from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church https://ift.tt/2YDkoKH
via IFTTT Stephen, full of Grace and Holy Spirit, and first to die for Christ. Success is not always what we think. Stephen succeeded, and his success was realized in his being appointed the first maryter after Jesus. He stood for righteousness, he spoke truth, he walked daily in the spirit of Christ. He performed great miracles by the name of Jesus. But... He was not an apostle. Not even a church "leader". Stephen was appointed to the position of church welfare distribution. We often think of the apostles, and how they gave their all for Christ. How they spent those years as witnesses and companions of Christ, wrote much of the New testament, and brought the world the name of Jesus. But Stephen was the first to make a truly significant impact, he gave his life for Christ. He lived holy, which made him a target, and then he accepted death as his reward. The lesson here? There are so many. But one in particular shines through loud and clear: It is not the job of "the church" organization to change the world. It is the job of God's people in the church to change the world! The church, the preachers, teachers, pastors, etc, are there to equip the people to be successful in changing the world. Stephen was not one of the church authority, he was just a normal guy. But he accepted the call to live for Christ and walked in the Holy Spirit. He spoke Christ in his daily life, he contended for the faith. He made a great impact because he lived his talk. And satan made him the first target because of it. Stephen was, as we say, "on the front lines" in this epic battle between good and evil. He went out and spoke to the people, he tore down the strongholds of satan. He attacked the gates of hell. And yes, he was a member of the church, he worshipped with the church, he helped out where he could (waiting tables) but Stephens life, his success, was outside the walls of the organization. You see, the sealing power for success is not a position of authority from the church or seminary. The sealing power, what makes one successful and capable, what brings one to change the world, is the Holy Spirit and a willing heart. Are you willing? Will you take up the call that Stephen walked in? Will you change the world for Christ? It starts on your knees. It starts with the Holy Spirit filling every ounce of your being, it starts with dieing to yourself ( wants, desires, plans, goals) and living daily for Christ. It starts in prayer and Bible reading, in crying out to God alone, in your room seeking God. If your knees are not sore, you have not done it God's way! Man and satan always offer a substitute. School, organization, credentials, programs, so many substitutes. But success is found one on one, alone with God, seeking Him, giving all to Him, surrendering our will, our future to Him. That is the beginning of a powerful ministry, being full of Grace and the Holy Spirit. You can follow Stephen's example. You don't need money, training, a name, a paper, none of that. What you need is Jesus, and a broken contrite heart. You need the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit daily working through your personal life. Yes, Stephen was the first to die for Christ. Will you be the next?
