Words of Grace – July 23, 2015
The first Christian martyr was a man named Stephen. As he was being stoned to death for his faith, he called out to his Savior, saying: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59).
As a result of the persecution of the church that followed, those who were “scattered abroad” went to the city of Antioch, “preaching the word” (Acts 11:19). “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed, and turned to the Lord” (v.21).
Barnabas was sent by the church to encourage the new believers in Antioch. When he arrived and saw “the grace of God,” he “was glad.” Then he “exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (v.23).
What good advice that is for us today! How we need to purpose in our heart to keep on cleaving to the Lord. “But cleave unto the Lord your God, as you have done unto this day” (Joshua 23:8). This was the desire of Fanny Crosby:
“Savior, more than life to me, I am clinging, clinging close to Thee. Let Thy precious blood applied keep me ever, ever near Thy side. Every day, every hour, let me feel Thy cleansing power. May Thy tender love to me bind me closer, closer, Lord to Thee.
