SOUND WISDOM
Acts 6:7-15
Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Acts 6:3
Where there is no rancour, there is growth. Grumblings and disputing among brethren in God’s house can affect the growth of the church. The complaint in the church was enough to break the bond in the church. The strategy of the devil was to cause dissatisfaction, factions and distraction from the main purpose of the church. Complaints and dissatisfaction in the church should be handled with wisdom so that the purpose of the church is not thwarted.
The commissioning of the seven deacons led to an increase in the word of God and their numerical strength. Among the disciples chosen to serve, Stephen was outstanding such that the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke could not be refuted. This evidence was glaring to all. It manifested in the manner of sharing food, resolving disputes and administering the affairs of the church. God wrought great miracles in his place of service. There is special wisdom that proceeds from faithfulness in service. The place of service especially in areas that require servanthood and humility carries great honour. Jesus was willing to serve His disciples by taking on the dirty job of washing their feet (John 13:1). Can God work through you to manifest His wisdom in the affairs of men?
Prayer
Lord, fill me with wisdom that no opponent can dispute. Amen.
One Year Bible Reading
DAY 283 Isaiah. 43-44; Colossians 2
NEGATIVE REPORT
Acts 7:37-43,50-51
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; Romans 1:28
Stephen was full of the Spirit and spoke of the past with boldness. He recounted how their fathers of old disobeyed God and chose strange gods for themselves despite the great miracles God wrought among them. As a result of their continuous backsliding, God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do what they pleased. He testified against them that they were like their fathers. They were stubborn and uncircumcised in hearts and ears. This means that the truth of God’s word does not produce the fruit of repentance in them. They have refused to retain God in their minds. In the time of old, God required circumcision which involves the removal of the foreskin of the males. However, God now requires that our hearts be circumcised by the Holy Spirit.
Today, many people have itching ears. They have ascribed teachers to themselves who will tell them only what is pleasing to their ears. They have refused to conform to the image of Christ. God desires to be honoured and worshipped in our lives. When other things or persons take the place of God in our lives, it is idolatry. Stephen spoke the mind of God by rebuking them. He did not sugar-coat his words. It is time for true servants of God to rise and speak against falsehood. There is a need to check yourself to be sure you are not like the people of old whom God left to themselves. Be stable and grow in grace so you do not have a negative name or leave a negative legacy. Rather than be broken and repent, they got angry and killed him. Are you speaking up against evil or do you persecute true servants of God?
Prayer
Father Lord, circumcise my ears and heart so I can hear and obey you always. Amen.
One Year Bible Reading
DAY 284 Isaiah. 45-47; Colossians 3
BLESSINGS FROM PAIN
Acts 8:1-5
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
It is difficult to accept that blessings can come from pain. No experience is lost in God’s hands. As long as God is involved, He can turn every pain into a testimony. Imagine the kind of heat gold passes through to become refined. The disciples were persecuted by Saul. In fact, he wrecked the church by his persistent harassment such that people were no longer safe in their homes. This caused them to flee for their lives. However, rather than stop preaching, they continued preaching in the cities they found themselves. Thus, the scattering of the disciples led to the spread of the gospel to all the cities in the region. Their attitude to persecution is commendable. Rather than hide or blame God for abandoning them, they still put their lives at risk for the gospel. A challenge can take us from our comfort zones, away from our families and local church. It may be a new job relocation, academics, pleasant situations or unpleasant. They should be opportunities to plant the seed of God’s word.
The persecution was targeted at putting an end to the gospel but the gospel thrived regardless. By reason of this spread, Paul later had solace from brethren in these cities where the word of God spread. Give God that pain that has tried to wreak havoc in your life. That situation can work out patience, spiritual growth, discernment, and intimacy with God. Our attitude towards challenges should be that of joy and resilience. Provided you love God, be rest assured that all things will work for your good. It is only resilient love and commitment to God that can make us declare Romans 8:35-39 like Paul. Like the clay was marred in the hands of the porter and he made another vessel out of it (Jeremiah 18:3) so can God make something beautiful out of a bad situation. Trust God through that difficult time.
Prayer:
Lord, I align with Your plan and trust that You will turn every persecution and pain into a blessing. Amen.
One Year Bible Reading
DAY 285 Isaiah. 48-49; Colossians 4
DO NOT BE DECEIVED
Acts 8:6-22
For false christs and prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Matthew 24:24-25
Miracles and wonders are great. Everyone at some point in their life has desired to experience a miracle. Some events or situations defy human efforts. Thus, miracles are greatly sought for. Most people have fallen prey to false teachers who also do miracles. This is because, without the discernment of the Holy Spirit, even believers will be deceived by false prophets. Phillip did miracles in Samaria but before he came, there was a great sorcerer who was seen as the great power of God by the people. He did miracles just like Phillip did. Remember when Moses showed the miracle of turning his rod into a snake, the magicians did the same (Exodus 7:12).
Miracles are not the only proof that someone is called by God. As children of God, we ought to be discerning. “Wherefore by their fruits, you shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). It is on record that in the last days, false prophets will arise and deceive many people. May God open your eyes to see false prophets operating with wrong spirits and strange powers. People are celebrating them as they celebrated Simon and tagged him “the power of God.” Many people have been led astray, some have lost their lives and missed their paths in God’s plan for their future. Stay alert and know God for yourself. This can happen when you consciously study God’s word, pray and surround yourself with mature and godly brethren. Seek for God, not miracles. Are you following true servants of God online and offline? Are you a miracle seeker?
Prayer:
Lord, I seek to know You more. Fill me with Your knowledge and discernment. Amen.
One Year Bible Reading
DAY 286 Isaiah. 50-52; 1 Thess 1
TRANSACTIONAL CHRISTIANITY
Acts 8:13-24
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8.
Simon the sorcerer also believed the word of God that Phillip preached and also believed. He followed the apostles and saw how God wrought miracles through them. Even after Simon believed their message, he sought to purchase the power of God. He desired to manifest such power and wanted to purchase it from the apostles. Is this mindset different from those of ministers or churches that require money for miracles? People have to sow seeds to receive healing and deliverance from God. This was never the pattern of Jesus and His disciples. The gift of the Holy Spirit and His gifts are given for free. Peter was not moved by money. Some people start well but become swayed by power that they begin to practice transactional Christianity where everything is bought and sold in the church.
We have been called to bring deliverance and hope to our generation. Jesus died so that the devil’s oppression over souls would cease. However, becoming transactional in the course of doing one’s duty is wickedness. Phillip rebuked Simon instantly and urged him to repent from this wickedness. How can you sell what you got for free? Gullible Christians who crave for miracles fall prey to false teachers and miracle workers. The devil’s agents can also work miracles. Beware of transactional Christianity. Are you a transactional or gullible Christian? Know God personally and test every spirit to ascertain if they come from God.
Prayer
Lord, deliver me from deceit and greed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
One Year Bible Reading
DAY 287 Isaiah. 53-55; 1Thess 2
GOD CAN CHANGE ANYBODY
Acts 8:1, 9:1-6
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18
There are people whose actions seem so evil and unimaginable. It is tempting to conclude that they cannot change or that they deserve death. This is not scriptural. Paul was an example of someone whose actions towards believers were so violent and destructive yet God changed him. Imagine if God had killed Saul! We would not have heard of the victories of Paul. Saul encountered God, became a mighty apostle, and wrote many books in the New Testament. The same man who persecuted and murdered Christians became one of the great apostles of God.
The evil people around you can be changed. Yes! Even that wayward child. It takes just one encounter with God. It is not in the hands of any man to write off anybody. The grace of God can still reach out to them and change them just like he did with Paul. So rather than give up on them continually pray for their transformation and conversion. God specializes in the business of transforming the worst sinner into a saint. Every child of God was once a sinner. If God forgave you, you ought to forgive others. Christ has the nature of forgiveness and has given us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). Your assignment is to reconcile others to Christ rather than pray that they die in their sins. Walk with this understanding. Are you reconciling others with Christ? Do you believe that God can change anybody?
Prayer
Lord, transform the heart of sinners to turn to you completely. Amen.
One Year Bible Reading
DAY 288 Isaiah. 56-58; 1Thess 3
UNPLEASANT OBEDIENCE
Act 9:10-15
But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Act 9:15.
We serve a God that is all-knowing and all-powerful. Humans on the contrary are limited no matter how gifted they are. So, God who sees the end from the beginning gave Ananias an instruction that was not pleasant taking into cognizance Paul’s reason for going to Damascus. The mission seemed like a suicide mission to tell him to go meet Paul who persecuted them.
Dear child of God, God still gives instructions that are contrary to human rationale and reason. The instruction can be to pray for an ungodly person, forgive those who have offended you greatly, preach to a wicked person or groom a new disciple knowing their past. Knowing about the ugly past of individuals should elicit the compassion of Christ from you and not condemnation. Ananias did not condemn Saul when he saw him rather he obeyed God completely. Obey God, time and events will unravel the full picture. Learn to obey God regardless of what you think or feel. Some persons are God’s chosen vessels that will bear His name though they are still unsaved. Is there a ‘Saul’ around you? Pray for him.
Prayer
Father, help me to obey You even when my thinking and understanding cannot comprehend the reason for the instruction. Amen.
One Year Bible Reading
DAY 289 Isaiah. 59-61; 1 Thess 4
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