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--- jn_en_2018_05_08 [2018/05/08 09:36] – potthast
+++ jn_en_2018_05_08 [2018/05/08 09:50] (current) – potthast
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-[[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/de/jn_de_2018_05_07|Deutsche Version]] [[Start|| Wiki Start]]
+[[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/de/jn_de_2018_05_08|Deutsche Version]] [[Start|| Wiki Start]]
 [[topics_collection_ix|| Topics Collection ix ]]
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 </color> (from Acts 7)
+Let me first note that Stephen as the other apostles of his time does not fear conflict. He is telling
+people where they fail. He is directly attacking his audience, telling them where they commit murder and
+betrayal. These speeches are very clear and demand decisions. You can be for it and against it - being
+without a decision or reaction is difficult to do.
 {{ 2018:2018_05_08_2.jpg}}
-**  ...**
+** Heart and Ears ...**
+Stephen points to "uncircumcised hearts and ears". You can be part of the church - indicated by circumcision
+for the Jews. But your heart can be far from God. You can be part of the church, but you do not hear and you
+do not listen and act. Stephen points to a long history of such behaviour. And indeed, a lot of the Old
+Testament is about God struggling with the Israelites, to follow his spirit.
+We are not better today. We can be Christians, can be member of some church. Yet: are our hearts circumcised -
+to stay in this image. Is our heart fully with God? Do we understand him? Do we long to listen and to do?
+Are we full of truth, of trust, do we have a genuine upright heart? Do we follow God's commands? Today this
+is about Jesus himself, about his words, his commands, his guidance!
+The holy spirit is there to guide us. We can follow the spirit, yes, we can listen and do. Stephen invites us
+to make our own decisions. What about me? What about you? Do we hear, do we understand? Do we follow? Come,
+go into prayer today, and ask the Lord to guide you through the spirit. Tell him that you want to follow.
+And then, when you start to see, then do! Go ahead in the spirit. It is possible, today, and tomorrow!
 (Roland Potthast)
 [[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/en/topics_collection_ix|... further texts]]
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