“All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” Acts 6:15.
Stephen had defended himself before his zealous religious adversaries and had withstood their arguments. Having suffered defeat, Stephen’s adversaries brought him before the Sanhedrin, the religious governing body of Israel, and false accusations had been put forward against him. Instead of reacting to the charges, Stephen stood in his own defense, and, as everyone present strained to see him, it was said that Stephen’s “face was like the face of an angel.”
I wonder what the face of an angel looks like. I used to think of chubby, cute, little baby-like creatures that fly around with silly smiles on their faces, but somehow I don’t think that this is as Stephen’s face appeared. Imagine what Joshua felt when confronted with an angelic creature. When he saw this angel’s appearance, he was struck with fear and had to be told not to fear. This mighty warrior was afraid at the appearance of an angel. Wow! Now this is more like it! I have an easier time imagining Stephen’s face appearing as a mighty warrior of God, shining forth His holiness and grace.
I look in the mirror and struggle to see any resemblance of such strength, grace, and mercy. Yet my desire is to have such a countenance. I believe that this man, Stephen, was, indeed, a dangerous warrior for God’s purposes, and at least one of his zealous adversaries, who had witnessed all of these proceedings, was soon to be transformed by Stephen’s words as well as his “angelic” countenance. Saul, who would become Paul, would never be the same again.
Questions to consider: What expression do you and I carry on our faces? Do we carry the expression that conveys our hope in God, or some other one? How does the expression on our face tell the world around us what we believe and where our hope is?
Prayer: Father, help me to remember the hope that we have in You, and help me to express Your hope to a lost and dying world around me through the “angelic” expression on my face. Amen.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
July 24, 2008 - Acts 6:13
“They produced false witnesses, who testified, ‘This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.’” Acts 6:13.
Stephen, who was performing amazing miracles out in public for all to see, was speaking eloquently concerning the message of Jesus. Zealous religious authorities appeared on the scene to argue against him but could not prevail. As a result, these authorities “produced false witnesses” to testify against Stephen before the Sanhedrin, the religious governing body in Israel. Their argument sounded eerily similar to the one put forward against Jesus, at His trial - and we know what happened to Him. Stephen, too, knew this all too well.
Yet he stood strong and there is no record that he ever folded, squirmed, or appeared nervous as he put forth his response to the charges levied against him. When “false witnesses” put forth their half-truths, he did not react but instead calmly, intentionally, and proactively presented his case. If that had been me in that situation, I am not so sure how I would have responded or, more accurately, reacted. Instead of presenting the case for God’s activity through Jesus in this world, I might have worried more about justifying myself before those authorities. Imagine what it must have been like to be brought before the authorities because of a misunderstanding of your religious beliefs. Wouldn’t you want to justify yourself? Yet Stephen did not seek to do so. He argued in defense of God’s activity in human history through Jesus, the Messiah!
Questions to consider: How would you handle being falsely accused? Would you respond or react – be proactive or be reactive – to false testimonies brought against you? What lesson(s) can you learn from Stephen’s response to these false testimonies?
Prayer: Father, help me to remember that this life is not all about me, but instead, it is all about You. Give me courage to lay down my own desire to protect myself in order to present You in a life giving and Spirit-led way. Amen.
Stephen, who was performing amazing miracles out in public for all to see, was speaking eloquently concerning the message of Jesus. Zealous religious authorities appeared on the scene to argue against him but could not prevail. As a result, these authorities “produced false witnesses” to testify against Stephen before the Sanhedrin, the religious governing body in Israel. Their argument sounded eerily similar to the one put forward against Jesus, at His trial - and we know what happened to Him. Stephen, too, knew this all too well.
Yet he stood strong and there is no record that he ever folded, squirmed, or appeared nervous as he put forth his response to the charges levied against him. When “false witnesses” put forth their half-truths, he did not react but instead calmly, intentionally, and proactively presented his case. If that had been me in that situation, I am not so sure how I would have responded or, more accurately, reacted. Instead of presenting the case for God’s activity through Jesus in this world, I might have worried more about justifying myself before those authorities. Imagine what it must have been like to be brought before the authorities because of a misunderstanding of your religious beliefs. Wouldn’t you want to justify yourself? Yet Stephen did not seek to do so. He argued in defense of God’s activity in human history through Jesus, the Messiah!
Questions to consider: How would you handle being falsely accused? Would you respond or react – be proactive or be reactive – to false testimonies brought against you? What lesson(s) can you learn from Stephen’s response to these false testimonies?
Prayer: Father, help me to remember that this life is not all about me, but instead, it is all about You. Give me courage to lay down my own desire to protect myself in order to present You in a life giving and Spirit-led way. Amen.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
July 17, 2008 - Acts 6:9b-10
“These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.” Acts 6:9b-10.
Stephen, one of the seven new servant leaders of the early community of followers of Jesus, was being used of God to do amazing wonders and miracles in Jerusalem. As he was performing these acts, Stephen was telling the story of Jesus, the Messiah, who was the one responsible for these amazing things. Not only did he attract those who were in need and who were curious, Stephen attracted those who were hostile to the message, and it was these men who “began to argue with” him. As today’s verse indicates, these men were unable to stand up to Stephen’s arguments, as he was guided by the Holy Spirit.
I do not believe that Stephen was looking for an argument, yet he did not back away from one, when it came his way. I tend to be the type of person that avoids conflict, so I would be very uncomfortable in this scene. I know other people who love a good argument and would not back away from one. In fact, these people may tend to say things that “bait” the conversation just to see if there is the possibility of arguing about something. These people just seem to like a good fight, for it is sport to them. This was not the case for Stephen and his confronters. The issues for these men were very serious and were matters of life and death. They argued with Stephen because they believed that he proclaimed a false or heretical message. Yet, Stephen frustrated their efforts.
Questions to consider: How do you respond to when arguments start occurring around you? If you tend to avoid arguments, like me, what would it take for you to “argue” on God’s behalf? What issues are worth arguing for?
Prayer: Father, help us to not argue for arguments’ sake. Help us to always have Your Spirit in those times and to have a sense of Your love for those that we face in the moment of confrontation. Amen.
Stephen, one of the seven new servant leaders of the early community of followers of Jesus, was being used of God to do amazing wonders and miracles in Jerusalem. As he was performing these acts, Stephen was telling the story of Jesus, the Messiah, who was the one responsible for these amazing things. Not only did he attract those who were in need and who were curious, Stephen attracted those who were hostile to the message, and it was these men who “began to argue with” him. As today’s verse indicates, these men were unable to stand up to Stephen’s arguments, as he was guided by the Holy Spirit.
I do not believe that Stephen was looking for an argument, yet he did not back away from one, when it came his way. I tend to be the type of person that avoids conflict, so I would be very uncomfortable in this scene. I know other people who love a good argument and would not back away from one. In fact, these people may tend to say things that “bait” the conversation just to see if there is the possibility of arguing about something. These people just seem to like a good fight, for it is sport to them. This was not the case for Stephen and his confronters. The issues for these men were very serious and were matters of life and death. They argued with Stephen because they believed that he proclaimed a false or heretical message. Yet, Stephen frustrated their efforts.
Questions to consider: How do you respond to when arguments start occurring around you? If you tend to avoid arguments, like me, what would it take for you to “argue” on God’s behalf? What issues are worth arguing for?
Prayer: Father, help us to not argue for arguments’ sake. Help us to always have Your Spirit in those times and to have a sense of Your love for those that we face in the moment of confrontation. Amen.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
July 10, 2008 - Acts 6:8
“Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.” Acts 6:8.
Stephen was one of the seven honored by being selected to serve within the community. He was also said to be full of the Spirit of God and wisdom. In today’s verse, we see that he is also “full of God’s grace and power,” and that he “did great wonders and miraculous signs.” We can only imagine whether these signs and wonders were similar to the ones Jesus had performed when He was among the people. In any case, it was clear that Stephen was moving in some amazing ways that many others were not graced.
Stephen must have been aware that whenever someone moves in such dynamic power, they become a lightning rod of sorts. Not only do they attract the attention of those in need, but they also attract the attention of the opposition, whoever that may be. Consider what happened to Jesus, Stephen’s Master, and, also, to the present leaders of his community, Peter, James, and John. They were persecuted, yet all remained faithful to the message. Stephen, too, stayed faithful in the midst of growing dissension. It did not matter to him that he was a lightning rod, for he was empowered to speak forth his message in both words and actions.
The signs and wonders are not what attract me so much to Stephen. Instead, I am awed by his faithfulness and his strength of character exhibited. I believe that this is why he was “a man full of God’s grace and power.” I am challenged to be that type of person, no matter the end result.
Questions to consider: What kind of person do you think Stephen was? What kind of person do you desire to be? What are you doing today to be that person? What steps can you take today that will help you to grow as that person?
Prayer: Father, it is my desire to be a person that is full of Your grace and power. Please help me to make positive choices that will help me to grow in Your character, integrity, and faithfulness. Amen.
Stephen was one of the seven honored by being selected to serve within the community. He was also said to be full of the Spirit of God and wisdom. In today’s verse, we see that he is also “full of God’s grace and power,” and that he “did great wonders and miraculous signs.” We can only imagine whether these signs and wonders were similar to the ones Jesus had performed when He was among the people. In any case, it was clear that Stephen was moving in some amazing ways that many others were not graced.
Stephen must have been aware that whenever someone moves in such dynamic power, they become a lightning rod of sorts. Not only do they attract the attention of those in need, but they also attract the attention of the opposition, whoever that may be. Consider what happened to Jesus, Stephen’s Master, and, also, to the present leaders of his community, Peter, James, and John. They were persecuted, yet all remained faithful to the message. Stephen, too, stayed faithful in the midst of growing dissension. It did not matter to him that he was a lightning rod, for he was empowered to speak forth his message in both words and actions.
The signs and wonders are not what attract me so much to Stephen. Instead, I am awed by his faithfulness and his strength of character exhibited. I believe that this is why he was “a man full of God’s grace and power.” I am challenged to be that type of person, no matter the end result.
Questions to consider: What kind of person do you think Stephen was? What kind of person do you desire to be? What are you doing today to be that person? What steps can you take today that will help you to grow as that person?
Prayer: Father, it is my desire to be a person that is full of Your grace and power. Please help me to make positive choices that will help me to grow in Your character, integrity, and faithfulness. Amen.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
July 3, 2008 - Acts 6:7
“So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:7.
The members of the community of followers of Jesus were spreading the word about God’s love for all people through His Messiah and Son. Because of this, the religious authorities were upset and sought to silence them. These followers of Jesus were steadfast and totally committed to this new hope in God, and they withstood the persecution that came their way. As a result of this wholeheartedness, many people in the region of Jerusalem, including priests, become sincere followers of Jesus, the Messiah.
Isn’t it interesting that a “large number of priests” became followers of Jesus? There must have been something about the genuine nature of these early followers that attracted them, and conversely, there must have been something within that lacked genuineness about their priestly activity that left a sense of emptiness and longing for more. I know about myself that I am drawn to someone that I perceive is genuine. I also know that I am repelled by someone who I perceive lives a charade. The early believers were forged by trials and came through with a authentic devotion to their Master, Jesus, and it was noticed.
Questions: Have you faced the trials in your life, and how has your faith in Jesus Christ helped you to genuinely face them? Do you put on a religious front that masks the reality of life’s marks on you, or is your faith an outgrowth of the trials that you have faced and you have been strengthened by them?
Prayer: Lord, help me to face the trials of life and to be forged by them, so that I might be a more genuine follower of Yours. Give me strength to follow You in the midst of the trials that I face. I know that I believe; please help my unbelief and lack of faith. Amen.
The members of the community of followers of Jesus were spreading the word about God’s love for all people through His Messiah and Son. Because of this, the religious authorities were upset and sought to silence them. These followers of Jesus were steadfast and totally committed to this new hope in God, and they withstood the persecution that came their way. As a result of this wholeheartedness, many people in the region of Jerusalem, including priests, become sincere followers of Jesus, the Messiah.
Isn’t it interesting that a “large number of priests” became followers of Jesus? There must have been something about the genuine nature of these early followers that attracted them, and conversely, there must have been something within that lacked genuineness about their priestly activity that left a sense of emptiness and longing for more. I know about myself that I am drawn to someone that I perceive is genuine. I also know that I am repelled by someone who I perceive lives a charade. The early believers were forged by trials and came through with a authentic devotion to their Master, Jesus, and it was noticed.
Questions: Have you faced the trials in your life, and how has your faith in Jesus Christ helped you to genuinely face them? Do you put on a religious front that masks the reality of life’s marks on you, or is your faith an outgrowth of the trials that you have faced and you have been strengthened by them?
Prayer: Lord, help me to face the trials of life and to be forged by them, so that I might be a more genuine follower of Yours. Give me strength to follow You in the midst of the trials that I face. I know that I believe; please help my unbelief and lack of faith. Amen.
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