First hand Jesus

Contrast the account of Stephen in Acts 6-7 with the account of the seven sons of Sceva in Acts 19 and we see an underlying theme that has crept into Christianity today. That theme is best described in a devotional book I recently found in our library which says; "Secondhand religion is always overpowered by firsthand evil…the impotence of the Church is caused by the secondhand nature of its religion. Jesus is never available if you are preaching a secondhand Jesus. It must be out of one's own depths to the depths of the other person. Only that which comes from the heart can reach the heart."

Stephen presented a "first hand" Jesus that he knew deep within the depths of his heart. This Jesus motivated and compelled him to share the greatest love he ever knew without consideration of his own well being. This heart dwelling knowledge and love of Jesus was not encountered by the sons of Sceva. Oh they knew of Jesus, but so did their attackers.

Our actions will always reveal Who really masters our hearts.

Breaking up for harvest

I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord,
that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’
Hosea 10:12 (NLT)

The cycle of allowing God as the Master Gardener of our hearts:
When we ask Him, He will plow/break up the dry, hard, unfertilized grounds of our hearts resulting in our desire to plant seeds (deeds) of honesty, justice, integrity, goodness, kindness which will then result in a harvest of not only our love for God but those we touch.

As hard as our ground may become God's touch will ALWAYS be able to penetrate...if we open ourselves to His touch.