S - Acts 6:9-10, 15 (NRSV): "Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. … And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel."O - At some point there is going to be an "objection" to what is being said about Jesus. His name will be a polarizing force and those who will not come near most often want to argue the point. Stephen is willing to have the "conversation" but his response is more than accurate information or well constructed arguments. While these two components are included in Stephen's dialogue there was another factor which is mentioned … the Spirit with which he spoke. Now this may be a reference to the Holy Spirit and either way the Spirit of God was involved strongly. But spirit also includes and implies the demeanor, the purpose, the attitude with which he spoke. To me this indicates not only the anointing on his life but his intent … he was not looking to simply win an argument but be a reason for others to believe and a witness to the person of Jesus. This combination of wisdom and spirit was something that they could not withstand, resist, cope with or stand up against. Open hearts would have yielded; hard hearts would have turned away; rebellious hearts only response was to kill the messenger.
A - While confessing my need for the Lord's Spirit to anoint my words, I need to cooperate by having an accurate command of the information and be seeking the best method of response. However more is required to really please the Lord and present the witness to his person. The spirit in which I speak is also critical. The goal is for me/us to win the person not just the argument; knowledge puffs up but love edifies. Alive right, not dead right is the point. It's too bad that in this fallen world wisdom and spirit are not enough to prevent being killed.
P - Lord of all and Lord of me,
I praise you for this morning and the day which is flowing toward me. This day is your creation and gift, it is the context for our relationship to grow, it is the platform for me to experience you and to bring you honor. I want to be a life receiving and life giving human being; a disciple that refreshes the hearts of those he is with and one which makes your heart sing. Please put your Holy Spirit on me and shepherd me and my day so that wisdom and spirit combine to be a flow of life that is something irresistible to all. Thank you for all the events on my calendar and the people I am scheduled to see. I admit that you may have unscheduled events and meetings; I want to embrace this day according to faith and pay attention to what you are doing. Help me to lose my life so you will find it … to lay it down so you will take it up again. Great King, I lean my head on your chest and say: have mercy on me because I am a sinner; have mercy on me because yours it is to pity me and have mercy upon me; have mercy upon my because if you don't there is NO hope for me. Lord of mercy, as you do this my promise, assignment and desire is to give the way I've received. Thank you that not hating is not enough … you have command me to love. I set my heart to do this for you have loved me first.
Steve
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