Read Acts 8:1-8
There’s Always Hope With Jesus.
During the time Stephen was stoned to death, a man named Saul was there holding the coats of those who were stoning Stephen. Saul supported the death of him. After Stephen’s death, Saul began to destroy the Christian churches by dragging off men and women and putting them in prison. This resulted in thousands of Christians fleeing throughout Judea and Samaria. I’m sure the devil was happy to see Christians being broken up and fleeing. But what happened, instead of the Christians hiding, they began to share Jesus in the new areas that they fled. More people got to hear the message of Jesus and see miracles and healings. As a result, the Christian faith grew even more. So what the devil meant for evil actually became a blessing for the Lord because more and more people we’re getting saved throughout the regions.
The devil is always out to destroy us and to get us to be mad at ourselves or make us feel we’re no good, or make us feel there’s no hope for a future. Have you ever felt that way? When things don’t go as you plan, take heart because there is hope in Jesus. Genesis 50:20 says what was meant for evil, God turned it into good … Into a blessing. There’s always hope with Jesus. If you ever feel down, the devil wants you to separate from God and from other Christians and get into a state of unhappiness or depression. But God wants to bring hope and newness into your life. He wants to turn something bad into a positive testimony for the Lord. Do not let the devil beat you down. In Christ, you cannot be destroyed. You are God’s child and God loves you and wants to redeem you from the lies that say you’re no good, and renew your heart so you can be confident in who he created you to be. Remember, the devil came to destroy and the Lord came to restore. There’s always hope in Jesus!!!
