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Read: Acts 6:8
Meditation: A short verse but an effective one. Stephen was a man
"full of God’s grace." He was a child of God, devoted
to Christ and His teaching. He didn’t have a lot of letters behind or
in front of his name (e.g... Rev., P.H.D.). He was simply a man who
loved God. God tells us to study His word, meditate on it, and look to
Him for guidance. He wants us to be devoted to His Word no matter what
faces us in our life. Whether we are a pastor, teacher, doctor, or
unemployed, God calls us to be faithful to His Word.
Prayer Starter: Lord, help me to serve You with all my
heart. 
Read: Acts 6:9-11
Meditation: The Word of God not only makes us as God’s children the
light of the world, it also threatens those who do not share in this title.
As Stephen continued to preach God’s word, opposition arose. However,
those who opposed him could not stand up to "the wisdom or the
Spirit by whom he spoke." Those who opposed him then turned to
persuading others to acknowledge that Stephen had been speaking words of
blasphemy "against Moses and against God." When we serve
God, we threaten many people. Although that is not the goal of our faith, it
is unavoidable. As people begin to test our faith and are unsuccessful, they
will begin to slander and mock us in front of other people, and most of the
time they do this in secret. Like Stephen, we have to remain faithful to the
Word and not turn to other methods simply to save face.
Prayer Starter: Father, keep those who want to slander and mock me
because of You in check. Help their words fall on deaf ears. I know I will
have to face secret persecution and gossip, but keep me strong and help me
to endure the hardships of this life.
Read: Acts 6:12-15
Meditation: Those who stir up trouble will have some success. In
Stephen’s case, the people were stirred by the teachers of the law, and
they seized Stephen and brought him into custody. False witnesses testified
against him, but Stephen remained strong. As those in the Sanhedrin looked
upon Stephen, they didn’t see a dejected man. They saw "his face
was like the face of an angel." People will listen to gossip in
this world, whether it is true or not. If we remain faithful, the Bible
tells us that we too will have the shining face of an angel. This world can
accomplish many things, but it cannot extinguish the light that God has
given us.
Prayer Starter: Lord, when my enemies surround me with gossip and
blasphemy, keep me strong in my faith. Let the light of Your Son Jesus
shined brightly through me even in the darkest of times. I trust in Your
wisdom, Your mercy, and Your love. Help me to stand firm in the face of
persecution.
Read: Acts 7:1-51
Meditation: When faced with the question, Stephen spoke only the
truth. He talked about the forefathers that had come before him, and how
they too had been persecuted. He told them also of terrible plagues and
judgment that came upon those who persecuted God’s people. He was trying
to warn them against making the same mistake. In our lives, we often need to
reflect on things of the past to gain courage for the future. This speech to
the Sanhedrin was not only a warning, but also a method in which Stephen
used to remain strong for his persecution. When faced with troubling times,
we too can reflect on the past to gain courage for the future. Remembering
what others have gone through is a powerful way to remain firm in what we
believe.
Prayer Starter: Father, remind me of those who have come before me.
Remind me of those who too have suffered persecution and struggle in Your
Name. Help me to remain firm, like Stephen did, in my moments of struggle.
Read: Acts 7:54-58
Meditation: When people here the truth, they often deny it and turn
to violence. Stephen had spoken nothing but the truth, but the people had
rejected that truth. Stephen’s moment of death had come. While may not
ever face death as a result of our faith, we do face persecution. When
people hear the truth spoken to them, they reject the conviction in which
that brings and turn to violence, mockery, or gossip in order to relieve
themselves of their pain.
Prayer Starter: Lord, I pray that You would open the hearts of those
I minister to, and help them to receive Your Word with open arms. Help Your
Word through me bring peace not violence. But if is should come to violence,
mockery, or gossip, give me the strength to endure.
Read: Acts 7:59-60
Meditation:
In the midst of what Stephen knew was his final moments, he turned
to God and prayed. We cannot always avoid the secular consequences of
our action, but God will supply the grace and peace we need to make it
through them. God’s Word has power even in the midst of the worst
possible circumstances. We only need to turn to Him in prayer to make it
through them.
Prayer Starter: Father, I pray that I will never face the
persecution that Stephen had to face. However, if I do, keep my face and
my heart turned to You.
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