Scripture Reading: Acts 6:1-5, Acts 6:8-15, Acts 7:1-60
How often have you thought to yourself, “What does it matter if I live for Christ? No one cares.” Or we can mistakenly believe we must lead an extraordinary life to bring glory to God or bring others into the fold of Christ. But our role is never to save anyone. It is simply to partner with the Holy Spirit, trusting He will draw others to Himself, even if we never see the fruit.
In Acts 6, Stephen, along with six other men, was given the task of caring for widows. We do not see him asking for an impressive title or waiting for an official “vocational ministry” role—he simply walked with Jesus and obeyed Him. The religious leaders were sure of their right standing with God, and their hearts were hard toward any mention of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. They believed they were without fault and had no need for a Savior.
But when Stephen stood before the religious leaders, he held fast to one truth: Christ crucified and raised for the redemption of the world. I think we can become paralyzed as we search for the seemingly right words to say to our unbelieving friends, family members, or neighbors. We wonder if we can speak with eloquence or if we have all the answers. Stephen didn’t attempt to convince anyone with lofty words or appease others. Instead, he simply taught the truth. His sole desire was to honor Jesus with his life.
And when Stephen stood before the people, his face shone like that of an angel. A true relationship with God changes us from the inside out. Our lives should be counter cultural, shining a light in the darkness and bringing glory to the only One worthy of all praise and adoration.
Stephen’s unwavering commitment to Christ cost him his life. If we are going to walk with Christ, it will cost us something too. In response to Stephen’s story, I want to consider how pride, comfort, or security affect how I live out my faith. Let’s take a note from Stephen and look to Christ. He will not fail us, friends.
Written by Jessica Mathisen
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23 thoughts on "Stephen"
Tina, what a beautiful testimony! So inspirational!
“Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10.
Warren W. Wiersbe wrote a book about Biblical personalities.
Warren Wiersbe says after reading a sermon by Charles Spurgeon that the first statement Spurgeon wrote arrested him: ” Scripture frequently sums up a man’s life in a single sentence.”
The title of the book is THE DEFINING VERSE.
The statement from Revelation was about Stephen.
Mr. Wiersbe in the conclusion of the book says, ” Yes the whole Bible is yours, but somewhere in its pages is a sentence that is especially yours- your defining verse. Find it, believe it, and act upon it, and the Lord will help you live it out to enrich yourself and bless others, and bring glory to
G-d.”
Good morning, precious sisters! So many needs in OUR family! I pray for each of you and your needs/requests every day! I often wish I could just reach out and give you all a big hug!
I was thinking about our caregivers and how I haven’t heard any updates from them. LINDA IN NC, GRAMMIE SUE, and others–how are you guys doing?
This devotional reminded me of a dear friend who one day said to me, He wished he could have some of what i have.. we had been walking along a beach reminiscing about our loved one called home.
My response was.. “you most certainly can, you just have to believe..”
“Not that simple..” he said. Stating that he was angry at God because he took his wife from him..
He asked me how I had found peace with my daughters passing and am able to talk about God as if He was a good guy.
I related my story of how God showed me where my Julee was, even when I was horrible, disrespectful and rude to God in His church..
There was silence for a long while.. then he said ” I’m glad you have found peace, but I don’t know i can be like You..
I told him I would be there if he needed to talk.
We talked often about my faith, I always told it from my perspective, and my journey.
Some weeks later he took his grown children to Menorca to scatter his wife’s ashes..
The first evening , he told me, he said to God if he were real, He should allow him to see a white owl.. a species of owl that was not indigenous to those parts.. he fell asleep.. when he opened his eyes there was a while owl sitting on the end of his sunlounger..
“Coincidence”he said..
The following evening, again he tested God, this time asking for a couple of white owls. He went in to get a drink, came back out, and there they were sitting on a branch staring at him..
Again, as he told the story he said it was coincidence..
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When does Father God stop being coincidence and become truth? Real?
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I lost touch with him a while later because he had a girlfriend then, but we were always good at sending birthday and Christmas messages.
My last message to him on his birthday was responded by the girlfriend to tell me he had passed away 2 days before. She said she was glad she had the opportunity to talk to me because he often spoke of me and my faith..
I am so very very prayerful that he found his peace, but most, most importantly that he found God somewhere along the way..
Please God!
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BUT GOD, right..?
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A missive, but a story to tell of walking alongside but not intruding on another’s personal space. We can sow the seeds of our faith, our belief, our Hope, but ultimately it is between the person and God how their story goes..
I am truly prayerful my friend found his way..
Amen!
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Happy Tuesday my loves..❤️
Through Stephen, the gospel message was proclaimed powerfully, and seeds were planted in the heart of young Saul.
We may not face a literal stoning, but many of us face rejection, opposition, or suffering for standing in truth and love. Like Stephen, we’re called to be faithful witnesses — not just in comfort but in conflict. God may not always rescue us from the fire, but He is always in the fire with us. And like Stephen, we can trust that our faithfulness makes an eternal impact — even if we don’t see the fruit right away.
Amen! Holy Spirit fill my heart, change my actions that the world sees you in me. In Jesus name, Amen
In every other passage of Scripture, we always read that Jesus is SEATED at the right hand of God. In Acts 7, Jesus STANDS. He is aware of what is happening to Stephen and (it would seem) stands to welcome him home. Makes me bawl every time. If you have a chance, google the painting “The Martyrdom of St. Stephen” by Carraci. So powerful.
RHONDA- great truth! You are such an inspiration! ❤I know how much you like Elevation Worship and think you will love the song I shared. I only saw 1 post on youtube, and thankfully it showed the lyrics.
“Our role is never to save anyone…that is the work of the Holy Spirit” -beautiful words, such powerful truth today. Thank you Jessica. M job is to walk in God’s light and share the Good News with family and friends. May I do so every chance I get, especially when I’m afraid of folks reaction ✨✨✨
Wiersbe-
Acts 7:2-Abraham had responded by faith. Abraham was saved by grace, through faith, and not because he was circumcised, kept a law, or worshiped in a temple. All of those things had come afterward (see Rom. 4; Gal. 3). He had believed the promises of God, and this faith saved him.
Acts 7:53-
Instead of seeing God’s truth as seed that produces fruit and more seed, the religious leaders embalmed the truth and refused to accept anything new. By the time Jesus came to earth, the truth of God was encrusted with so much tradition that the people could not recognize God’s truth when He did present it. Dead human traditions had replaced God’s living truth (see Matt. 15:1–20).
7:56-
This is the last time the title “Son of Man” is used in the Bible. It is definitely a messianic title (Dan. 7:13, 14), and Stephen’s use of it was one more witness that Jesus is indeed Israel’s Messiah.
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MacArthur-
Stephen’s response does not seem to answer the High-Priest’s question. Instead, he gave a masterful, detailed defense of the Christian faith from the OT and concluded by condemning the Jewish leaders for rejecting Jesus.
Acts 7:51:53 The climax of Stephen’s sermon indicted the Jewish leaders for rejecting God in the same way that their ancestors had rejected Him in the OT.
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JESSICA MATHISON, thank you for this teaching and coviction. ❤
Quoting Jessica: “A true relationship with God changes us from the inside out. Our lives should be counter cultural, shining a light in the darkness and bringing glory to the only One worthy of all praise and adoration….
In response to Stephen’s story, I want to consider how pride, comfort, or security affect how I live out my faith. Let’s take a note from Stephen and look to Christ. He will not fail us, friends.”
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Love, hugs, and prayers, sweet SHES! ❤
Praying especially for the new school year. First day for students here.
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SEARCHING- Thank you, sister, for sharing your heart. Great post as always! Praying with you for those you mentioned. ❤
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KELLY- Praying for young mama to get paper work done in a timely manner. Thankful for the new employer’s grace and that young mama is mindful of it. ❤
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New worship song I saw this morning by Elevation Worship – Faithful Through It All – “You never change, You never fail; You are faithful through it all.” The lyrics in this song in application to today’s teaching/to life in general is so powerful!
Does your face shine when you talk about Jesus, when you share the gospel? Do people hear your passion? Do they hear your knowledge about God’s word?
It’s funny these questions make me look at myself- and it is true. When I first started leading groups I was too nervous to glow. When I first started Jail ministry I was too caught up in how to teach the lesson “good” to shine. Yet, as time went on, in both ministries, and I just let my love for Jesus, and the word, pour out (with Holy Spirit), that’s what makes the difference! Steven was a disciple of Jesus full of the Holy Spirit.
When we get over ourselves of feeling awkward and nervous, the Holy Spirit joins with our love and want to share what Jesus has done in our lives. One of the best ways is to minister to the same people in the situation that Jesus saved you from! You know what he did for you, therefore there is a joy and light that radiates!! If you haven’t witnessed lately, remember what God saved YOU from, and who could benefit from that in the situation now! I just told someone at church I never thought I would do jail ministry, yet it found me. BUT God, I WAS there in my 20’s, not in jail, but easily could have been from my reckless lifestyle. Just as they are right now. I was telling our butterflies last week, how the light of Jesus is revealed from when they first come in- hard, sad, broken- and then we see the transformation!! The glow comes in and is revealed in the mannerisms and their face!! It is something, and a testimony to what Jesus does!!
It may feel awkward at first to share and testify the gospel, but we are told to tell! Follow me, and go…multiply!! When I think of all the Butterflies the ministry has changed the trajectory it is just amazing that God lets us join in with Him to make an impact in others lives!! It’s always good to look back and remember and Praise God for the ones that stepped in and changed your trajectory as well, and perhaps reach out and thank them today!
Have a great day, and be prayerful for God to work a divine encounter(s) in your life. Or show you where to start serving!
Wow
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So little we know about the first martyr, yet he lived and died fully committed to his Jesus.
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I believe Stephen is the only disciple described as “his face was like the face of an angel.”
This had to have been terrifying for the Sanhedrin. Angels are described as “shining like lightning” (Matt. 28:3) and people usually faint at the sight of one (Dan. 10). He must have been like Moses whose face shown after being with God (which also scared people-Ex. 34:29-30).
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ERIN EASON – you definitely have a lot going on! Praying for God’s wisdom to order your day to get everything done with His peace in your heart.
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SUSAN BURLEY – God’s timing ❤️
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TAYLOR – church leader’s failings is truly heartbreaking and the aftermath for the sheep is very difficult to navigate. Praying the Lord give you clear direction in your role whether to maintain relationships with those staying and those leaving, while extending grace for people to follow their convictions to stay or go.
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MARI V – did you get reassigned to the same teacher for this school year?
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UPDATE: my young mama still needs to get all the paperwork in to the daycare facility before she can start work. New employer seems willing to work with her on delaying the start date.
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Praying for your young mama. Did she get her leak fixed?
Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God-a striking detail!
“I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” Acts 7:56
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Jesus, thank you for standing with me, help me trust that you see me and are with me in every circumstance.
I’m a praying, teary mess these days as I feel surrounded by needs, and many of these feel in desperate need of right now answers, wisdom and guidance.
And then I see the name of our person today … Stephen. More tears, for what was maybe a slow and no doubt painful death. For the angry and surely convicted hearts that, in their blindness of their own sin and unbelief, picked up the first stone, the second stone and at some point, that final stone. For his submission as he knelt, his forgiveness as he prayed they not be charged with the sin of stoning and killing him – his final goodbye to this world. For Saul (later, Paul) as he watched.
And for the rejection around me every day. For someone seeking that I spoke with on several occasions, answering her questions, bringing her a Bible, gifting her last year’s Advent study book. She’s still waiting to “make sure she gets it right” – still not willing to believe in The One. For a dear friend that says they looked at God and purposely decided they don’t need Him. For a believing family member that still holds onto a thread of the ‘but they are a good person’ lie. As I mentioned yesterday, evil is pounding hearts and minds that there can’t be just one way, just one straight and narrow path to heaven. Praying the truth of Jesus is understood by all.
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Stephen’s recap of the Israelite history grabs me every time I read it – and is a lesson about being prepared to tell people about Jesus. Thinking of Anne Wilson’s song My Jesus, RHONDA J’s regular reminders ❤️. And of course MARI V ❤️
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ERIN EASON – praying your time and efficiency are multiplied
CEE GEE – personal security or spiritual security? Question to ponder, thank you ❤️
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Thank you Searching, beautiful truths this morning!
Help me to be bold as Stephen and not shrink back when others want me to doubt my beliefs. Thanks be to Jesus my Savior, shepherd, Lord and King.
Amen❤️