Tag Archives: Stephen

Become extraordinary (Acts 6), October 17, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Acts 6

Set – Job 2; Acts 6

Go! – Job 1-2; Acts 6-7

Acts 6
1 Things were going well, and the number of disciples was growing. But a problem arose. The Greek-speaking believers became frustrated with the Hebrew-speaking believers. The Greeks complained that the Greek-speaking widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. 2 The twelve convened the entire community of disciples.
The Twelve: We could solve this problem ourselves, but that wouldn’t be right. We need to focus on proclaiming God’s message, not on distributing food. 3 So, friends, find seven respected men from the community of faith. These men should be full of the Holy Spirit and full of wisdom. Whomever you select we will commission to resolve this matter 4 so we can maintain our focus on praying and serving—not meals—but the message.
5 The whole community—Greek-speaking and Hebrew-speaking—was very pleased with this plan, so they chose seven men: Stephen (a man full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit), Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (a Greek-speaking convert from Antioch). 6 These men were presented to the apostles, who then prayed for them and commissioned them by laying their hands on them. 7 The message of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples continued to increase significantly there in Jerusalem. Even priests in large numbers became obedient to the faith.
8 Stephen continually overflowed with extraordinary grace and power, and he was able to perform a number of miraculous signs and wonders in public view. 9 But eventually a group arose to oppose Stephen and the message to which his signs and wonders pointed. (These men were from a group called the Free Synagogue and included Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicians, and Asians.) 10 The Holy Spirit gave Stephen such wisdom in responding to their arguments that they were humiliated; 11 in retaliation, they spread a vicious rumor: “We heard Stephen speak blasphemies against Moses and God.”
12 Their rumor prompted an uprising that included common people, religious officials, and scholars. They surprised Stephen, grabbed him, and hauled him before the council. 13 They convinced some witnesses to give false testimony.
False Witnesses: This fellow constantly degrades the holy temple and mocks our holy law. 14 With our own ears, we’ve heard him say this Jesus fellow, this Nazarene he’s always talking about, will actually destroy the holy temple and will try to change the sacred customs we received from Moses.
15 The entire council turned its gaze on Stephen to see how he would respond. They were shocked to see his face radiant with peace—as if he were a heavenly messenger.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Everyone can show grace every once in a while. Everyone can be kind to someone else or show mercy to another of their fellow-man. Everyone can give to another on occasion or comfort someone who is hurting or in need. Everyone has some spark of decency within them when some special occasion calls for it. No one is complete and pure evil because I created each person in My image.

However, Stephen continually overflowed with extraordinary grace and power. Did you get that? It came about because Stephen gave himself to Me. He decided he no longer wanted to follow the ways of man and would follow Me. So Stephen emptied himself and let Me fill his life with My Spirit. He let Me direct his life. When he saw someone in need and I nudged him to do something about it, he didn’t hesitate, but instead, went out of his way to do what he could to help that person.

Stephen mimicked My actions when I walked alongside you in the flesh. When he saw someone hungry, he gave them food. When he saw someone sick, he did what he could to minister to their ills. When he saw someone in prison, he cared for them and ministered to them. When he saw widows and orphans who could not care for themselves, he cared for them. Stephen did what I did when he saw others around him that he could help.

So what made Stephen so different from everyone else? The difference was his upper room experience. He was a man full of faith and filled with the Holy Spirit, My Spirit. He prayed through on the morning of Pentecost and found what I asked him to find. He found Me that morning in all My glory as Stephen let Me live in him as his comforter and guide. With Me living in him, Stephen could wear the countenance of an angel. He could be at peace in front of the Sanhedrin who accused him of blasphemy even when innocent of the charges. He could face death at the hands of false accusers and false witness and ask for their forgiveness because his spirit was given over to My Spirit.

You can do the same. Stephen wasn’t special, except he gave himself to Me. Then, Stephen became extraordinary!

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

We always have a choice (Acts 7:20-43), Jan 31, 2015

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Today’s Podcast


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Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Acts 7. And God says:

Stephen began to lay out the story of My people well before the Jewish leaders the day of his trial. He pointed out several key issues with every story he relayed to the leaders as he recited their history. In every story I brought to his mind, the key feature was the choice made. In this one, the Israelites made a poor one.

Despite their witness of the plagues on the unbelieving Egyptians, they failed to follow the instructions I gave Moses. Despite the miracle of the Passover and the sacrifice in every Egyptian household while they escaped the death angel’s march, they chose other gods. Despite their crossing of the Red Sea on dry land and the destruction of Pharaoh’s army in their sight, they did not believe Me. Despite the miracles they saw at My hand freeing them from the oppressive slavery in Egypt, they failed to follow Me.

Stephen comes to the climax of his testimony soon. The Israelites chose trinkets they could see instead of the Eternal God of Creation they could not see. They failed to trust Me even though they saw all the miracles I performed for them across those several months to free them and make them into the nation I promised Abraham.

Moses believed and I used him to lead My people. He never lost sight of the promise I had given his ancestors and the promise I made him that day at the bush that burned but was not consumed. Stephen believed and I used him to witness to all who heard his testimony then and in the centuries to come who would hear and read his words. I gave him a special blessing by opening the windows of heaven and letting him view My Son at My side on My throne before he died.

Paul believed and I let him glimpse heavenly wonders few have experienced this side of eternity so he would not waiver in his testimony to the world despite the arrests, beatings, stoning, and other intense persecutions he would face as My messenger. He wrote much of the scriptures and put in place the teachings that would spread around the globe of the love I want others to know because of the relationship I have always wanted with you.

But all of these had a choice, as do you. Each person has a choice as to whether or not you will follow Me. You can choose to believe in Me or to follow your own way. I will warn you of this, though. I made it plain when I walked with man on the earth in human flesh and said, “I am the way, no man comes to the Father except by Me.” You choose. Your way or My way?

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Acts 7:20-43
Set – Exodus 29; Acts 7
Go! – Exodus 28-29; Acts 7

Acts 7:20-43
20 Into this horrible situation our ancestor Moses was born, and he was a beautiful child in God’s eyes. He was raised for three months in his father’s home, 21 and then he was abandoned as the brutal regime required. However, Pharaoh’s daughter found, adopted, and raised him as her own son. 22 So Moses learned the culture and wisdom of the Egyptians and became a powerful man—both as an intellectual and as a leader. 23 When he reached the age of 40, his heart drew him to visit his kinfolk, our ancestors, the Israelites. 24 During his visit, he saw one of our people being wronged, and he took sides with our people by killing an Egyptian. 25 He thought his kinfolk would recognize him as their God-given liberator, but they didn’t realize who he was and what he represented.

26 The next day Moses was walking among the Israelites again when he observed a fight—but this time, it was between two Israelites. He intervened and tried to reconcile the men. “You two are brothers,” he said. “Why do you attack each other?” 27 But the aggressor pushed Moses away and responded with contempt: “Who made you our prince and judge? 28 Are you going to slay me and hide my body as you did with the Egyptian yesterday?” 29 Realizing this murder had not gone unnoticed, he quickly escaped Egypt and lived as a refugee in the land of Midian. He married there and had two sons.

30 Forty more years passed. One day while Moses was in the desert near Mount Sinai, a heavenly messenger appeared to him in the flames of a burning bush. 31 The phenomenon intrigued Moses; and as he approached for a closer look, he heard a voice—the voice of the Lord: 32 “I am the God of your own fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” This terrified Moses—he began to tremble and looked away in fear. 33 The voice continued: “Take off your sandals and stand barefoot on the ground in My presence, for this ground is holy ground. 34 I have avidly watched how My people are being mistreated by the Egyptians. I have heard their groaning at the treatment of their oppressors. I am descending personally to rescue them. So get up. I’m sending you to Egypt.”

35 Now remember: this was the same Moses who had been rejected by his kinfolk when they said, “Who made you our prince and judge?” This man, rejected by his own people, was the one God had truly sent and commissioned by the heavenly messenger who appeared in the bush, to be their leader and deliverer.

36 Moses indeed led our ancestors to freedom, and he performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness over a period of 40 years. 37 This Moses promised our ancestors, “The Eternal One your God will raise up from among your people a Prophet who will be like me.” 38 This is the same one who led the people to Mount Sinai, where a heavenly messenger spoke to him and our ancestors, and who received the living message of God to give to us.

39 But our ancestors still resisted. They again pushed Moses away and refused to follow him. In their hearts, they were ready to return to their former slavery in Egypt. 40 While Moses was on the mountain communing with God, they begged Aaron to make idols to lead them. “We have no idea what happened to this fellow, Moses, who brought us from Egypt,” they said. 41 So they made a calf as their new god, and they even sacrificed to it and celebrated an object they had fabricated as if it was their God.

42 And you remember what God did next: He let them go. He turned from them and let them follow their idolatrous path—worshiping sun, moon, and stars just as their unenlightened neighbors did. The prophet Amos spoke for God about this horrible betrayal:

Did you offer Me sacrifices or give Me offerings
during your 40-year wilderness journey, you Israelites?
43 No, but you have taken along your sacred tent for the worship of Moloch,
and you honored the star of Rompha, your false god.
So, if you want to worship your man-made images,
you may do so—beyond Babylon.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Expect persecution (Acts 6), Jan 30, 2015

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Today’s Podcast


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Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Acts 6. And God says:
In the western world you don’t see much persecution. People like to complain they do, the Ten Commandments are removed from public places. The government prohibits prayer to Me in public ceremonies. Christian holiday names are changed to avoid offending others. But I don’t think of that as persecution, really. All those things are nuisances you can put up with if your faith is strong.

Real persecution still goes on, though. More now than ever in the history of My church. Brave men and women hold onto their faith in the face of torture, financial ruin, loss of everything including their family, even death. And in those countries where persecution seems greatest, My church grows faster than ever.

There is something about those who stand for Me in the face of persecution that others see. Like with Stephen, I give them a joy they cannot explain to others in the middle of that persecution. Yes they suffer the temporary pain that the circumstances bring, but they also feel My presence. They know I am with them in the midst of all their suffering and I will not leave them. They know I live and I live in them.

Expect the world to hate you. There has and will be a battle between good and evil until the end of time. But the end of time may not be as far away as you think. Persecution will increase for those who follow Me. I foretold it and it will happen. But remember, I will never leave you alone. I will stay with you. The momentary suffering will seem as nothing compared to the eternal joy I have in store for you.

So, until I return, take lessons from Stephen, Paul, Peter, and the other apostles, the early Christians and today’s Christians in many lands face persecution. None enjoy it, but they face it knowing that they share in the same suffering My Son faced. They know the world hated him for no reason and they will hate you for no reason…other than you carry the name of Christ. Your perseverance will build My kingdom. It will help others recognize My kingdom is not of this world. It will show others I am worth the worship you give Me.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Acts 6
Set – Exodus 27; Acts 6
Go! – Exodus 25-27; Acts 6

Acts 6
1Things were going well, and the number of disciples was growing. But a problem arose. The Greek-speaking believers became frustrated with the Hebrew-speaking believers. The Greeks complained that the Greek-speaking widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. 2 The twelve convened the entire community of disciples.

The Twelve: We could solve this problem ourselves, but that wouldn’t be right. We need to focus on proclaiming God’s message, not on distributing food. 3 So, friends, find seven respected men from the community of faith. These men should be full of the Holy Spirit and full of wisdom. Whomever you select we will commission to resolve this matter 4 so we can maintain our focus on praying and serving—not meals—but the message.

5 The whole community—Greek-speaking and Hebrew-speaking—was very pleased with this plan, so they chose seven men: Stephen (a man full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit), Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (a Greek-speaking convert from Antioch). 6 These men were presented to the apostles, who then prayed for them and commissioned them by laying their hands on them. 7 The message of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples continued to increase significantly there in Jerusalem. Even priests in large numbers became obedient to the faith.

8 Stephen continually overflowed with extraordinary grace and power, and he was able to perform a number of miraculous signs and wonders in public view. 9 But eventually a group arose to oppose Stephen and the message to which his signs and wonders pointed. (These men were from a group called the Free Synagogue and included Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicians, and Asians.) 10 The Holy Spirit gave Stephen such wisdom in responding to their arguments that they were humiliated; 11 in retaliation, they spread a vicious rumor: “We heard Stephen speak blasphemies against Moses and God.”

12 Their rumor prompted an uprising that included common people, religious officials, and scholars. They surprised Stephen, grabbed him, and hauled him before the council. 13 They convinced some witnesses to give false testimony.

False Witnesses: This fellow constantly degrades the holy temple and mocks our holy law. 14 With our own ears, we’ve heard him say this Jesus fellow, this Nazarene he’s always talking about, will actually destroy the holy temple and will try to change the sacred customs we received from Moses.

15 The entire council turned its gaze on Stephen to see how he would respond. They were shocked to see his face radiant with peace—as if he were a heavenly messenger.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.