Encouraging Notes

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Power Is Available

I’ve often 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, or when he was in the desert being tempted of the devil, or when the disciples were doing powerful miracles. One of those powerful moments I would have loved to have witnessed is in our narrative today.

Acts 6:8-10  “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous 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. These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.”

God was not only using Stephen to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ; he was demonstrating his miraculous power through him. After being decisively defeated in their debate with Stephen, the jealousy and self-righteousness of these men got the best of them, and they hired some men to lie about Stephen and had him arrested. While these men were testifying lies against Stephen in the courtroom, everyone began to stare at Stephen because his face began to glow like the face of an angel from heaven.

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.

An unmistakable, supernatural power came upon Stephen in front of all who were watching. 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 his boundless love for those who hated him. Wow! I wonder what it would have been like to experience the power and anointing of heaven that came upon this mighty man of God!

Based upon Scripture, we know that Stephen had a real relationship with God and focused his life on His purposes. Because of this, he was prepared for the moment God’s glory would be revealed! Consider 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 release through simple people like you and me?

The Bible declares that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Col 3:1 During this profound encounter, Stephen saw the heavens opening and Jesus Christ standing to receive him, even before his death. Wow! I believe Stephen was receiving a standing ovation from heaven with Jesus Christ leading it. Oh, what a glorious and powerful moment this was!

My dearest friend, I am praying for you today! May these powerful truths of Steven’s life challenge you to also be a person who is full of faith and full of God’s grace and power! Yes, may your life be a living testimony of heavens purposes here on earth by being a demonstration of what a loving, intimate relationship with our amazing God looks like! Come on! Let’s press in! God is with you, and His…

Power Is Available