Morning Reading: Acts 6.8-15 NLT – false witnesses

Reading: Acts 6:8-15 NLT

Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia.

None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke. So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law.

So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council. The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Stephen was the first of a long line of Christian martyrs. In the face of imminent danger, he did not back down. Fill your people with wisdom and the Holy Spirit in the face of danger. Give us the courage to speak the truth in the face of false witness… to declare the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not to defend ourselves. And give us confidence and courage in facing the consequences. For your name’s sake. Amen.

Hymn: “The Voice of Truth” – Mark Hall and Steven Curtis Chapman

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Galatians 2. 16, 19-21 ESV – living by faith

The Crucifixion
Jativa Master, late 1400s, Valencia

Reading: Galatians 2:16, 19-21 ESV

We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified….

For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – There is nothing I can do to make you love me more than you do right now… it’s all about you, Lord. By your grace through faith… I am included in your family. Live your life in me and through me… help me to do the right things no matter how hard they may be at the time. And may I never shy away from taking up my cross… and following you. To you be all the glory. Amen.

Hymn: “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” – John Bowring (1825)
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Godly children – thanks kids!

Peanut Gallery: I’ve got two great kids and eight terrific grandkids. Thanks, Josh & Amy! You have made me proud.

Proverbs 23:24 NLT

“The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.”

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Morning Reading: Acts 6.1-7 NLT – set apart to serve

Reading: Acts 6:1-7 NLT

But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent.

The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

"Ordination of St. Stephen by St. Peter" Fra Angelico, 1449 Capella Nicolina, Vaticano, Rome — “Ordination of St. Stephen by St. Peter”
Fra Angelico, 1449
Capella Nicolina, Vaticano, Rome

So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers.

They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.

So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

Prayer: Heavenly Father – You have made us all different – different talents, abilities, personalities and spiritual gifts. And all of us have a purpose and place to serve you – to build up the Church and reach out to the people around us. Lord Jesus – Renew, remold, remake us into people who bring honor to you – “well respected and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.” Holy Spirit – Empower us to serve others after the example of Jesus. In His name I ask it. Amen.

Hymn: “Ye Servants of God” – Charles Wesley (1744)
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