Read: Acts 7:51-8:13
Think: Acts 7:55 reads, “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit…” These words are followed with an account of Stephen’s defense of his faith. His brutal stoning is softened only by the words, “…[Stephen] gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, ‘Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand.’” You and I don’t know what tomorrow holds. We don’t know what trials we might face. But if we face every tomorrow and every trial “full of the Holy Spirit,” God the Father and Jesus His Son will be with us.
Act: J. Oswald Sanders (20th century author and founder of China Inland Mission) said, “You’re as full of the Holy Spirit as you want to be.” Today, ask God to show you one immediate or specific situation in which you need more of the Holy Spirit's control. Even now, give God full control of this situation by praying words of relinquishment (or letting go). Throughout the day, if/when you are tempted to take back control, pray another relinquishment prayer. As you pray, hold your hands open to God as a sign of letting go. Even so, you might have to ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit and take control of the situation five times in ten minutes or two times in two hours! Pray until you trust God to control this situation. When you have “peace,” you will know you are full of the Holy Spirit.
Pray: Dear Lord, I often try to control things. Help me today to surrender_____________________ to You more fully. I love you and need more of the Helper, Your Holy Spirit, to strengthen and guide me. I put my trust in You. Amen.
Be full of faith today!