WHO THREW THAT ROCK?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Acts 7: 54. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with
their teeth. 55: but he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. 57: Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58: And cast him out of the city, and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young
man’s feet, whose name was Saul. 59: And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60: And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are
called according to His purpose. 31. What shall we then say to these things? IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE
AGAINST US? 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulations, or distress, or persecutions, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36. As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are counted
as sheep before the slaughter. 37. NAY, IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS, THROUGH HIM
THAT LOVED US. 38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,nor things present, nor things to come, 39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD, which is in CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.
1. Personal note:
I do appreciate your prayers. I have had a series of battles with my eyes for 13 years. I was in a volleyball game accident and broke some ribs and detached my retina’s, I have had many eye surgeries, I have a schlare buckle and three sponges
in my left eye. I have new lens, cataract surgery 3 times, had the envelope the lens sits in removed. And as a result of all this trauma I have developed a terrible case of glaucoma, high eye pressures. It should be at the most 17, mine has been 37, and
recently 32. This causes the optic nerve to cup, or cave in, and then all there is will be tunnel vision.
We have come through several crisis in the last few years, in December, I developed an allergic reaction to the powerful medicine and I didn’t realize it and continued taking the medicine. This made things worse. The pain was so bad, I scheduled with the specialist and he was immediately concerned and has taken some strong measures, added others. The doctor is
amazed that with all the trauma, that my vision is still so good. We know this is the hand of the Lord.
The new medicine is very painful, but must be taken faithfully to stop long term damage. I saw the eye doctor DEC 19 and Jan 6 and will soon go back. Well, the enemy tries to use fear of tomorrow and blindness.
My one eye doctor has Blindness candidate written on my folder. Wow, does that test your faith?
I am 51, and this is usually an older person’s disease. I was around 38 when the accident occurred. So I must say I am very appreciative of every prayer on my behalf. I do see now as good as when I was a teenager. This battle plays games with my spirit man. I can’t explain. I was blind about a month, after the surgery and wow what a battle this is with my mind and heart! Years ago after a bad surgery, the doctor said, it is now up to God!
One Wednesday night, I was at the end of my rope, God restored my distance vision and about 2 weeks later my reading.
You know I write a lot and I love to write. I have more in my heart than I could ever pen.
So the last several weeks have been a great test to my faith. I have been here before, and deliverance always came. The pain is for short periods of time, but I could not stand it for very long time. This pain can start a terrible headache.
I know this is a spiritual test. I have not stopped writing, studying or praying. I wrote 10 hours yesterday, when the anointing comes I can’t stop. Time stands still. Linda has to remind me to stop and eat when I get into the flow!
2. MINISTRY TAKES MANY FORMS.
I am a taxi cab to several old widows that have no family or means to pay to travel. We go to the grocery store, to doctor’s offices, to the lab work and etc. I do give one lady shots of insulin as she needs them. Matbe singing in the rest home?
I have not seen with my eyes the growth I would like to see, and sometimes this creates self doubt.
Several years ago, I voluntarily gave up my TV watching, to minister in writing and on the computer. This never takes my pastoral time, but my leisure time. With the tool of the computer I touchmore than in face to face encounters. Somehow, some pastors in
crisis find me, and how I love to help them resolve crisis and encourage them. I am amazed at how God teams me up with these pastors from many areas and different denominations. I love to do this. I really love to encourage and work with pastors. Most recently a pastor in Ohio has come under the gun, and God helps me with the words and thoughts to keep him a float.
3. I HAVE BEEN IN A PARSONAGE MOST OF MY LIFE!
I was raised in a pastor’s home. My dad is the best pastor I have ever known, his footsteps loom before me!
Dad has pastored 52 years in 5 states and 14 churches.
I have pastored full-time 22+ years. I know the pain and heavy load that pastors carry, and I know there are few places little pastors can go without enlarging the problems.
Some have worked and resolved the problem, and stay where they are, others found release and launch into a new field.
If I have earned any trophies it is in this unseen area of ministry to ministers. Many times, as we have found the avenue of resolve, the pastor doesn’t need me any more, and like a momma bird I release them to fly.
It has been rewarding to have a pastor call or come by to say thanks, but I am not looking for thanks, I want to encourage others in little places and struggling works. I usually say about my work, if you only have limited time, pass my work on to someone else instead of writing me a note of thanks. I need help in enlarging my hands.
I love to pray! I love to let the Holy Spirit guide my prayers. Some times I know who I am praying for, and this has been confirmed, some times I don’t know, but the Holy Spirit knows.
Many that I intercede for will never know, and that is my best investment for the Kingdom’s sake..
O, that I had a thousand hands to raise to my Savior. O, that I had a thousand tongues to sing of His glory.
Sure, people have people problems; sure many ministries carry much hurt and have experienced some low blows, but this is why we are here. Every movement of faith or the flesh has a great ripple effect.
By theory, one rock thrown in a lake will move every molecule in the lake. So every step of faith to God’s word has a ripple effect! Every action demands a reaction science teaches us.
By doing nothing and idleness we also limit or handcuff the Almighty. Nothingness also causes a ripple effect through the family and churches.
I traveled 6 years picking gospel music, and I learned to love applause, but there is nothing like study and one to one ministry. We must edify and lift another out of the pit of discouragement.
4. WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
The church is where believers meet together on a regular basis. The church is not always a perfect model and great examples to follow. The church is not a collection of perfect people coming together as a perfect body that does everything perfectly.
The church is kind of like a hospital, where basket cases can come with their spiritual, emotional, financial, family, and individual problems. People have always disappointed God, but God still builds the church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!
Sick people should be welcomed in the church, but you are badly mistaken if you think the church is the only collection of sick people. The world is full of sick people, not just the church. As people recognize the signs and symptoms of sin, we identify the cause, and we allow the Holy Spirit to bring about the changes that will grow us and the church. The world can change,
one person at a time!
As we look in the church, many people wear mask to cover up or at least partially hide their real identity. Let’s say, some people come to church with a false face. They like to hide under the pretense to cloak and conceal what they really are. That is OK, God can still work!
Often the mask are worn for protection to hide their hurt and pain. Still some love to masquerade at social gatherings and pretend to be something they are not. Some cannot let others see their real inside, they are broken, spilled out, and in ruins.
A good church will slowly peel back the layers of disgust and disguise, until the individual can see their God potential. The Bible, praise, worship and love can help bring the bad behavior to the LIGHT, and the LIGHT will expose the bad habits and tear down the excuses, so healing can come.
The church should challenge and bring individuals face to face with what they are and what they need to be.
God ’s best work is as a person faces up to what they are, and they see the bigger picture of what God wants them to be. The church must help people see what may be unpleasant and deal hope to grow into the plan of God.
We should be so honest with God and self that we desire to correct the problems that hinder our hearts.
The tools of the church that bring change are: prayer closets, devotion to Bible study, the Holy Spirit,
a commitment to the family, and great faithfulness to the church.
5. MANY OF THE RELIGIOUS PERSUASION KNOW HOW TO THROW ROCKS.
MANY WITH IN THE CHURCH ARE VERY GOOD AT THROWING ROCKS WITH GREAT ACCURACY.
Many have been so critical and judgmental within the church that they are expert rock throwers.
They can throw a rock from a great distance and hit the target with marksmanship expertise!
Those good at throwing rocks don’t care if they occasionally miss the target for which they aimed and hit others with their hard hearted rocks of anger and bitterness.
Are you a good rock thrower? Are you an expert at criticism and faultfinding? Can you tell everyone else what is wrong?
Those that enjoy throwing rocks couldn’t care less if they hit a baby right between the eyes?
If you are throwing mud, you are the one loosing ground?
6. WHO WILL MINISTER TO THE MINISTER i HAVE OFTEN ASKED GOD?
WHO WILL MINISTER TO THE MASKED MAN? WHO CARES FOR THE BROKEN?
WHO WILL CARRY HOPE TO THE MAN THAT HAS A ROCK EMBEDDED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS FOREHEAD?
I have walked some lonesome trails with twists beyond my ability to understand. On my journey, seems I will find a little shepherd so beaten and battered, and I say I came this way for you!
Churches can be so selfish and mean, they don’t mean to be like Job’s friends, it just happens.
Pastors can reflect the pain and develop the ATTACK MODE to those he is called to serve.
I believe in God! I must trust His Word! My belief in God will alter how I should handle hurt, attack, and pain!
Ministry is all about relationships. Before we can reach effectively toward heaven, we must reach toward man.
The LOVE of GOD must affect our daily relationships, or we tell our religion is in vain.
I do not know why so many religious people love to throw rocks. Seems I can’t stop the rock throwing?
But I can encourage and give hope to those bruised and battered rock catchers?
7. There are several ways that WE KNOW IF WE LOVE GOD! THE FRUIT IS TANGIBLE!
A. A SIGN THAT TELLS: BY KEEPING GOD’S COMMANDMENTS.
1 John 2:3. And hereby we do know that we KNOW HIM, IF WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS.
4. He that saith, I KNOW HIM, and keepeth not His Commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
B. A SIGN THAT TELLS: BY LOVING PEOPLE
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
1 John 3:14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because WE LOVE THE BRETHREN,
He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1 John 4: 7. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth
God. 11. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another.
8. THE JOURNEY AWAY, IS AN ALL TELLING STORY!
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have no doubt continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Biblically, being faithful and continuing or quiting tells something about the person in service.
Today, we have many GRASSHOPPER PROPHETS, jumping from here to there, telling the faithful what is wrong
with them, when they have never rooted down any where.
These GRASSHOPPER PROPHETS are never satisfied with the temperature where they are. They fail to realize
that they set the temperature, not thermometers, but rather thermostats. I can take you to several that want to minister but they don’t want to be faithful. They jump from church to church, sowing discord, and they have left a trail of pain behind their works. They ponder, Why doesn’t God open doors for me? They will never evaluate themselves or their lacking of responsibility. History is clear, here today --- gone tomorrow.
9. PASS THE SEDATIVE, PLEASE!
I KNOW HOW TO HELP THE WHOLE, KILL THE LIONS IN THE LIONS’ DEN!
We may be thrown into the lions den, but I have never heard that God throws in a pair of dental pliers and a sedative to tranquilize and calm the lions, while we pull the lions teeth.The teeth are still there. We must accept the PROMISE to
receive the DIVINE PROVISION! It is the problem between the promise and the provision that will build the church!
We need more than water and Band-Aids! We need to trust God.
If we cannot stop the lions? If we cannot stop those from throwing the rocks, then we are going to have to
learn how to deal with the rock throwers and face the lions!
10. HOPE KEEPS ONE PURE AND ANCHORED.
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this HOPE in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.
Because people have the tendency to watch and judge people that are not as spiritual as me, they will move on,
until they find the perfect group and warm by their fire? They will polish their skills at rock throwing, and will wound many other people. We must see how others have handled the rocks thrown at them.
But God had a plan for Job’s friends and for little old Job.
You and me have not been called to know the spotlight of TBN.
You and me have not been called to carry showoff trophies to glimmer for others to see.
You and me have been overlooked by the fellowship’s political committees.
You and me have not achieved the awards of the government recognition.
You and me have caught a few rocks thrown our direction!
You and me have ran toward other areas to catch the rocks that someone else threw at someone else,
hoping to spare the weaker of a few pains.
We are kind of like little miniature Mother Teresa’s!
Mother Teresa fed millions down through the years, and millions are still hungry today.
But there is a little smile from a little nobody where we brightened their corner. What is that hug worth?
I just want to be the hand of Jesus extended to little people. I owe Jesus a debt I could never repay.
Sure, I have up and down days, sure many rocks have been thrown in my direction, but my heart knows faith
shines brightest when I am so down and feel my worthlessness, but hey, it was never my worth anyway,
it is the worth of the suffering of the cross, I must reflect that worth.
You in your littleness have forgotten about heaven? You have been talked about, put down, misunderstood, and not appreciated as you should have been. You have known how cruel people can be at throwing rocks.
Some seem to be like the sharks, they smell blood and go into the attack mode.
I offer myself as a living sacrifice, may I not be the one seen.
May the fragrance I carry ooze the Rose of Sharon and the Lilly of the Valley?
11. SEE THE ROCK THROWER, OR SEE THE VISION OF JESUS!
Maybe your friends and your family have been a disappointment to you.
Lift up your head.
Lift up your head, look, look ... can’t you by faith see Stephen’s vision ---
Look someone is standing in front of the throne.
Look --- look close --- IT IS JESUS, He is standing, He is moved by compassion.
Jesus is cheering for you! Feel how close His coming is?
Jesus is not sitting idly by, look the Father is sitting in His throne,
JESUS IS TOUCHED BY YOUR GIFT OF LOVE ... JESUS WANTS YOU TO SEE HIM!
There is no book of Stephen, there is no great sermon from Stephen!
Stephen was just the little food passer outer, but he moved Jesus so much, that while the rocks hit him,
Stephen’s vision expanded, sure Stephen felt the rocks hit him and bruise him, but what can a rock do ---
when you see JESUS?
--- LOOK MY SPECIAL BELOVED FRIEND...
JESUS IS STANDING, HE KNOWS YOU!
HE ACCEPTS YOUR LITTLE OFFERING TO THE WIDOW AND THE ORPHAN.
LOOK JESUS SEES YOUR EFFORT BEHIND THE SCENES FOR HIS CHURCH.
Jesus heard your prayers. Jesus loves you.
Jesus, help my friend, help my friend look up, not look out. It does not matter who threw the rock!
Again, it does not matter who threw the rock, --- when you see Jesus!
It doesn’t matter who said what, --- when you see Jesus.
It does not matter if you have been a disappointment and your trophies are so few, --- when you see Jesus.
It does not matter if you are a janitor or nursery worker --- if you see Jesus.
Jesus, come a little closer, my friend has not seen you yet.
May you see Jesus --- so that the HOPE of the Rock will give birth to new faith and a new hope.
Let me ask you a question, HOW CAN YOU SINK THROUGH A SOLID ROCK?
Baby, you can’t, this Jesus rock is sure, tried and proven. Hang on, let go, here comes another incoming rock...
Hear the prayer of one that has seen Jesus --- Lord, lay not this rock to their charge...
Acts 7:59 says Stephen prayed with a loud voice....Forgive them, a clean slate ---
How could you pray this prayer after catching a rock ... BECAUSE YOU LOOKED UP AND SEEN JESUS.
FATHER FORGIVE US, WE HAVE SEEN THE ROCK THROWER, WE HAVE SEEN THE ROCKS THROWN,
WE HAVE FELT THE PAIN, BUT NOW LORD, TEACH US TO LOOK UP AND SEE THE ONE STANDING NEXT
TO THE FATHER.
JESUS THE LESSON IS --- BEHOLDING THE OPEN HEAVENS, AND THE SON OF MAN STANDING AT THE
RIGHT HAND OF GOD.
Father, I have failed, I wanted what is not mine. I wanted glory and pats on the back. I have looked to people,
I have looked for friends and family to rescue me. I have thought about revenge and getting even. I have ignited
the self distructing bomb of anger. I have looked for people approval, --- MAKE ME TO SEE ...
12. OH, I WANT TO SEE HIM!
I HAVE SEEN JESUS, IT WILL BE OK.
I HAVE SEEN JESUS, ... HIS HAND REACHES THIS WAY.
I HAVE SEEN JESUS, HIS EYES ARE SO KIND.
I HAVE SEEN JESUS, I CAN MAKE IT THROUGH ANOTHER TRIAL OF MINE!.
I have seen Jesus, while others have plugged their ears, and have visionless eyes and bullheaded hearts.
They seem to be ignoring God’s message.
I HAVE SEEN JESUS, EVERY TABLE I HAVE SERVED, EVERY FOOD BASKET CARRIED,
EVERY OFFERING GIVEN, --- EVERY HISSING, SNORTING CRITICISM CAST THIS WAY,
--- I HAVE SEEN JESUS, I AM SO GLAD THAT I BROUGHT THIS WORK OFFERING TO LAY AT YOUR FEET.
FATHER, I TAKE MY SHOES OFF, FOR I STAND ON HOLY GROUND!
THEY CAN’T TAKE MY LIFE, I GIVE IT!
We lay no blame on them, they haven’t seen Jesus!
I did all this, Jesus, and I haven’t seen you either, but it was faith...
Today it is no longer faith, my faith ends in SIGHT ... THERE HE IS! What a trade? Rocks for Jesus!
Maybe Saul standing holding the coats will see Jesus in me.
While, I never wrote a chapter in the Bible, I wrote a chapter in the heart of Saul.
Someday Saul will become Paul, and the way I handled the rocks will spur Paul to write...
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are
called according to His purpose. 31. What shall we then say to these things? IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST
US? 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulations, or distress, or persecutions, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36. As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep before
the slaughter. 37. NAY, IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS, THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US.
38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to
come, 39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD,
which is in CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.
Stephen says: "I wish I had written that!"
We are children of the Promise! If you have been catching ROCKS, look up ... nothing else matters, but --- a vision of Jesus! He is standing for you!
Don’t throw that rock back!
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers @aol.com I need you on my team, could you pass this on to others?
