Unveil the Reality
28 Daily Devotionals from The Book of Acts
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For Your Enemies
What lies within the heart of an intercessor that would move him, in the face of persecution, to pray for his enemies? What degree of love is poured out from the throne room of heaven that cries out for mercy even in the face of injustice? In modeling the same public display of affection as that of Jesus on the cross, Stephen—faced with certain death—fell to his knees in worship and cried out loudly that the Lord would pardon the sin of his murderers.¹ In beholding the glory of the Lord, Stephen would never come to witness what this seed of a prayer would ultimately produce in the unrepentant heart of a man witnessing his death: Saul of Tarsus.
What is yet to become of your enemies through your intercession? Are you aware of the power you have to alter the trajectory of the lives of those sent to harm you? Saul of Tarsus, later to become the apostle Paul, helps us to see that even unto death, the Lord works “all things together for good to those who are called according to His purpose.”² In the timeless essence of our God, His promise extends even to those who have yet to be called and to those who have transitioned into eternity.
Stephen’s address to the council threw the religious leaders into a fit of rage, accusing him of blaspheming against God. Yet not a word spoken out of the mouth of Stephen was devoid of scriptural truth. It is clear to see that the hearts of the council were in fact hardened to truth, and in turn, resistant to the work of the Holy Spirit. Familiarity with the word of God does not equate to the intimate knowledge of the truth that is revealed through the Holy Spirit. Hate blinds the heart to truth, and therefore, God’s truth cannot be spoken or received where there is an absence of love.
Imagine for a moment what would become of this world if we would love in action through intercessory prayer. God, in His infinite wisdom, used the last, seemingly tragic sentence in Stephen’s book of life as the opening statement of the apostle Paul’s story of redemption. Do not harden your heart to the Lord’s call for you to pray for those who persecute you³, for when you do, you honor the Lord’s command to love in this way. This sort of love comes not by the might of human effort, but by the internal workings of the Holy Spirit. Trust in the Lord’s ability to take the most awful circumstance and use it for the ultimate good of His kingdom. The Lord is faithful to His promises even unto death. Stephen never did live to see the mighty work of the Lord through Saul, but on account of his prayer, a notorious murderer was transformed into a mighty apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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About the Book
In order to remain steadfast, believers must have a deep and intimate understanding of the truth concerning God’s word. In Unveil the Reality, authors Norka Jenkins and Tayler Jenkins offer a twenty-eight-day devotional geared toward helping you go deeper in your relationship with God.
Norka and Tayler take you on a journey through the book of Acts as you learn how to identify and surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit in order to walk in the fullness of the confidence, boldness, and authority given to those who are united with Jesus.
Through daily readings, reflection questions, and guided prayers, you will receive the divine impartation of the Lord’s love, wisdom, revelation, and understanding as you undergo the transformation of your mind and conform more into the image of Christ.
About the Author
Norka Jenkins is a wife, mother of three, and career professional in the Greater Houston area. She gave her life to Christ as a young adult in 1992 and has served in ministry in various capacities over the past 28 years. In 2004, Norka and her husband Ty relocated from California to Houston shortly after receiving a word from God to sell their home and move to Texas. Her life has since been devoted to growing in her service to the Lord, her family and her ministry in the marketplace. Norka’s desire is to help young believers grow deeper in their knowledge of Jesus, know their identity in Christ, discern truth, and walk in their unique purpose with boldness and authority empowered by the Holy Spirit. Norka hopes to establish a legacy of faith that contributes to the growth and edification of the body of Christ for generations to come.
Tayler Jenkins is a gifted writer, performer and choreographer whose creative works emphasize her love and passion for fusing faith with artistry as a means of inspiring confidence and establishing a sense of purpose in the lives of those she touches. After graduating from Texas State University with a degree in dance performance and choreography, she founded Anthem Performing Arts Studios, a non-profit organization devoted to equipping and empowering the rising generation of performing artists with foundational tools and principles needed to forge long-term success both in their artform and in their faith. For more information, visit anthemstudios.org. Currently, Tayler is on staff part-time at her local church where she faithfully serves congregants as they aspire to go deeper in their knowledge and relationship with the Lord