I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Acts 6. “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.’ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a MAN FULL OF FAITH and of the HOLY SPIRIT; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism…Now Stephen, a MAN FULL OF GOD’S GRACE AND POWER, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. But they could NOT stand up against the WISDOM the Spirit gave him as he spoke…So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified, ‘This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.’ All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel” (Verses 1-5. 8-10, 12-15). There hasn’t been a time where I have read this portion of scripture and haven’t been left wondering, “How did Stephen do that?” Seven were chosen, but the Holy Spirit takes the time to tell us that Stephen was FULL of FAITH, GRACE, and GOD’S POWER. How did he do it? He let himself be filled. He communed with God and allowed Him to fill him with everything necessary to serve. Stephen was able to do this, because he was ALWAYS FULL. I don’t want to be a half empty/half full vessel. I want His grace, faith, power, and His Holy Spirit to fill me to capacity.