POWER IS AVAILABLE!
Many times, I've wished I could see into the unknowns of the past. Oh, how I would love to have been a fly on the wall when Jesus was alone praying to his Father, when he was in the desert being tempted of the devil or when he was doing powerful miracles. There were so many things of the past that I would love to have witnessed; This story today of Stephen is one of those.
Acts 6:8-10 "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous 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. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10 but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.”
God was not only using Stephen for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ; he was also demonstrating his miraculous power through him. After being decisively defeated in the debate they had with Stephen, the jealousy and self-righteousness of these men got the best of them, so they hired some men to lie about Stephen and had him arrested. While these men, in the courtroom, were testifying lies against Stephen, everyone began to stare at Stephen because his face became as bright as an angel from heaven. The supernatural power of God came upon him to testify of the glory of God and the truth of Jesus Christ.
Acts 6:15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Something that was supernatural, obvious and powerful came upon Stephen, and everybody could see it! These people, who would soon kill Stephen, were forced to witness an undeniable manifestation of the glory of God on earth. I believe God allowed this because of the amazing love he had towards these people who hated him. What a powerful moment that would have been if you could have been a fly on the wall!
Think about this: Since God is the same yesterday, today and forever, and because God wants revival in our nation, I wonder how many powerful things God has planned to happen through simple people like you and me? Stephen had a real relationship with the living God! He lived a life that focused on God and his purposes. Because of this, he was prepared and ready for the moment when God’s glory was revealed! The Bible declares that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Col 3:1 But, if you read further on in the story, Stephen sees heaven opening and Jesus Christ standing to receive him, even before his death. I believe Stephen was receiving a standing ovation from heaven with Jesus Christ leading it. Oh, what a glorious moment this was!
I am praying for you today. May you be challenged today to, like Stephen, be a person who is known to be full of faith and God's grace and power! May your life be a living testimony of heavens purposes here on earth! May all you do be a reflection of a loving, intimate relationship with our amazing God! Come on… Let's press in! God is present, and His…