6:2–3).
These seven men were not just ordinary men. The Bible states they were full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. They were powerful men, and yet they were chosen to serve tables and distribute clothing. These men could have said, “Look, I am not called to serve tables. God called me to preach.” They could have had an exaggerated opinion of their importance, but they were faithful to do what needed to be done.
God will bless people who are willing to take a lower position in the eyes of men. He will exalt the humble. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).
It was not long before one of the seven men began to shine. Stephen became a powerful preacher, who did great wonders and miracles among the people. The Bible says that no one was able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke (Acts 6:8–10). Soon Stephen was arrested and taken to the Jewish council, but everyone who looked at him saw that his face was shining like the face of an angel.
God will exalt the humble.
The power of God in Stephen’s life provoked the anger of his enemies, and they dragged him out of the city and stoned him to death. The heavens were opened, and Stephen saw the glory of God. “But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ ” (Acts 7:55–56).
The person who lives a life of humility is the person who will walk in the supernatural power of God
.
Stephen said he saw Jesus
standing
at the right hand of God, yet we are told repeatedly in Scripture that Jesus is
seated
at the right hand of the Father. I believe that Jesus thought,
In honor to Stephen, I will stand to receive his spirit. I will stand for a man who was faithful to serve tables. I will stand for a man who will give his life for the sake of the Gospel
.
God honors men and women who will do humble tasks for Him.
Philip was another disciple who waited on the tables. He began to preach in Samaria, and the whole city was stirred by miracles, signs, and wonders (Acts 8:6–8). An angel of God appeared to Philip and sent him to the desert to lead an Ethiopian man to the Lord. After baptizing this man, Philip was supernaturally translated to the city of Azotus, where he began preaching.
This is what happens to the person who will walk humbly before the Lord. The person who lives a life of humility is the person who will walk in the supernatural power of God.
Let there be no fighting over the high positions. Give unqualified courtesy and respect to every person. Serve one another in love. Walk humbly before God, and you will be blessed with riches, honor, and life.
We reign in life as kings and walk in the abundance of God through the power of humility.
We reign in life as kings by One, Christ Jesus, who “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death on the cross” (Philippians 2:8). Let us follow His example.
Reflections from J OEL
S ome people live in despair and disappointment, all because their circumstances are not exactly what they desire them to be. They are never happy unless everything is going their way, everybody is treating them right, and they are immune from experiencing discomfort. In other words, they never are happy! That’s a very shallow way to live
.
Certainly, none of us enjoy going through struggles, but you have to understand that your struggle may be an opportunity for advancement and promotion. The very thing you are fighting against so tenaciously may be the springboard that catapults you to a new level of excellence. Your challenges may become your greatest assets
.
Without the resistance of air, an eagle can’t soar. Without the resistance of water, a ship can’t float. Without the resistance of gravity, you and I can’t even walk. Without
These seven men were not just ordinary men. The Bible states they were full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. They were powerful men, and yet they were chosen to serve tables and distribute clothing. These men could have said, “Look, I am not called to serve tables. God called me to preach.” They could have had an exaggerated opinion of their importance, but they were faithful to do what needed to be done.
God will bless people who are willing to take a lower position in the eyes of men. He will exalt the humble. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).
It was not long before one of the seven men began to shine. Stephen became a powerful preacher, who did great wonders and miracles among the people. The Bible says that no one was able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke (Acts 6:8–10). Soon Stephen was arrested and taken to the Jewish council, but everyone who looked at him saw that his face was shining like the face of an angel.
God will exalt the humble.
The power of God in Stephen’s life provoked the anger of his enemies, and they dragged him out of the city and stoned him to death. The heavens were opened, and Stephen saw the glory of God. “But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ ” (Acts 7:55–56).
The person who lives a life of humility is the person who will walk in the supernatural power of God
.
Stephen said he saw Jesus
standing
at the right hand of God, yet we are told repeatedly in Scripture that Jesus is
seated
at the right hand of the Father. I believe that Jesus thought,
In honor to Stephen, I will stand to receive his spirit. I will stand for a man who was faithful to serve tables. I will stand for a man who will give his life for the sake of the Gospel
.
God honors men and women who will do humble tasks for Him.
Philip was another disciple who waited on the tables. He began to preach in Samaria, and the whole city was stirred by miracles, signs, and wonders (Acts 8:6–8). An angel of God appeared to Philip and sent him to the desert to lead an Ethiopian man to the Lord. After baptizing this man, Philip was supernaturally translated to the city of Azotus, where he began preaching.
This is what happens to the person who will walk humbly before the Lord. The person who lives a life of humility is the person who will walk in the supernatural power of God.
Let there be no fighting over the high positions. Give unqualified courtesy and respect to every person. Serve one another in love. Walk humbly before God, and you will be blessed with riches, honor, and life.
We reign in life as kings and walk in the abundance of God through the power of humility.
We reign in life as kings by One, Christ Jesus, who “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death on the cross” (Philippians 2:8). Let us follow His example.
Reflections from J OEL
S ome people live in despair and disappointment, all because their circumstances are not exactly what they desire them to be. They are never happy unless everything is going their way, everybody is treating them right, and they are immune from experiencing discomfort. In other words, they never are happy! That’s a very shallow way to live
.
Certainly, none of us enjoy going through struggles, but you have to understand that your struggle may be an opportunity for advancement and promotion. The very thing you are fighting against so tenaciously may be the springboard that catapults you to a new level of excellence. Your challenges may become your greatest assets
.
Without the resistance of air, an eagle can’t soar. Without the resistance of water, a ship can’t float. Without the resistance of gravity, you and I can’t even walk. Without
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