"But be ye doers of the word, not hearers only,
deceiving your ownselves." - James 1:22

One morning he arose from a night's sleep,  not knowing that this was the day that God was  going to answer his prayer.

Steve had become a Christian and it was  obvious to everyone that he was serious about  his conversion.  He was a man full of faith and 
walked in the Spirit of God, serving the Lord  Jesus in a variety of ways.

It was his all-out commitment to Christ that  was going to be put to the test today.

Steve had a prayer.  Now, I don't claim to  know the exact wording of his prayer, but I  imagine it went something like this...

"Lord Jesus, make my life count today.  Use  me in some way to further Your Kingdom.  Lord,  whatever the cost, whatever the price, I want  people to know what You have done in my life.   Make my life count today, Lord.  Amen."
 

I can just imagine Steve praying that prayer,  day after day.  I can just envision him kneeling  before the Lord with his heart outstretched,  asking Him to let others see something different  about Him, to let others see that He had made a  commitment to the Son of God.

You see, Steve's relationship with Christ was  more than just religion.  It was more than shallow  words and empty promises.  It was more than 
mere convenience...

...it was a love so deep that it shined from  everything this man said and did.  Just looking at  him, you knew he had something special in Christ.

And so, I can hear him praying that prayer,  "Lord Jesus, make my life count today.  Use me  in some way to further Your Kingdom.  Lord, 
whatever the cost, whatever the price, I want  people to know what You have done in my life.   Make my life count today, Lord.  Amen."

One day, Christ answered that prayer.

One day, it was if the Lord said, "Thank you,  Steve.  Today I need someone to do something  very special for me.  Today I need someone to exhibit what it means to be a real Christian."

And in Acts Chapter 8 verses 58-60 we find  that Steve, also known as Stephen, made his life  count.

He showed the world an unswerving faith in  Jesus Christ.  He exhibited a relentless  commitment to the Savior.  He paid the highest  cost when he gave everything he had to give,  even his own life.

He didn't back down, sneak off, hesitate or fall  down in fear.  Instead, he preached the Gospel  with his life and walked the narrow road to the 
end.  

And people took note.

I can't help but think that the Apostle Paul,  who had not yet been converted and was at the  scene of Stephen's death, I can't help but think that the Apostle Paul could never shake the  thought from his mind of this young man giving  His life for Jesus Christ.  I can't imagine Paul ever getting that image out of his head, that image of  Steven, blood dripping from his wounds as they  pounded him with stones, crying out to Jesus, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge."

He saw something different in Stephen.  He  saw the message of Jesus...

...faith and forgiveness.

Christian, are you making your life count?  Do  people see something different in you?  Is your  relationship with Jesus Christ more than just 
religion, more than shallow words and empty  promises?

My friend, may they see the message of  Jesus shining brightly from our lives.  May they  see an unswerving commitment to Christ Jesus as we walk the narrow road, even if it means,  even if it means paying the ultimate price.  May  they see it in everything we say and do.

Can you pray that prayer today?...