Rejoice:

Read:

⁸ Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹ 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. ¹⁰ But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

It’s interesting to see how Stephen (who is an incredibly key player in the expansion of the Gospel) is empowered by the Spirit. We read that first off there was no way for the opposition to stand against it. God provides and provides abundantly! However, note what prompts the movement…. “as he spoke.” For Stephen to become this keystone of the Gospel being spread he must begin acting. He had to open his mouth and SPEAK. 

The Spirit will provide, but He isn’t going to take over your body and control you causing you to step out. He doesn’t strip you from your ability. Instead, He calls you to begin to act so that He can provide. In this motion we practice/enact trust. When it’s time to engage and we begin to move God begins to fill. Instead of sitting back and waiting for someone else to step in Stephen, like David standing in front of Goliath, knew God would sustain His Word. He has decreed Christ is Lord, Stephen trusts God to sustain this Truth!

We must act. That’s true. Yet, it’s for the sake of the Gospel not out of selfish ambition against masks, social distancing, BLM, or anything else YOU may have an issue with. Stephen spoke out about the Gospel and the Spirit provided. Too many of us have forgotten 2 Corinthians 5:20 “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” How is that message going to be presented alongside so much hate about something that only affects your temporary life? Is that even how an ambassador lives? Should we be talking about things God has not instructed us to?

We must realize as the Church that the Spirit provides when we defend the Gospel, not our pride.

 

Respond:

God keep me from thinking I am being righteous when I am defending my own point of views. Help me to see when my flesh is leading me. I know that I am prone to be deceived… Open my eyes and reveal my heart. I pray, as David did in Psalm 139 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Amen.

Relate:

Share some love today! Lots of people are sad, angry, discouraged, AFRAID! Share some love with the people you see. Give everyone a big smile, it’s contagious! I tell my oldest son that he has the ability to bring joy to people who are deeply longing for it. He can do this all the more because he is a cute kid, but we can too! lol