Meals On Wheels
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Good morning, Lord
Verse of the Day: Exodus 33:13
13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.
Memory verse: Psalm 90:14
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Today's reading: JOB 8-10 ACTS 8:26-40
Meals On Wheels
In Acts, chapter 6, Stephen is described as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit(verse 5) and grace and power(verse 8). He was ministering in the name of Christ and it says that some of the church folks, 10 "...could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking."
How does a person get to the point of being full of faith, the Holy Spirit, grace and power? The apostles had chosen him and laid their hands on him and prayed for Him(verse 6), yes, but Stephen had to have been a man of deep prayer. A person does not get God's wisdom without much time in prayer. A person does not walk in The Holy Spirit without unceasing prayer.
Before he was dragged from the city to be stoned, chapter 7, verse 55 says, "But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God."
As he was dying he cried out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Yes, this was a special man but a man chosen to deliver what now is 'meals on wheels'. Chapter 6, verse 1 calls it the 'daily distribution'.
Stephen was not the kind who would have a Bible study blog or a TV show or podcast. He did not have time. He was out with the people all the time.
As I was writing just now, my computer popped up and it said, 'battery low'. I discovered the cord was not plugged in. The screen was dim-it was about to shut down. Stephen was plugged in all the time. He was empowered.
When someone is empowered by God, it is because of precious time in prayer. Jesus is our example. He went off for private and secret times with His Father. But He did it often. Stephen did it often. Stephen had learned what Paul would write about-'praying without ceasing'.(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
We cannot do 'daily distribution' without fuel-power-daily bread-taking up our cross(Luke 9:23)-secret prayer-continuing prayer.
Daily distribution must have daily communion with God-constant dependence on Him-constant prayer-constant power-constant connection-Holy God consciousness.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Power of Living, Holy Master, fill me again to obey and move by Your daily bread and forgive me my weak flesh and turn me away from the earth to the lost souls around me. Keep me aware of Your power level within me.
Righteous God of constant empowerment,
In the name of Christ Jesus my Lord,
Amen