“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’ And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
“And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:1-7
Once filled with the Spirit, the apostles got to work to change the world. Early persecution scattered them to places God would claim more and more disciples, and the continual guidance and boldness from the Holy Spirit effected widespread and multiplied belief. Through preaching, praying, and serving others the truth was spread. God used His word spoken, pleaded, and practiced to draw His children to passionate obedience and ministry. (Acts 2:1-11; 4:1-4; 5:17-21,40-42)
The wider we look in the world, the more dissension, disenfranchisement, and despair we see. This world needs the word of God. It needs people who are willing to preach with honesty and boldness. It needs people callousing their knees in fervent prayer. It needs the hands and feet of Jesus to provide practical needs in a winsome way to set the gospel’s hospitable table of grace.
Where and how are we participating in God’s mission to the world? We may be called to seasons of preaching, seasons of praying, seasons of serving. Certainly all are integral parts of the Christian life. Are we committed no matter where and what?
Are we ready for both the public and hidden ministries, willing for the glamorous and the menial? How eager are we to follow God’s lead in any assignment, dependent on and filled with His Spirit, so His work, not ours, is accomplished? He’s gifted us for specific works, and appoints us to specific tasks, working into us humility as He works out of us His ends. (Acts 17:24-27; Romans 12:3-8,12; Ephesians 2:10)
“A charge to keep I have,
a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,
and fit it for the sky.
To serve the present age,
my calling to fulfill,
O may it all my pow’rs engage
to do my Master’s will!
Arm me with watchful care
as in Thy sight to live,
and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare
a strict account to give!
Help me to watch and pray,
and still on Thee rely,
O let me not my trust betray,
but press to realms on high.” ~Charles Wesley (1762)
Lord, keep me fervent and zealous for You wherever You appoint in every season, that Your word, love, and grace might be seen, and that You be loved and honored.
As the rain and snow 