appear to have made a deep and lasting impression on his mind (Acts 22:19, 20).

The speech of Stephen before the Jewish ruler is the first apology for the universalism of the gospel as a message to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. It is the longest speech contained in the Acts, a place of prominence being given to it as a defence.

Stephen was a young man picked by the disciples to serve at tables. His job was to serve the widows. He was a man filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit. He came in with passion and purpose and took his calling seriously. So much so that this attracted the attention of the Jewish rulers. In his service of the people, he managed to impact their lives with his conduct and his words, so much so that they became followers of Jesus. This cost him his life, but to the very end, he spoke the word of the Lord to convince his listeners of the authenticity of the Messiah. They stoned him to death, yet he died peacefully with a smile. They could not withstand the wisdom of the Holy Spirit that came out of him. What a testimony.

I am not sure if any of us would be called to do this as the bible does not give too many accounts of this kind of death for speaking of the way of the Lord. In our day, we are free to tell people about Jesus. Let us do this with passion and purpose so we can let people know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Let us give people hope. There is a dying world out there that needs hope.

CONFESSION/PRAYER

Holy Spirit help me to be a voice of hope to this dying world. Let me be a helping hand to those in need. Let my words be words of life, so those dying may become hopeful in a God who is able to deliver and set them free.

30th April 2024

April 30, 2024 • Dr Zubeda Sing, Pastor Zubeda Sing

After these things, he went away from Athens, and came to Corinth. And there he came across a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by birth, who not long before had come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had given orders that all Jews were to go away from Rome: and he came to them; And because he was of the same trade, he was living with them, and they did their work together; for by trade, they were tent-makers. Acts 18v1-3 The most prosperous Roman province in Asia Minor, and Ephesus (v. 8), its most prosperous city. Aquila and Priscilla. They had relocated with Paul to Ephesus (Acts 18:2-3,18, 24-27); the Corinthians knew them. church that is in their house. Churches, like some other associations with limited resources, met in homes, normally those large enough to host them (see note on Acts 12:12). Priscilla & Aquila were a couple who met Paul on a ministry trip. It can be seen from the above scripture that this was an affluent couple who were transformed by the Gospel preached by Paul. They invited him into their home and travelled with him whenever he went from place to place. They were also in the same trade as Paul so they worked alongside him in the ministry as well as in their everyday life. They were passionate and fervent in their pursuit of God, so much so that they started a church in their home. They even influenced Apollos, a minister of the gospel who ministered to many. When they came across him they realized that he did not have the full gospel so they taught him the full message so he could be an effective minister. This is the same Apollos where the word says, Paul plants, Apollos waters and God gives the growth. Imagine, each one took their place in ministry and the church was impacted and established as a result of their relentless pursuit of God and the message of salvation. How wonderful it is when each one plays their role in bringing the word to their world. One plants the word into the hearts of people, one waters the word preached by encouraging and building up God’s people and as a result God gives growth to those saved individually and then grows and establishes the church. Are you willing to open your home to minister to those in need? Will you builder and encourager to those around you so the church can grow and be a powerful influence to the nations of the world. We need you. CONFESSION/PRAYER Holy Spirit like Priscilla & Aquila, help us to fulfill the call to ministry in our lives to influence our world and impact the nations so Jesus is preached to every man and every woman. Show us how to be effective in our world by being a blessing to those in need. We love you, Jesus.

29th April 2024

April 29, 2024 • Dr Zubeda Sing, Pastor Zubeda Sing

Lucas a friend and companion of Paul during his imprisonment at Rome; Luke (q.v.), the beloved physician (Philemon 1:24; Col. 4:14). the evangelist, was a Gentile. The date and circumstances of his conversion are unknown. According to his own statement (Luke 1:2), he was not an "eye-witness and minister of the word from the beginning." It is probable that he was a physician in Troas, and was there converted by Paul, to whom he attached himself. He accompanied him to Philippi, but did not there share his imprisonment, nor did he accompany him further after his release in his missionary journey at this time (Acts 17:1). On Paul's third visit to Philippi (20:5, 6) we again meet with Luke, who probably had spent all the intervening time in that city, a period of seven or eight years. From this time Luke was Paul's constant companion during his journey to Jerusalem (20:6-21:18). He again disappears from view during Paul's imprisonment at Jerusalem and Caesarea, and only reappears when Paul sets out for Rome (27:1), whither he accompanies him (28:2, 12-16), and where he remains with him till the close of his first imprisonment (Philemon 1:24; Col. 4:14). The last notice of the "beloved physician" is in 2 Tim. 4:11. Luke was an ordinary Physician going about his daily work until he encountered the gospel through our beloved Apostle Paul. He was so attracted to the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit taught by Paul that he became a scribe and companion of Paul. Luke was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the gospel of Luke. (read this account of the gospel and see his version of the greatness of our God, through the eyes of a Physician, Jesus was known as the great Physician). He put aside his great learning and skill to follow a man who was imprisoned, yet he served him gladly and with passion. He helped Paul fulfil his call in writing for most of the gospel. What humility from this man who was not even a Jew, but called by God to serve. You and I called of God and set apart from our mother’s womb. We were called even before the foundations of the world. We are sanctified and made holy by this calling, just like every one of the men and women who have been called. We are unique in our calling and the Holy Spirit is waiting on us to yield to him so he can train us to reign in this life. He wants to teach us the ways of the Father so we live a divine life in this earthly realm. Luke understood this, even though he was already a successful doctor in his world. He needed more, a more satisfying life following Jesus. Will you yield today, so you too can lead a more satisfied and successful life? Servant and discipleship is not something everyone in this world and time considers important, but for you and I, the destiny of many lies in our hands so we need to fulfil our call, no matter what we are doing in this life. God is waiting on you. CONFESSION/PRAYER Lord, I come to you in Jesus' name and commend my life into your hands, I have been serving you but I never quite understood what it was that I needed to do. I want to yield to you and fulfil this divine calling in this earthly realm. There is more to this God's life and I want more of you, each and every day.

28th April 2024

April 28, 2024 • Dr Zubeda Sing, Pastor Zubeda Sing

He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually, he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. John 4v4-18 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” There is no name given for this woman, yet her responses and demeanour made an impact on the master. He saw potential in her and the ability to win a city. She on the other hand was consumed by the fact that he was a Jew and he should not be speaking to her. She was bothered by the fact that he wanted to give her water but he had no bucket to get the water with. Jesus asked the questions and waited for her response, he already knew she was the influencer he needed to win the lost in the city she came from. He did not look as a man looked at the woman, a woman who already had 5 husbands. No, he saw a soul winner. Son/daughter of God Jesus sees you not as you are, but as the great potential that is already on the inside of you. His word and His spirit in your life will mine the gold out of you to make you the vessel of honour that he originally called you to be. Step up and take your place. CONFESSION/PRAYER Thank you, Lord, that you never leave us where you found us, day by day you change and transform us into the person you originally called us to be. Forgive us for our shortcomings and our failure to recognize the greatness you have placed in us. We are willing to be used by you.