Unstoppable! 'Joy Comes in the Morning' — Acts 8:4-8

Friday, April 24, 2026

[After the death of Stephen,] the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.
— Acts 8:4-8 NLT

Key Thought

Let that last sentence fall like refreshing rain on parched soil: "So there was great joy in that city." Out of Stephen's horrific death, the Jerusalem followers of Jesus were scattered as persecution mounted against them. Despite the agonies these believers endured, they shared the Good News of Jesus wherever they went. The result of this heroic evangelism? Joy! I am reminded of the words of the psalmist:
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
(Psalm 30:5b)
The early disciples knew they carried an unstoppable message of a Messiah who conquered death. Yes, they experienced weeping, but the joy of the Lord reawakened them to their mission!

Today's Prayer

O Father, may my generation of your people experience the joy of salvation and refuse to let anything stop us from sharing the Good News of Jesus' triumph over death. Holy Spirit, come fill us with your reassuring presence and empower us to make a difference in our world for Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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10 Related Resources by Heartlight

Acts 8:4
Devo: Today's Verse
"Those who had been scattered [at the stoning of Stephen and the outbreak of subsequent persecution] preached the word wherever they went."
Near and Far
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Friend, The verses you read below are from Acts chapter 8. They tell of the scattering of My followers from Jerusalem. This scattering began..."
Scattered
Illustration of Acts 8:4
Inspirational illustration of Acts 8:4 -- Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
Genuine Sorrow
Devo: Unstoppable!
"Saul was one of the witnesses [to Stephen's being stoned to death], and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of..."
See All 10 Related Resources about Acts 8:4-8

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 8:4-8 NLT — [After the death of Stephen,] the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, April 24, 2026

What Jesus Did!
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'Gate for the Sheep' (Jn. 10:7-8)
"[Jesus explained his statements about the gate and the sheep:] "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves..."
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'Guidance for Seeking Hearts'
"Dear Follower, I promised My followers that the Holy Spirit would guide them in their witness to the nations (Acts 1:8). Today, I want to talk to you..."
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'Don't Take Your Spirit Away' (Ps. 51:11)
"Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Living as a New Creation' (Ga. 6:12-18)
"Dear Father, creator of new creations, Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me..."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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