The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Acts 6:8,
"Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people."
The Holy Spirit came to the church on Pentecost and empowered the disciples in a way that emboldened and energized them. This was a fulfillment of what Jesus promised on the day he ascended into heaven. In Acts 1:8 Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
When each of us embraced Jesus Christ in faith we received the promised Holy Spirit as well. Still today the Holy Spirit enables us to fulfill what needs to be done to further God's purposes here on earth. Where Stephen performed great wonders and miraculous signs, that which the Lord wanted done at that time, so we carry out what the Lord wants done today.
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 we read, "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines."
Throughout history the Holy Spirit has been enabling his saints to participate with the Lord in what he does in each generation. To me it is a wonder to see just how the Lord works in our lives today through the Holy Spirit.
"Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people."
The Holy Spirit came to the church on Pentecost and empowered the disciples in a way that emboldened and energized them. This was a fulfillment of what Jesus promised on the day he ascended into heaven. In Acts 1:8 Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
When each of us embraced Jesus Christ in faith we received the promised Holy Spirit as well. Still today the Holy Spirit enables us to fulfill what needs to be done to further God's purposes here on earth. Where Stephen performed great wonders and miraculous signs, that which the Lord wanted done at that time, so we carry out what the Lord wants done today.
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 we read, "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines."
Throughout history the Holy Spirit has been enabling his saints to participate with the Lord in what he does in each generation. To me it is a wonder to see just how the Lord works in our lives today through the Holy Spirit.
Back in Stephen's day, the Holy Spirit was busy "birthing" the church, bringing it into being, establishing it throughout the world. If we think in terms of being on the other end of the church age (toward the end of the age), what intentions might the Holy Spirit have for us today? What specifically might he be pursuing today that might not have been a focus in Stephen's day?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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