Good morning, Lord Jesus. In Your grace and from Your embrace, I seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, as I begin my day in the intimacy of Your Presence - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God.
"Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue ... and others from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke" (Acts 6:8-9).
I love the story of Stephen because he was like you and me and we can be encouraged from him. Stephen was not one of the 12 apostles; he was simply like you and I, a servant of Jesus. He was not a learned scholar; he was a student of the faith. He was just a person who sought to live his life in "good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom ... a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit" (v. 6:3-5). Yet the Holy Spirit anointed him and empowered him, and did "great wonders and signs" through him. And the Holy Spirit desires to do the same through every one of us in the authority of the name of Jesus and the power of the Spirit -- "through those who believe" (Mark 16:17-18).
Father God, lay Your hands upon me today. Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit today. With the authority of the name of Jesus in my words and the nature of Jesus growing in my heart, do great wonders and signs of Your love and grace through my life. Just like Stephen, I'm Your servant and I'm Your son -- a child of God, being filled up to overflowing with the same power and the same nature that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11). Display the glory of Your power and love, Your wisdom and grace, through me today -- "Christ in (me), the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you will ask the Holy Spirit to be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit, full of God's grace and power, for the Father to display His glory, His great wonders and signs, through your life today, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friends!
One Direction Community is fasting today, the first Monday of the month emphasizing and seeking the “spiritual food” to grow our faith. We will fast through our gathering tonight from 6:00pm-7:30pm of a time of simple, secret prayer. You are welcomed to join in and fast with us today and attend if you are in the Madison. Al area.
Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.
Help us continue our ministries to those “no one else wants” in our community with a fear end one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below. Donations by checks can be made out to "ODC" and mailed to: One Direction Community, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758