by Shannon Tillman | Jul 30, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
I am extremely near-sighted. Eye charts are a blur. I am thankful for my contacts, but I would love to be able to just wake up with clear vision instead of fumbling around jabbing plastic into my eyes to help me see. However, if I was given the choice of natural sight or the ability to view the supernatural, I would quickly choose the latter. The thought of looking past the world around me into the heavenly realm is absolutely amazing! I believe in this possibility for there is a man in Scripture who had the opportunity to see God’s glory in the heavens even while experiencing violent opposition on earth.
Acts 6:8-15
Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
It was a bad day: false charges, arrest, court appearance, corrupt witnesses. However, Stephen did not let the events stop the truth. He preached the longest sermon recorded in the book of Acts. The message was compelling but at that time rejected.
Acts 7:54-56
When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
The Spirit in Stephen gave insight to him that others could not see. In the midst of his difficult circumstances, Stephen looked up and saw God’s glory. He looked beyond his situation into eternity. The Holy Spirit guided him in viewing what was taking place behind the natural into the supernatural.
When I heard this verse in a message recently, I was struck with the connection made between the fullness of the Spirit and seeing the glory of God. Stephen only saw God’s glory because he was Spirit-filled. This was in the midst of a difficult situation that ultimately turned deadly. Yet, Stephen looked and saw the Lord. Stephen was being led by the Spirit, not by his own desires, even though it would ultimately cost him his life.
If we are not seeing the Lord above our circumstances, could it be an indicator that we are not full of the Spirit? Maybe we are full of our own plans, our own opinions, our own desires, our own forms of control, our own pain, our own questions, our own bitterness, our own pride, our own justification, our own victimization. Instead of seeing God, we see a problem without Providence. When full of ourselves, we cannot look beyond what is going on to the One who is above it all. When we are full of the Spirit, the supernatural overtakes the natural and we can trust that God’s glory will be the ultimate good in the situation for ourselves and others.
Stephen experienced this, although he never saw the outcome. He was martyred that very day. However, one of the chief orchestrators of his death, a man named Saul, became the greatest champion of the gospel of Jesus. Saul, whose name was later changed to Paul, transformed the world with his evangelism and letters to the churches which now make up a bulk of the New Testament. I believe the beginning of Paul’s journey toward Jesus started when a Spirit-filled man named Stephen looked beyond his situation to behold the glory of God.
My prayer for us is for the Spirit of God to fill us today enabling us to see the world through the lens of the supernatural. How different would our view of life be if our focus was on the Lord and not on our circumstances? When our vision is full of God, we then can testify to others about the glory of God revealed to us. Hopefully, by God’s grace, others will then be transformed by the Lord as well. It starts with us choosing to be full of the Spirit, not full of ourselves. Then, we will truly see life clearly.
by Shannon Tillman | Jul 23, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
I talk a lot. Words seem to constantly flow out of my mouth. And when there is a situation that I consider unfair, I have many thoughts to share with the Lord and others on the matter. I proclaim faith in my difficulties; however, I discovered from this verse in Isaiah what my words actually show, which is a shallowness in my trust in God.
Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
This verse was a prophesy of the trial of Jesus. In the book of Matthew, we see the fulfillment:
Matthew 23:12-14
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
The most unjust situation in history was the mock trial and death sentence of Jesus. However, in the midst of these heinous acts, Jesus said nothing. He gave no word of defense. Why? He trusted God’s plan. Jesus knew that the Lord was completely sovereign over every event. He did not recoil from the difficulties. Instead, He embraced them for what they were, a divine orchestration of events, which though horrendous, were designed to bring about a greater good, the ultimate good, which was the salvation of people throughout the world and throughout time.
The words I speak in my unjust situations are a stark contrast to the silence of Jesus. Why? Because I do not trust God’s plan. I have opinions on how I think events should take place and how people should be handled. I dislike what I am experiencing and so my complaints to the Lord and others are the opportunity to vent my feelings. I am looking for a way out, not trusting the way through. While I believe God can work all things for good, I do not want to experience the bad to see the good God will orchestrate. I am not concerned about how others will benefit; I just want my pain to end.
My words show my wavering trust in the long term as I cry out for relief in the short term. The silence of Jesus showed a faith that was solid and focused on eternity. My complaints focus on myself. The silence showed the focus of Jesus on others, on me. Jesus stayed silent for me: to save me, to forgive me, to cleanse me. I need to now learn how to be silent to show my trust in Him.
by Shannon Tillman | Jul 16, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
Often, artwork portrays the view of the cross. The cross is situated in the sense that we are looking in the direction of Jesus. One day, I imagined the viewpoint of what Jesus saw from the cross. He would have seen the crowds, many mocking Him with words. Jesus looked upon the soldiers who crucified Him, as well as the two thieves who were crucified on either side of Him. He saw His mother, Mary, as well as the beloved disciple named John. There were women in the crowd, followers of Jesus, who stayed close by. From studying the viewpoint from the perspective of Jesus, what can we learn from this position of the cross?
Jesus Forgave the Crowd
Luke 23:34
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Jesus Forged a new Family
John 19:25-27
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Jesus Found a Lost Sheep
Luke 23:39-43
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus was Forsaken by God
Matthew 27:45-46
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
Jesus Felt Need
John 19:28-29
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.
Jesus Finished God’s work
John 19:30
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
The position of the cross teaches us how to live. We are called to forgive all the people who have harmed us. We are to connect others to bring them together as the family of God. We are to proclaim the good news, even when it seems too late or the person seems “too far gone”. We are encouraged to cry out to the Lord during hardships, even while being thankful that we will never be forsaken like Jesus was by God. We are not to ignore or minimize the difficulties of life, as if that is a “more spiritual” way, but we are to honestly express our needs to those around us. And we are to continue until we finish the work God has called us to do.
The place of the death of Jesus, shows us how to live a life like Jesus. Look not only to the cross, but from the cross to understand how to live because of the cross.
by Shannon Tillman | Jul 9, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
I recall walking down a sidewalk with my niece who was around ten years old at the time. It was a hot, sunny day. On the sidewalk were hundreds of shriveled, brown, dead earthworms. It was disgusting. My niece named the sidewalk, “the valley of the shadow of death”. (She could and still finds humor in anything.) A struggling earthworm caught on the burning pavement became to her a source of compassion. I would have left the disgusting thing behind, but she wanted to help the poor critter survive by moving him into the cool grass. It was an easy transport for her as a “giant” to move the worm to refuge which was beyond reach to the worm due to the distance, the concrete, and the sun. One earthworm survived for another day.
I am reminded of this story whenever I read this verse:
Isaiah 41:14
Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
An entire nation is like a tiny, helpless worm to the Lord. The worm is helpless in its circumstances, overcome by the many obstacles against it. The nation of Israel had many foes to contend against.
Isaiah 41:12-13
“All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
All, the many, that would come against Israel, all would become as nothing at all. Why? Because the Lord helped them. The Lord, a “giant” above the circumstances, chose to pick up and help a tiny nation to protect it from permanent annihilation. Other nations would be destroyed, by one nation would be saved, not by their merit but the heart of God toward them.
Isaiah 41:8-9
“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
Even though throughout history Israel rejected God, the Lord did not reject them. There was discipline of course for their disobedience, but He always showed His love toward them, gave them mercy, and kept His promise to them as a nation as evident even today.
There are times I utilize these verses to pray. I remind the Lord that I am like a worm, not able to navigate the circumstances against me. Without divine help, I will shrivel up in these situations. I ask for His help, not because of anything worthwhile on my part, for what can a worm offer the owner of the universe? Yet, in His tender compassion, He helps even me.
Whatever you may be going through today, please know this: the Lord is not walking by, disgusted by you or oblivious to your circumstances. He desires to help because of His deep compassion for you. God will not leave you on the burning sidewalk of life but will pick you up and take you to the “green pastures”. No situation is too difficult for Him. Do not be afraid. The Lord rescues worms, like you and me.
Psalm 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
by Shannon Tillman | Jul 2, 2026 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
It happened AGAIN. I thought I had settled the matter. I would trust God despite the spiraling down of circumstances. But as the tears ran down my cheeks, I realized I had once again pressed into the questions, the doubt, the fear, the pain. The situations crushed me as the seemingly unanswered prayers washed over me. Suddenly, I realized the storms of life were minimal compared to the storm within me. I needed Jesus to speak to my storm.
Mark 4:35-39
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
Jesus spoke to two natures that day. He spoke to the physical nature of the wind and the waves. However, He also spoke to the nature inside man, inside the disciples, inside me.
Mark 4:40
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Why are you responding to your circumstances instead of trusting me? We may respond with fear, control, depression, anger, bitterness, withdrawal, repression, avoidance, or a host of other options which combat faith. Yet, we are called to trust. Trust that Jesus is with us, trust that Jesus has a plan, trust that Jesus is in control, trust the timing Jesus has for us, trust that Jesus will overcome, trust, trust, trust.
We do not trust because in essence we do not know Jesus.
Mark 4:41
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Who is this? That is our question as well. For if we really knew, there would be no hesitation to trust. There would be no other response but to believe. What do I not yet know about Jesus that limits my faith? Thankfully, though, my little faith does not diminish the greatness of God. Although the disciples did not have faith, Jesus still calmed the storm. While there is much I still need to learn of Jesus, I do know He will calm the storm inside of me.
