Month: October 2026

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CASTS SPELLS … IS A MEDIUM / DEUTERONOMY 18:11

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Deuteronomy 18:11

Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

The Deception of the Unseen: Why God Warns Us Against Mediums and Spells

In a world fascinated by the supernatural, it is easy to stumble into territory that seems harmless but is spiritually dangerous. From late-night psychic commercials to popular television shows featuring mediums who claim to speak with the deceased, our culture often glamorizes the occult. However, Deuteronomy 18:11 draws a clear, unyielding line in the sand, explicitly forbidding us from engaging with anyone who “casts spells, or who is a medium or a spiritist or who consults the dead.”

Understanding the Danger

The Bible does not deny the reality of the spiritual realm; rather, it warns us because of the malicious forces at play. When individuals consult mediums or seek out spiritists to predict the future, discover hidden secrets, or gain personal power, they are not contacting their departed loved ones. Scripture reveals that communication with the dead is actually communication with demons.

Throughout God’s Word, we see the heavy toll of ignoring this boundary:

  • The Trap of Deception: In 1 Samuel 28:8-14, King Saul desperately seeks out a medium at Endor, bypassing God to find answers, which ultimately seals his tragic fate.
  • Spiritual Corruption: 2 Kings 21:6 laments King Manasseh’s wickedness, noting that he practiced sorcery, used divination, and consulted mediums, actively provoking the Lord to anger.
  • The True Source of Truth: Isaiah 8:19 pointedly asks, “When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists… should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”

Turning to the Light

Seeking power or knowledge through occult practices is an attempt to find security apart from Creator God. It opens a doorway to demonic deception and spiritual bondage. True peace, guidance, and protection do not come from the shadows of mediumship, but from the light of Jesus Christ, who holds the future in His hands. If you need wisdom, ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, Almighty God,

We praise You as the Creator of all things visible and invisible. Lord, Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. We ask for Your forgiveness for any times we have allowed curiosity or desperation to lead our hearts toward things You have forbidden.

Protect our minds and spirits from the deceptions of the enemy. Give us the discernment to recognize the dangers of the occult, mediums, and sorcery, and grant us the strength to turn completely away from them. We declare that our trust, our future, and our security rest solely in the hands of Jesus Christ.

Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, grant us Your true peace, and guide us into all truth. It is in the mighty and holy name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. WHO SACRIFICES – IN THE FIRE – DIVINATION – OMENS / DEUTERONOMY 18:10
  2. DETESTABLE WAYS OF THE NATIONS / DEUTERONOMY 18:9-11
  3. PURGE THE EVIL / DEUTERONOMY 17:7
  4. FEAST OF WEEKS / DEUTERONOMY 16:10
  5. PASSOVER / DEUTERONOMY 16:1
  6. NOT SEND HIM AWAY EMPTY-HANDED / DEUTERONOMY 15:13
  7. A POOR MAN / DEUTERONOMY 15:7-11
  8. WINE OR OTHER FERMENTED DRINK … YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD / DEUTERONOMY 14:26
  9. NOT LISTEN TO THAT PROPHET / DEUTERONOMY 13:3
  10. THE PLACE … GOD WILL CHOOSE / DEUTERONOMY 12:5
  11. DESTROY COMPLETELY ALL THE PLACES / DEUTERONOMY 12:2
  12. BLESSING AND A CURSE / DEUTERONOMY 11:26
  13. TEACH THEM TO YOUR CHILDREN / DEUTERONOMY 11:19
  14. LOVE HIM … WITH ALL YOUR HEART / DEUTERONOMY 10:12-13
  15. NOT BECAUSE OF YOUR RIGHTOUSNESS / DEUTERONOMY 9:5
  16. WICKEDNESS OF THESE NATIONS / DEUTERONOMY 9:4
  17. ABILITY TO PRODUCE WEALTH / DEUTERONOMY 8:18
  18. EAT AND ARE SATISFIED … FORGET THE LORD / DEUTERONOMY 8:12-14
  19. LAND WITH STREAMS AND POOLS / DEUTERONOMY 8:7
  20. MAN DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE / DEUTERONOMY 8:3
  21. DETESTABLE THING INTO YOUR HOUSE / DEUTERONOMY 7:26
  22. INFLICT HORRIBLE DISEASES /DEUTERONOMY 7:15
  23. COVENANT OF LOVE TO … THOSE WHO LOVE HIM / DEUTERONOMY 7:9
  24. DO NOT INTERMARRY WITH THEM / DEUTERONOMY 7:3-4
  25. IMPRESS THEM ON YOUR CHILDREN / DEUTERONOMY 6:7
  26. THESE COMMANDMENTS … UPON YOUR HEARTS / DEUTERONOMY 6:6
  27. LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD / DEUTERONOMY 6:5
  28. THE LORD OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE / DEUTERONOMY 6:4
  29. HEAR O ISRAEL / DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9
  30. OH THAT THEIR HEARTS WOULD BE INCLINED TO FEAR ME / DEUTERONOMY 5:29
  31. TEN COMMANDMENTS / DEUTERONOMY 5:7-21
  32. A COVENANT / DEUTERONOMY 5:2
  33. ALL YOUR HEART … SOUL / DEUTERONOMY 4:29
  34. HEAVEN AND EARTH AS WITNESSES: THE SIX PROPHECIES OF ISRAEL’S HISTORY / DEUTERONOMY 4:26
  35. CONSUMING FIRE – JEALOUS GOD / DEUTERONOMY 4:24
  36. IDOL AN IMAGE OF ANY SHAPE / DEUTERONOMY 4:16
  37. LEARN TO REVERE ME / DEUTERONOMY 4:10
  38. THAT YOU DO NOT FORGET TEACH THEM TO YOUR CHILDREN / DEUTERONOMY 4:9
  39. THE NATIONS / DEUTERONOMY 4:6
  40. WHY WE CANNOT ADD OR SUBTRACT FROM GOD’S WORD / DEUTERONOMY 4:2
  41. FOLLOW THEM SO THAT YOU MAY LIVE / DEUTERONOMY 4:1
  42. LET ME GO OVER / DEUTERONOMY 3:25
  43. THE LORD … WILL FIGHT FOR YOU / DEUTERONOMY 3:22
  44. THE LORD … MADE HIS SPIRIT STUBORN / DEUTERONOMY 2:30
  45. GOD HAS BEEN WITH YOU / DEUTERONOMY 2:7
  46. FOLLOWED THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY / DEUTERONOMY 1:36
  47. NOT A MAN … SHALL SEE THE GOOD LAND / DEUTERONOMY 1:35
  48. REBELLED AGAINST THE COMMAND / DEUTERONOMY 1:26
  49. THE WORDS MOSES SPOKE / DEUTERONOMY 1:1
  50. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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WHO SACRIFICES – IN THE FIRE – DIVINATION – OMENS / DEUTERONOMY 18:10

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Deuteronomy 18:10

There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.

Leaving the Darkness Behind: Trusting God’s Voice in a World of Noise

We live in a world obsessed with knowing what comes next. From checking horoscopes to seeking out modern trends of manifestation and spiritual shortcuts, human nature hasn’t changed much. We desperately want control over our future.

In Deuteronomy 18:10, Moses delivers a stark, uncompromising warning to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. God exposes the dangers of seeking hidden knowledge through dark means, specifically naming practices like child sacrifice, divination, and interpreting omens.

When we look closely at these ancient prohibitions, we find powerful lessons for our faith journey today.

1. Who Sacrifices in the Fire: The Deception of Control

Moses explicitly reminds the people not to follow the horrific Canaanite practice of sacrificing children in the fire to pagan gods. In places like Leviticus 20:2-5, Scripture strongly condemns this.

But why did the Canaanites do it? It wasn’t just empty ritual; it was a desperate, extreme means to influence future events and appease false deities for personal gain.

  • The Modern Parallel: While we may not see literal fires today, the temptation remains: what are we willing to sacrifice to get what we want? When we compromise our ethics, our families, or our peace of mind to secure our future, we are burning down what matters most on the altar of control. God asks us to lay our lives down as living sacrifices, trusting that He already holds tomorrow.

2. Divination and Omens: Counterfeit Truth

Those who practiced divination and looked for omens in the ancient world sought to predict future events or uncover hidden secrets. They relied on human manipulation or, worse, the aid of evil spirits—a dangerous path that Revelation 9:21 warns leads only to deeper spiritual blindness.

Trying to bypass God to find answers always leads to captivity. It trades the living truth for a counterfeit peace.

  • The Divine Alternative: God never leaves us in the dark, but He demands that we look to the right Source. As Deuteronomy 18:14-22 goes on to explain, God’s way for us to gain truth is to listen to faithful prophets who declare His Word. Ultimate truth isn’t found in signs, shadows, or sorcery; it is found in the steady, unchanging voice of God.

Choosing the Light

Every time we reach for worldly shortcuts to navigate our anxiety, we step away from the protective boundary of God’s love. God doesn’t withhold the future from us to be cruel; He keeps it so that we learn to walk by faith, day by day, holding His hand.

Turn away from the whispers of the culture and tune your heart to the Word of God. He has already told you everything you need to know for today.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You acknowledging that our hearts often crave certainty and control. Forgive us for the times we have looked to the world, to culture, or to spiritual shortcuts to ease our anxieties about tomorrow. Give us the grace to completely turn away from anything that mimics Your truth or pulls us into spiritual darkness.

Lord, we choose to trust Your voice above all the noise. We thank You that Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Help us to lay down our need to know the future, and instead, rest deeply in the certainty of Your love. Teach us to listen closely to Your truth and to walk boldly in Your light.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. DETESTABLE WAYS OF THE NATIONS / DEUTERONOMY 18:9-11
  2. PURGE THE EVIL / DEUTERONOMY 17:7
  3. FEAST OF WEEKS / DEUTERONOMY 16:10
  4. PASSOVER / DEUTERONOMY 16:1
  5. NOT SEND HIM AWAY EMPTY-HANDED / DEUTERONOMY 15:13
  6. A POOR MAN / DEUTERONOMY 15:7-11
  7. WINE OR OTHER FERMENTED DRINK … YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD / DEUTERONOMY 14:26
  8. NOT LISTEN TO THAT PROPHET / DEUTERONOMY 13:3
  9. THE PLACE … GOD WILL CHOOSE / DEUTERONOMY 12:5
  10. DESTROY COMPLETELY ALL THE PLACES / DEUTERONOMY 12:2
  11. BLESSING AND A CURSE / DEUTERONOMY 11:26
  12. TEACH THEM TO YOUR CHILDREN / DEUTERONOMY 11:19
  13. LOVE HIM … WITH ALL YOUR HEART / DEUTERONOMY 10:12-13
  14. NOT BECAUSE OF YOUR RIGHTOUSNESS / DEUTERONOMY 9:5
  15. WICKEDNESS OF THESE NATIONS / DEUTERONOMY 9:4
  16. ABILITY TO PRODUCE WEALTH / DEUTERONOMY 8:18
  17. EAT AND ARE SATISFIED … FORGET THE LORD / DEUTERONOMY 8:12-14
  18. LAND WITH STREAMS AND POOLS / DEUTERONOMY 8:7
  19. MAN DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE / DEUTERONOMY 8:3
  20. DETESTABLE THING INTO YOUR HOUSE / DEUTERONOMY 7:26
  21. INFLICT HORRIBLE DISEASES /DEUTERONOMY 7:15
  22. COVENANT OF LOVE TO … THOSE WHO LOVE HIM / DEUTERONOMY 7:9
  23. DO NOT INTERMARRY WITH THEM / DEUTERONOMY 7:3-4
  24. IMPRESS THEM ON YOUR CHILDREN / DEUTERONOMY 6:7
  25. THESE COMMANDMENTS … UPON YOUR HEARTS / DEUTERONOMY 6:6
  26. LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD / DEUTERONOMY 6:5
  27. THE LORD OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE / DEUTERONOMY 6:4
  28. HEAR O ISRAEL / DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9
  29. OH THAT THEIR HEARTS WOULD BE INCLINED TO FEAR ME / DEUTERONOMY 5:29
  30. TEN COMMANDMENTS / DEUTERONOMY 5:7-21
  31. A COVENANT / DEUTERONOMY 5:2
  32. ALL YOUR HEART … SOUL / DEUTERONOMY 4:29
  33. HEAVEN AND EARTH AS WITNESSES: THE SIX PROPHECIES OF ISRAEL’S HISTORY / DEUTERONOMY 4:26
  34. CONSUMING FIRE – JEALOUS GOD / DEUTERONOMY 4:24
  35. IDOL AN IMAGE OF ANY SHAPE / DEUTERONOMY 4:16
  36. LEARN TO REVERE ME / DEUTERONOMY 4:10
  37. THAT YOU DO NOT FORGET TEACH THEM TO YOUR CHILDREN / DEUTERONOMY 4:9
  38. THE NATIONS / DEUTERONOMY 4:6
  39. WHY WE CANNOT ADD OR SUBTRACT FROM GOD’S WORD / DEUTERONOMY 4:2
  40. FOLLOW THEM SO THAT YOU MAY LIVE / DEUTERONOMY 4:1
  41. LET ME GO OVER / DEUTERONOMY 3:25
  42. THE LORD … WILL FIGHT FOR YOU / DEUTERONOMY 3:22
  43. THE LORD … MADE HIS SPIRIT STUBORN / DEUTERONOMY 2:30
  44. GOD HAS BEEN WITH YOU / DEUTERONOMY 2:7
  45. FOLLOWED THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY / DEUTERONOMY 1:36
  46. NOT A MAN … SHALL SEE THE GOOD LAND / DEUTERONOMY 1:35
  47. REBELLED AGAINST THE COMMAND / DEUTERONOMY 1:26
  48. THE WORDS MOSES SPOKE / DEUTERONOMY 1:1
  49. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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DETESTABLE WAYS OF THE NATIONS / DEUTERONOMY 18:9-11

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Deuteronomy 18:9-11

Walking in the Light: Rejecting the Detestable Ways of the Culture

In a world increasingly fascinated by the supernatural, the line between harmless entertainment and spiritual danger can often feel blurred. From casual horoscope checks and tarot cards to television shows centering on mediums and witchcraft, society frequently normalizes practices that the Bible addresses with absolute clarity.

When we look at Deuteronomy 18:9-11, God issues a stark, uncompromising boundary line for His people regarding the “detestable ways” of the surrounding nations. As believers today, understanding this boundary is essential for guarding our hearts and staying anchored in the Holy Spirit.

The Text & Ancient Context

The core passage from Deuteronomy 18:9-11 warns Israel not to imitate the detestable practices of the nations in Canaan—such as child sacrifice, witchcraft, divination, sorcery, and communicating with the dead. For full details on the specific wording and prohibitions, please refer to the referenced text. These practices were considered a profound moral abomination and an act of spiritual rebellion against God. Under the Old Covenant (Leviticus 20:27), participation carried severe penalties, reflecting how seriously God views spiritual pollution.

New Testament Continuity and Purpose

God’s standard remains consistent. The New Testament affirms that engaging in sorcery and similar occult practices places individuals outside God’s kingdom (Galatians 5:20-21, Revelation 22:15). These divine restrictions are protective boundaries rather than arbitrary rules:

  1. Shifting Trust: They prevent us from replacing the Creator with counterfeit sources of power and guidance.
  2. Spiritual Safety: Engaging with the occult (the hidden) invites unclean influences contrary to the Holy Spirit.
  3. Reliance on God: Believers are called to trust God alone for wisdom and future direction (Deuteronomy 18:14).

Through Christ, past involvement is forgiven and broken chains are replaced by the pure guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We praise You as the Maker of heaven and earth, the true source of all wisdom, light, and life. Lord, Your Word reminds us that we are called to be holy, set apart from the deceptive and destructive patterns of this world. We ask for Your forgiveness for any times we have allowed curiosity or cultural trends to draw our attention toward things that displease You.

Give us eyes of spiritual discernment. Help us to guard our hearts, our homes, and our minds against any form of deception or counterfeit spiritual power. We declare that our trust, our future, and our guidance rest solely in You and You alone. Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit, and let Your perfect love cast out all fear. May our lives reflect Your purity, truth, and light to the world around us.

In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. PURGE THE EVIL / DEUTERONOMY 17:7
  2. FEAST OF WEEKS / DEUTERONOMY 16:10
  3. PASSOVER / DEUTERONOMY 16:1
  4. NOT SEND HIM AWAY EMPTY-HANDED / DEUTERONOMY 15:13
  5. A POOR MAN / DEUTERONOMY 15:7-11
  6. WINE OR OTHER FERMENTED DRINK … YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD / DEUTERONOMY 14:26
  7. NOT LISTEN TO THAT PROPHET / DEUTERONOMY 13:3
  8. THE PLACE … GOD WILL CHOOSE / DEUTERONOMY 12:5
  9. DESTROY COMPLETELY ALL THE PLACES / DEUTERONOMY 12:2
  10. BLESSING AND A CURSE / DEUTERONOMY 11:26
  11. TEACH THEM TO YOUR CHILDREN / DEUTERONOMY 11:19
  12. LOVE HIM … WITH ALL YOUR HEART / DEUTERONOMY 10:12-13
  13. NOT BECAUSE OF YOUR RIGHTOUSNESS / DEUTERONOMY 9:5
  14. WICKEDNESS OF THESE NATIONS / DEUTERONOMY 9:4
  15. ABILITY TO PRODUCE WEALTH / DEUTERONOMY 8:18
  16. EAT AND ARE SATISFIED … FORGET THE LORD / DEUTERONOMY 8:12-14
  17. LAND WITH STREAMS AND POOLS / DEUTERONOMY 8:7
  18. MAN DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE / DEUTERONOMY 8:3
  19. DETESTABLE THING INTO YOUR HOUSE / DEUTERONOMY 7:26
  20. INFLICT HORRIBLE DISEASES /DEUTERONOMY 7:15
  21. COVENANT OF LOVE TO … THOSE WHO LOVE HIM / DEUTERONOMY 7:9
  22. DO NOT INTERMARRY WITH THEM / DEUTERONOMY 7:3-4
  23. IMPRESS THEM ON YOUR CHILDREN / DEUTERONOMY 6:7
  24. THESE COMMANDMENTS … UPON YOUR HEARTS / DEUTERONOMY 6:6
  25. LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD / DEUTERONOMY 6:5
  26. THE LORD OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE / DEUTERONOMY 6:4
  27. HEAR O ISRAEL / DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9
  28. OH THAT THEIR HEARTS WOULD BE INCLINED TO FEAR ME / DEUTERONOMY 5:29
  29. TEN COMMANDMENTS / DEUTERONOMY 5:7-21
  30. A COVENANT / DEUTERONOMY 5:2
  31. ALL YOUR HEART … SOUL / DEUTERONOMY 4:29
  32. HEAVEN AND EARTH AS WITNESSES: THE SIX PROPHECIES OF ISRAEL’S HISTORY / DEUTERONOMY 4:26
  33. CONSUMING FIRE – JEALOUS GOD / DEUTERONOMY 4:24
  34. IDOL AN IMAGE OF ANY SHAPE / DEUTERONOMY 4:16
  35. LEARN TO REVERE ME / DEUTERONOMY 4:10
  36. THAT YOU DO NOT FORGET TEACH THEM TO YOUR CHILDREN / DEUTERONOMY 4:9
  37. THE NATIONS / DEUTERONOMY 4:6
  38. WHY WE CANNOT ADD OR SUBTRACT FROM GOD’S WORD / DEUTERONOMY 4:2
  39. FOLLOW THEM SO THAT YOU MAY LIVE / DEUTERONOMY 4:1
  40. LET ME GO OVER / DEUTERONOMY 3:25
  41. THE LORD … WILL FIGHT FOR YOU / DEUTERONOMY 3:22
  42. THE LORD … MADE HIS SPIRIT STUBORN / DEUTERONOMY 2:30
  43. GOD HAS BEEN WITH YOU / DEUTERONOMY 2:7
  44. FOLLOWED THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY / DEUTERONOMY 1:36
  45. NOT A MAN … SHALL SEE THE GOOD LAND / DEUTERONOMY 1:35
  46. REBELLED AGAINST THE COMMAND / DEUTERONOMY 1:26
  47. THE WORDS MOSES SPOKE / DEUTERONOMY 1:1
  48. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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SAW JESUS STANDING / ACTS 7:55

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Acts 7:55

 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

Standing in Honor: The Ultimate Welcome

In our deepest trials, we are never alone. Acts 7:55 provides a breathtaking glimpse into heaven during the final moments of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. While the Scriptures consistently describe Jesus as seated at the right hand of God—a posture symbolizing finished redemption, ultimate authority, and sovereign rule—Stephen saw something completely unique. He saw Jesus standing.

Why was Jesus standing?

  • To Advocate: Jesus stands as our heavenly defense attorney, validating Stephen’s bold witness before the Father.
  • To Honor: The King of Kings stood up to show deep respect and honor for His faithful servant’s ultimate sacrifice.
  • To Welcome: For every believer facing death, the Savior does not merely wait; He stands ready to receive them into eternal glory.

When the world casts you out, heaven stands up for you. No matter what opposition you face today, remain steadfast. Your Savior sees you, advocates for you, and stands ready to welcome you home.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the powerful testimony of Stephen and the beautiful truth of Acts 7:55. Lord, when the pressures of this world feel overwhelming, fix our eyes on the open heavens. Help us to see Jesus standing at Your right hand, ready to advocate for us and comfort us. Give us the courage to speak Your truth boldly and live faithfully until our final breath. We rest in the glorious assurance that Jesus stands ready to welcome us into Your eternal kingdom. In His holy name, we pray. Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. ALWAYS RESIST THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 7:51
  2. ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN / ACTS 7:44
  3. GOD GAVE THEM OVER / ACTS 7:42
  4. THE ASSEMBLY IN THE DESERT / ACTS 7:38
  5. BROTHERS AND FATHERS LISTEN / ACTS 7:2-53
  6. STEPHEN … GOD’S GRACE AND POWER / ACTS 6:8
  7. LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM / ACTS 6:6
  8. GIVE OUR ATTENTION TO PRAYER / ACTS 6:4
  9. FULL OF THE SPIRIT AND WISDOM / ACTS 6:3
  10. HOLY SPIRIT … TO THOSE WHO OBEY HIM / ACTS 5:32
  11. OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN / ACTS 5:29-30
  12. FULL MESSAGE / ACTS 5:20
  13. ALL OF THEM WERE HEALED / ACTS 5:15-16
  14. GREAT FEAR SEIZED THE WHOLE CHURCH / ACTS 5:11
  15. ANANIAS FELL DOWN AND DIED / ACTS 5:5
  16. WHAT MADE YOU THINK OF DOING SUCH A THING?
  17. LIED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 5:3
  18. WITH GREAT POWER / ACTS 4:33
  19. THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 4:31
  20. HEAL AND PERFORM MIRACULOUS SIGNS AND WONDERS /ACTS 4:30
  21. SERVANTS TO SPEAK WITH GREAT BOLDNESS / ACTS 4:29
  22. WE CANNOT HELP SPEAKING / ACTS 4:20
  23. SALVATION IN NO ONE ELSE / ACTS 4:12
  24. PETER FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 4:8
  25. TURNING … FROM YOUR WICKED WAYS / ACTS 3:26
  26. A PROPHET / ACTS 3:22
  27. TIME COMES FOR GOD TO RESTORE EVERYTHING / ACTS 3:21
  28. REPENT AND TURN TO GOD – TIMES OF REFRESING / ACTS 3:19
  29. IN THE NAME OF JESUS … WALK / ACTS 3:6
  30. APOSTLES’ TEACHING … FELLOWSHIP … BREAKING OF BREAD … PRAYER / ACTS 2:42-47
  31. THIS CORRUPT GENERATION / ACTS 2:40
  32. FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN AND FOR ALL / ACTS 2:39
  33. REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED / ACTS 2:38
  34. LORD AND CHRIST / ACTS 2:36
  35. THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD / ACTS 2:33
  36. IMPOSSIBLE FOR DEATH TO KEEP ITS HOLD / ACTS 2:24
  37. MY SERVANTS, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN – IN THOSE DAYS / ACTS 2:18
  38. THE LAST DAYS / ACTS 2:17
  39. SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET JOEL / ACTS 2:16
  40. PETER’S PENTECOST SERMON / ACTS 2:14-40
  41. WINE / ACTS 2:13
  42. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 2:4
  43. A VIOLENT WIND … AND … TONGUES / ACTS 2:2-3
  44. PENTECOST / ACTS 2:1
  45. APOSTLES / ACTS 1:23
  46. JOINED TOGETHER CONSTANTLY IN PRAYER / ACTS 1:14
  47. YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER / ACTS 1:8
  48. WITH [IN] THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 1:5
  49. GIFT MY FATHER PROMISED / ACTS 1:4
  50. SHOWED HIMSELF / ACTS 1:3
  51. MY FORMER BOOK / ACTS 1:1-2
  52. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

ALWAYS RESIST THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 7:51

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Acts 7:51

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

The Danger of Becoming a Hardened People: Understanding Acts 7:51

In his final, fiery address to the Sanhedrin, Stephen delivers a piercing indictment that echoes down through the centuries to every follower of God:

Learning from Israel’s History

The history of Israel under the old covenant is the story of a people who repeatedly refused to obey their God and His revealed Word. Instead of submitting to the wise standards and restraints of His law, their hearts continually turned toward the beliefs, behaviors, and lifestyles of the ungodly nations and societies around them.

When God sent messengers to guide them back, they chose rebellion. They killed the prophets—the very same prophets who foretold the coming of Christ (Acts 7:52-53)—because those prophets challenged their sin and warned them of impending judgment. In doing this, they were not merely rejecting human voices; they were actively resisting the Holy Spirit.

A Warning for the Modern Church

As the Israel of Christ—God’s people and true followers under the new covenant—we must remain deeply aware of this same tendency to abandon the truth. It is easy to look back at ancient history and wonder how they could be so blind, but Christ’s churches today face the exact same temptation.

We, too, can turn away from Him and His Word, choosing the comfort of culture over the conviction of the Spirit. When a church or a believer refuses to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, the spiritual consequences are severe. Scripture warns that those who allow this hardening of the heart to happen will also experience God’s judgment, and His kingdom will be taken from them (Romans 11:20-22; Revelation 2-3). Let us examine our hearts today, ensuring that we are yielding to the Spirit rather than resisting His grace.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times our necks have been stiff and our hearts have been closed to Your direction. We ask that You cleanse us of all spiritual pride and stubbornness. Holy Spirit, do not let us resist Your prompts, Your truths, or Your loving correction. Grant Your Church the humility to listen to Your Word and the courage to obey it, regardless of the cultural pressures around us. Keep our lamps burning brightly, and anchor us deeply in Your grace, so that we may remain faithful to the very end. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN / ACTS 7:44
  2. GOD GAVE THEM OVER / ACTS 7:42
  3. THE ASSEMBLY IN THE DESERT / ACTS 7:38
  4. BROTHERS AND FATHERS LISTEN / ACTS 7:2-53
  5. STEPHEN … GOD’S GRACE AND POWER / ACTS 6:8
  6. LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM / ACTS 6:6
  7. GIVE OUR ATTENTION TO PRAYER / ACTS 6:4
  8. FULL OF THE SPIRIT AND WISDOM / ACTS 6:3
  9. HOLY SPIRIT … TO THOSE WHO OBEY HIM / ACTS 5:32
  10. OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN / ACTS 5:29-30
  11. FULL MESSAGE / ACTS 5:20
  12. ALL OF THEM WERE HEALED / ACTS 5:15-16
  13. GREAT FEAR SEIZED THE WHOLE CHURCH / ACTS 5:11
  14. ANANIAS FELL DOWN AND DIED / ACTS 5:5
  15. WHAT MADE YOU THINK OF DOING SUCH A THING?
  16. LIED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 5:3
  17. WITH GREAT POWER / ACTS 4:33
  18. THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 4:31
  19. HEAL AND PERFORM MIRACULOUS SIGNS AND WONDERS /ACTS 4:30
  20. SERVANTS TO SPEAK WITH GREAT BOLDNESS / ACTS 4:29
  21. WE CANNOT HELP SPEAKING / ACTS 4:20
  22. SALVATION IN NO ONE ELSE / ACTS 4:12
  23. PETER FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 4:8
  24. TURNING … FROM YOUR WICKED WAYS / ACTS 3:26
  25. A PROPHET / ACTS 3:22
  26. TIME COMES FOR GOD TO RESTORE EVERYTHING / ACTS 3:21
  27. REPENT AND TURN TO GOD – TIMES OF REFRESING / ACTS 3:19
  28. IN THE NAME OF JESUS … WALK / ACTS 3:6
  29. APOSTLES’ TEACHING … FELLOWSHIP … BREAKING OF BREAD … PRAYER / ACTS 2:42-47
  30. THIS CORRUPT GENERATION / ACTS 2:40
  31. FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN AND FOR ALL / ACTS 2:39
  32. REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED / ACTS 2:38
  33. LORD AND CHRIST / ACTS 2:36
  34. THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD / ACTS 2:33
  35. IMPOSSIBLE FOR DEATH TO KEEP ITS HOLD / ACTS 2:24
  36. MY SERVANTS, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN – IN THOSE DAYS / ACTS 2:18
  37. THE LAST DAYS / ACTS 2:17
  38. SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET JOEL / ACTS 2:16
  39. PETER’S PENTECOST SERMON / ACTS 2:14-40
  40. WINE / ACTS 2:13
  41. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 2:4
  42. A VIOLENT WIND … AND … TONGUES / ACTS 2:2-3
  43. PENTECOST / ACTS 2:1
  44. APOSTLES / ACTS 1:23
  45. JOINED TOGETHER CONSTANTLY IN PRAYER / ACTS 1:14
  46. YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER / ACTS 1:8
  47. WITH [IN] THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 1:5
  48. GIFT MY FATHER PROMISED / ACTS 1:4
  49. SHOWED HIMSELF / ACTS 1:3
  50. MY FORMER BOOK / ACTS 1:1-2
  51. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

MUSIC MONDAY OCTOBER 2026

Get Your Worship On: Music Monday with Jennifer Villareal

Looking for the perfect way to kick off your week? We have got you covered! Welcome to Music Monday, your weekly destination for uplifting worship tunes that will nourish your soul and focus your heart.

Brought to you by Jennifer Villareal, Music Monday is all about starting the week with faith, hope, and incredible music. Jennifer posts a new song every single Monday, offering an inspiring moment of reflection to help you navigate whatever the week brings.

Discover the “Guided By Grace” Playlist

If you are seeking fresh, faith-filled music to brighten your mornings, Jennifer’s Guided By Grace Music Monday Playlist on YouTube is a fantastic resource. It is curated specifically to bring joy, peace, and deep worship right into your daily routine.

Listening is incredibly simple. Just head over to YouTube and search for Guided By Grace Music Monday Playlist to dive straight into her handpicked selections.

Keep the Worship Flowing Nonstop

Want to keep the uplifting vibes going all day long? For a full, nonstop playlist experience, check out the Guided By Grace top praise and worship songs on YouTube.

This special collection features over two hours of continuous gospel hits and powerful praise anthems. It is the perfect background soundtrack for your work week, your morning commute, or your personal prayer time.

What are you waiting for? It’s time to listen to some of the best worship music around. Head over to YouTube, find the playlist, and get your worship on today!

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. MUSIC MONDAY SEPTEMBER 2026
  2. MUSIC MONDAY AUGUST 2026
  3. MUSIC MONDAY JULY 2026
  4. MUSIC MONDAY JUNE 2026
  5. MUSIC MONDAY MAY 2026
  6. MUSIC MONDAY APRIL 2026
  7. MUSIC MONDAY MARCH 2026
  8. MUSIC MONDAY FEBRUARY 2026
  9. MUSIC MONDAY JANUARY 2026
  10. MUSIC MONDAY DECEMBER 2025
  11. MUSIC MONDAY NOVEMBER 2025
  12. MUSIC MONDAY OCTOBER 2025
  13. MUSIC MONDAY SEPTEMBER 2025
  14. MUSIC MONDAY AUGUST 2025
  15. MUSIC MONDAY JULY 2025
  16. Music Monday June 2025
  17. LISTEN WITH US ON MUSIC MONDAY
  18. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

WELCOMING THE BLESSING OF OCTOBER

Embracing Autumn: Welcoming the Blessings of October

Hello, friends!

Can you believe we are already turning the page to October? There is something truly magical about this time of year. As the crisp autumn breeze rolls in, the leaves transform into vibrant shades of amber and gold, and nature gently reminds us of the beauty of letting go and trusting the process of change.

October is a beautiful month of transition. It invites us to slow down, find warmth in our homes and hearts, and reflect on the goodness that surrounds us. No matter what challenges the past few months may have held, a new month brings fresh perspectives, new beginnings, and quiet moments of joy. Let’s step into this cozy season with hearts full of gratitude and expectation.

As we navigate the weeks ahead, here are a few gentle reminders:

  • Savor the stillness: Take time to breathe in the crisp air and enjoy the slower pace of the season.
  • Practice gratitude: Look for the small, everyday blessings—a warm drink, a kind word, or a peaceful evening.
  • Trust the timing: Just as the trees trust the seasons, trust that you are exactly where you need to be.

A Closing Prayer for October

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we step into the beautiful month of October, we pause to express our deep gratitude for Your constant presence in our lives. Thank You for the gift of a new season and the reminders of Your creativity and faithfulness all around us.

Lord, we pray that this month will be a time of deep peace, comfort, and restoration. For anyone carrying heavy burdens, stress, or weariness, we ask that You replace those feelings with Your divine rest. Clear our minds of anxiety and fill our homes with Your warmth and love.

We ask for Your guidance and wisdom in all that we do this month. Light our path and order our steps so that we may walk with confidence and purpose. Protect our families, guard our health, and bless our daily work. May our lives reflect Your grace, and may we be a source of encouragement to everyone we meet.

We embrace this new month with hope, trusting that You go before us in all things.

In Your holy name, we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that genuinely encourage your faith walk.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. SEPTEMBER PRAYER
  2. A PRAYER FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST
  3. STEPPING INTO JULY 2026
  4. STEPPING INTO JUNE 2026
  5. GOOD MORNING & HAPPY WEDNESDAY!
  6. MEMORIAL DAY: A TIME TO REMEMBER, HONOR, AND PRAY
  7. A PRAYER FOR MAY 2026
  8. A PRAYER FOR APRIL 2026
  9. A PRAYER FOR MARCH 2026
  10. WELCOME FEBRUARY 2026
  11. JANUARY PRAYER JANUARY 2026
  12. WELCOME DECEMBER BLESSINGS 2025
  13. PRAYER FOR NOVEMBER 2025
  14. OCTOBER BLESSINGS 2025
  15. SEPTEMBER PRAYER 2025
  16. WELCOME AUGUST 2025
  17. JULY BLESSINGS 2025
  18. JUNE PRAYER 2025
  19. HELLO MAY BLESSINGS 2025
  20. EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2025
  21. GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 18, 2025
  22. PRAYER FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2025
  23. PRAYER FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2025
  24. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025
  25. PRAYER FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2024
  26. NOVEMBER 2024 HAPPY NEW MONTH!
  27. OCTOBER PRAYER 2024
  28. LABOR DAY PRAYER 2024
  29. WELCOME AUGUST 2024
  30. JULY 4th PRAYER 2024
  31. Crews N Away: Anchored in Grace

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN / ACTS 7:44

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Acts 7:44

Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.

According to the Pattern: Embracing God’s Timeless Standard for the Church

In Acts 7:44, as Stephen stands before the Sanhedrin defending his faith, he reminds his listeners of a critical historical truth: “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.”

This dynamic of operating “according to the pattern” is not a minor historical footnote. It reveals a fundamental truth about how the Creator relates to His creation: God has always laid out a specific, intentional pattern to be followed by His people.

The Old Covenant Pattern

Under the Old Covenant—God’s life agreement with the Israelites based on His laws, promises, and their faithfulness—God gave Moses precise blueprints. These were not suggestions; they served as the absolute standard for godly living.

  • The Passover: In Exodus 12, God gave specific instructions for the original Passover in Egypt. This rescue layout became a generational pattern for all Israelites to follow.
  • The Moral Standard: In Exodus 20, God delivered the Ten Commandments, establishing a timeless pattern of moral conduct.
  • The Tabernacle: In Exodus 25, Moses was instructed to construct a portable sanctuary. This tabernacle was a copy of heavenly things and a physical symbol of the spiritual salvation coming through Jesus Christ. Moses carefully made the tabernacle and all its furnishings “exactly like the pattern” God designed in His wisdom (Exodus 25:9, 40).

The New Covenant Pattern

Just as surely as God had a pattern for the tabernacle under the Old Covenant, He has a pattern for His church under the New Covenant—His plan of spiritual salvation and a renewed relationship with humanity through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The early church leaders did not arbitrarily decide how the church was to develop, organize, or function. The Father and the Son, speaking through the Holy Spirit in the New Testament Scriptures, established the proper pattern for the church. Throughout the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles, and Christ’s letters to the seven churches in Revelation, God lays out explicit instructions for church life. These structural and spiritual markers apply to local congregations just as much as they do to the worldwide body of Christ.

The Danger of Straying

Tragically, history shows that after the original church leaders passed away, the church began to stray from God’s original revelation. Leaders began to modify the heavenly pattern, conforming to worldly systems and overadapting to the surrounding culture. By structuring the church according to human ideas, traditions, and political purposes, manmade patterns began to replace divine ones.

If the church of Jesus Christ is to experience again the full plan, power, and presence of God, we must turn from our own ways. We must boldly embrace the New Testament pattern as God’s timeless, unchanging standard for His church. When we build according to His blueprint, we can expect His glory to fill the house.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are a God of order, wisdom, and perfect design. We thank You for the reminder in Your Word that You have not left us to wander or guess how to live and worship. Just as You instructed Moses to build the tabernacle exactly according to the pattern, You have given us a divine blueprint for Your Church through the New Testament.

Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have drifted into worldly methods, human traditions, and cultural conformity. We pray for a spirit of reformation and revival across Your worldwide body today. Help our leaders and congregations turn away from manmade patterns and return wholeheartedly to Your timeless standard.

May Your Church function with the purity, power, and presence that You intended from the beginning. Align our hearts, our worship, and our structures with Your heavenly design, so that Jesus Christ may be glorified in all things. In His holy name, we pray. Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. GOD GAVE THEM OVER / ACTS 7:42
  2. THE ASSEMBLY IN THE DESERT / ACTS 7:38
  3. BROTHERS AND FATHERS LISTEN / ACTS 7:2-53
  4. STEPHEN … GOD’S GRACE AND POWER / ACTS 6:8
  5. LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM / ACTS 6:6
  6. GIVE OUR ATTENTION TO PRAYER / ACTS 6:4
  7. FULL OF THE SPIRIT AND WISDOM / ACTS 6:3
  8. HOLY SPIRIT … TO THOSE WHO OBEY HIM / ACTS 5:32
  9. OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN / ACTS 5:29-30
  10. FULL MESSAGE / ACTS 5:20
  11. ALL OF THEM WERE HEALED / ACTS 5:15-16
  12. GREAT FEAR SEIZED THE WHOLE CHURCH / ACTS 5:11
  13. ANANIAS FELL DOWN AND DIED / ACTS 5:5
  14. WHAT MADE YOU THINK OF DOING SUCH A THING?
  15. LIED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 5:3
  16. WITH GREAT POWER / ACTS 4:33
  17. THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 4:31
  18. HEAL AND PERFORM MIRACULOUS SIGNS AND WONDERS /ACTS 4:30
  19. SERVANTS TO SPEAK WITH GREAT BOLDNESS / ACTS 4:29
  20. WE CANNOT HELP SPEAKING / ACTS 4:20
  21. SALVATION IN NO ONE ELSE / ACTS 4:12
  22. PETER FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 4:8
  23. TURNING … FROM YOUR WICKED WAYS / ACTS 3:26
  24. A PROPHET / ACTS 3:22
  25. TIME COMES FOR GOD TO RESTORE EVERYTHING / ACTS 3:21
  26. REPENT AND TURN TO GOD – TIMES OF REFRESING / ACTS 3:19
  27. IN THE NAME OF JESUS … WALK / ACTS 3:6
  28. APOSTLES’ TEACHING … FELLOWSHIP … BREAKING OF BREAD … PRAYER / ACTS 2:42-47
  29. THIS CORRUPT GENERATION / ACTS 2:40
  30. FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN AND FOR ALL / ACTS 2:39
  31. REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED / ACTS 2:38
  32. LORD AND CHRIST / ACTS 2:36
  33. THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD / ACTS 2:33
  34. IMPOSSIBLE FOR DEATH TO KEEP ITS HOLD / ACTS 2:24
  35. MY SERVANTS, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN – IN THOSE DAYS / ACTS 2:18
  36. THE LAST DAYS / ACTS 2:17
  37. SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET JOEL / ACTS 2:16
  38. PETER’S PENTECOST SERMON / ACTS 2:14-40
  39. WINE / ACTS 2:13
  40. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 2:4
  41. A VIOLENT WIND … AND … TONGUES / ACTS 2:2-3
  42. PENTECOST / ACTS 2:1
  43. APOSTLES / ACTS 1:23
  44. JOINED TOGETHER CONSTANTLY IN PRAYER / ACTS 1:14
  45. YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER / ACTS 1:8
  46. WITH [IN] THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 1:5
  47. GIFT MY FATHER PROMISED / ACTS 1:4
  48. SHOWED HIMSELF / ACTS 1:3
  49. MY FORMER BOOK / ACTS 1:1-2
  50. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

GOD GAVE THEM OVER / ACTS 7:42

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Acts 7:42

Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?

The Cost of a Hardened Heart: Understanding Acts 7:42

In his powerful defense before the Sanhedrin, Stephen delivers a sobering history lesson to the religious leaders of his day. In Acts 7:42, he utters words that should pause every believer: “But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon and stars.”

This phrase—“God gave them over”—reflects a chilling, well-established principle found throughout Scripture. It is a divine pattern proven across generations. When people persist in rejecting God, a point comes where He steps back. Those who continuously resist His grace are eventually left to the influence of evil, the deceptions of Satan, and the destructive nature of their own immoral desires. We see this same sobering truth echoed by the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:24; 1:28, where God gives rebellious humanity over to their own shameful lusts and depraved minds.

Contrary to popular modern teaching, God does not continue to extend unlimited affirmation and forgiveness without any condition or response on our part. God is rich in mercy, but His relationship with us requires an open heart. He forgives and communicates His love to those who admit their sin, turn to Him for mercy, surrender their lives to Christ, and begin following His purposes in true obedience.

For those who choose to harden their hearts, resist the Holy Spirit, and refuse to accept God’s gracious gift of salvation, there is nothing left but to face His righteous anger and judgment (Romans 2:4-6, 8). God’s love is unconditional in its availability, but salvation is conditional upon our repentance. Let us not take His patience for granted, but instead keep our hearts tender and responsive to His voice today.

Closing Prayer

Holy Father,

We come before You with reverence, recognizing the holiness and justice of Your character. Lord, Your Word in Acts 7 serves as a solemn reminder of the danger of a hardened heart. We ask that You search our hearts today. Cleanse us from any secret rebellion, pride, or resistance to Your Holy Spirit.

Forgive us for the times we have taken Your mercy for granted. We desire to live in true obedience, fully surrendered to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Keep our hearts tender, responsive to Your truth, and deeply aware of our need for Your grace. Guard us against the deceptions of this world, and let our lives bring glory to Your name alone.

In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. THE ASSEMBLY IN THE DESERT / ACTS 7:38
  2. BROTHERS AND FATHERS LISTEN / ACTS 7:2-53
  3. STEPHEN … GOD’S GRACE AND POWER / ACTS 6:8
  4. LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM / ACTS 6:6
  5. GIVE OUR ATTENTION TO PRAYER / ACTS 6:4
  6. FULL OF THE SPIRIT AND WISDOM / ACTS 6:3
  7. HOLY SPIRIT … TO THOSE WHO OBEY HIM / ACTS 5:32
  8. OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN / ACTS 5:29-30
  9. FULL MESSAGE / ACTS 5:20
  10. ALL OF THEM WERE HEALED / ACTS 5:15-16
  11. GREAT FEAR SEIZED THE WHOLE CHURCH / ACTS 5:11
  12. ANANIAS FELL DOWN AND DIED / ACTS 5:5
  13. WHAT MADE YOU THINK OF DOING SUCH A THING?
  14. LIED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 5:3
  15. WITH GREAT POWER / ACTS 4:33
  16. THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 4:31
  17. HEAL AND PERFORM MIRACULOUS SIGNS AND WONDERS /ACTS 4:30
  18. SERVANTS TO SPEAK WITH GREAT BOLDNESS / ACTS 4:29
  19. WE CANNOT HELP SPEAKING / ACTS 4:20
  20. SALVATION IN NO ONE ELSE / ACTS 4:12
  21. PETER FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 4:8
  22. TURNING … FROM YOUR WICKED WAYS / ACTS 3:26
  23. A PROPHET / ACTS 3:22
  24. TIME COMES FOR GOD TO RESTORE EVERYTHING / ACTS 3:21
  25. REPENT AND TURN TO GOD – TIMES OF REFRESING / ACTS 3:19
  26. IN THE NAME OF JESUS … WALK / ACTS 3:6
  27. APOSTLES’ TEACHING … FELLOWSHIP … BREAKING OF BREAD … PRAYER / ACTS 2:42-47
  28. THIS CORRUPT GENERATION / ACTS 2:40
  29. FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN AND FOR ALL / ACTS 2:39
  30. REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED / ACTS 2:38
  31. LORD AND CHRIST / ACTS 2:36
  32. THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD / ACTS 2:33
  33. IMPOSSIBLE FOR DEATH TO KEEP ITS HOLD / ACTS 2:24
  34. MY SERVANTS, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN – IN THOSE DAYS / ACTS 2:18
  35. THE LAST DAYS / ACTS 2:17
  36. SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET JOEL / ACTS 2:16
  37. PETER’S PENTECOST SERMON / ACTS 2:14-40
  38. WINE / ACTS 2:13
  39. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 2:4
  40. A VIOLENT WIND … AND … TONGUES / ACTS 2:2-3
  41. PENTECOST / ACTS 2:1
  42. APOSTLES / ACTS 1:23
  43. JOINED TOGETHER CONSTANTLY IN PRAYER / ACTS 1:14
  44. YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER / ACTS 1:8
  45. WITH [IN] THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 1:5
  46. GIFT MY FATHER PROMISED / ACTS 1:4
  47. SHOWED HIMSELF / ACTS 1:3
  48. MY FORMER BOOK / ACTS 1:1-2
  49. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

THE ASSEMBLY IN THE DESERT / ACTS 7:38

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Acts 7:38

This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

The Assembly in the Desert: Finding Our True Home

In Acts 7:38, during his powerful defense before the Sanhedrin, Stephen speaks of Moses, saying, “He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us.”

This phrase, “the assembly in the desert,” holds a profound truth for believers today. In Hebrew, this assembly is called the qahal, a term the Greek Septuagint translates as ekklesia—the very word we use for the “church.”

A Sacred Continuity

The church did not begin as a modern invention. There is a beautiful, unbroken continuity between God’s Old Testament people and the New Testament church. Just as Moses led the qahal through the wilderness, Jesus Christ now leads His church today.

As believers, we are spiritually grafted into this rich history. The Apostle Paul reminds us that we are “Abraham’s seed” (Galatians 3:29) and the true, spiritual “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). We inherit the same calling: to be God’s chosen people through whom He reveals His grace, plans, and purposes to all nations.

Living as Pilgrims

But inheriting this legacy also means sharing their journey. Like the ancient Israelites, the modern church is “in the desert.” We are a pilgrim church, far from our final Promised Land.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that the heroes of faith lived as strangers and exiles on the earth, longing for a better, heavenly country (Hebrews 11:13-16). The wilderness was never Israel’s permanent home, and this world is not ours.

It is dangerously easy to settle down, accumulate comfort, and act as if this present life is the destination. But the desert teaches us reliance. It reminds us that our resources, our security, and our ultimate future come from God alone. We are just passing through. When we refuse to become too comfortable with the culture and materials of this world, our hearts remain anchored in eternity.

Let us embrace our identity as the assembly in the desert, fixed on the leadership of Christ, until we finally cross over into our eternal rest.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

Thank You for grafting us into Your eternal story and calling us Your church. Forgive us for the times we have tried to build permanent homes in this temporary world, forgetting that we are merely pilgrims passing through.

As we journey through our own deserts, give us the grace to follow Jesus wherever He leads. Nourish us with Your living words, sustain us with Your presence, and keep our eyes firmly fixed on our true, heavenly homeland. May our lives reveal Your glory to the nations around us. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. BROTHERS AND FATHERS LISTEN / ACTS 7:2-53
  2. STEPHEN … GOD’S GRACE AND POWER / ACTS 6:8
  3. LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM / ACTS 6:6
  4. GIVE OUR ATTENTION TO PRAYER / ACTS 6:4
  5. FULL OF THE SPIRIT AND WISDOM / ACTS 6:3
  6. HOLY SPIRIT … TO THOSE WHO OBEY HIM / ACTS 5:32
  7. OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN / ACTS 5:29-30
  8. FULL MESSAGE / ACTS 5:20
  9. ALL OF THEM WERE HEALED / ACTS 5:15-16
  10. GREAT FEAR SEIZED THE WHOLE CHURCH / ACTS 5:11
  11. ANANIAS FELL DOWN AND DIED / ACTS 5:5
  12. WHAT MADE YOU THINK OF DOING SUCH A THING?
  13. LIED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 5:3
  14. WITH GREAT POWER / ACTS 4:33
  15. THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 4:31
  16. HEAL AND PERFORM MIRACULOUS SIGNS AND WONDERS /ACTS 4:30
  17. SERVANTS TO SPEAK WITH GREAT BOLDNESS / ACTS 4:29
  18. WE CANNOT HELP SPEAKING / ACTS 4:20
  19. SALVATION IN NO ONE ELSE / ACTS 4:12
  20. PETER FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 4:8
  21. TURNING … FROM YOUR WICKED WAYS / ACTS 3:26
  22. A PROPHET / ACTS 3:22
  23. TIME COMES FOR GOD TO RESTORE EVERYTHING / ACTS 3:21
  24. REPENT AND TURN TO GOD – TIMES OF REFRESING / ACTS 3:19
  25. IN THE NAME OF JESUS … WALK / ACTS 3:6
  26. APOSTLES’ TEACHING … FELLOWSHIP … BREAKING OF BREAD … PRAYER / ACTS 2:42-47
  27. THIS CORRUPT GENERATION / ACTS 2:40
  28. FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN AND FOR ALL / ACTS 2:39
  29. REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED / ACTS 2:38
  30. LORD AND CHRIST / ACTS 2:36
  31. THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD / ACTS 2:33
  32. IMPOSSIBLE FOR DEATH TO KEEP ITS HOLD / ACTS 2:24
  33. MY SERVANTS, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN – IN THOSE DAYS / ACTS 2:18
  34. THE LAST DAYS / ACTS 2:17
  35. SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET JOEL / ACTS 2:16
  36. PETER’S PENTECOST SERMON / ACTS 2:14-40
  37. WINE / ACTS 2:13
  38. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 2:4
  39. A VIOLENT WIND … AND … TONGUES / ACTS 2:2-3
  40. PENTECOST / ACTS 2:1
  41. APOSTLES / ACTS 1:23
  42. JOINED TOGETHER CONSTANTLY IN PRAYER / ACTS 1:14
  43. YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER / ACTS 1:8
  44. WITH [IN] THE HOLY SPIRIT / ACTS 1:5
  45. GIFT MY FATHER PROMISED / ACTS 1:4
  46. SHOWED HIMSELF / ACTS 1:3
  47. MY FORMER BOOK / ACTS 1:1-2
  48. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

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Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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