“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, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty…’ They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus… 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.
“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people… Then some… rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking… And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and… seized him and brought him before the council… And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel…
“When they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him… As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.'” Acts 6:2-3,5-10, 12,15; 7:54-60
Stephen is noted in the Scriptures for being filled with the Holy Spirit. His powerful presence manifested itself in Stephen’s servant’s heart, his wisdom, faith, persuasion, and angelic countenance. The Spirit who had saved him dwelt within and filled him to the end, expressed in his clear, bold articulation of truth and uncanny, gracious forgiveness of his murderers.
The ministry of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life is ongoing, often undetected or unappreciated, always potent. When we’re saved unto salvation, we receive Him as a guarantee of eternal life and our very present help, comfort, goad, teacher, power, and peace. He indwells us and makes His mark in various areas of our lives as we avail ourselves of His influence. Our trouble is that we forget Him. He sanctifies as we cooperate by yielding to His transforming work, and resides still when we ignore His activity and available power. (John 14:16-17,26-27; 16:8,13-15,33; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:13-14)
Do we enjoy moments with God, visits to church or quick prayers in Jesus’s name, and neglect the Spirit who always abides within? Where have we forsaken His power, forgotten our great potential to conform to His will, resist sin, exercise our gifts effectively, love well, discern, overcome evil with good, think rightly, serve with gusto? Where are we professing Christ but not manifesting His Spirit? Regular filling with and by the Spirit affects everything. (Romans 12; Ephesians 5:18)
Lord, this day, may Your Spirit make an eternal difference in all I think, say, and do.
As the rain and snow 