Acts 7:55-60 v 55 “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing at the place of honor at God’s right hand!”
And he told them, “Look I see the heavens opened” Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. The accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus receive my spirit.” “Lord don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that he died.
Stephen ‘s primary role as a deacon in the early church was to give out food to the widows. He was also a great speaker and as we see in this passage had visions as well. And it was these gifts of speaking out about the visions he saw that led to his stoning death, with Saul standing by. Although our main role in a church could be more practical like Stephens, we must also go deeper as Christians in our faith journey. Those practical skills of serving others, offering hospitality and looking after the poor and widows do not exempt us from prayer, studying the scriptures and allowing the Holy Spirit to show us how to guide others to a deeper faith journey. Stephen full of the Holy Spirit saw the glory of God. Keep your gaze steadily on heaven this week!
Prayer: Heavenly Father who gives us all gifts that come easily, help us this week to nurture the gifts that are not so easy as we gaze steadily to heaven. Amen.
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