Have you ever heard of Stephen? He was a member of the early church in Jerusalem. Stephen was selected to help with food distribution to other believers. It seems like a simple and straightforward job, right? However, the apostles determined that the chief qualification required for this position was that the selected candidates be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:3). Why was the Holy Spirit important for the mere handing out food to people? We'll understand that a little later.
Now back to Stephen. In Acts 6, he is one of seven men chosen to distribute food because they met the stated requirement. Upon their selection, the apostles prayed and laid hands upon them (Acts 6:6). From there, Stephen is next described in Acts 6:8 - Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. How did he go from serving food to doing signs and wonders? The answer is the Holy Spirit.
Remember that the chief qualification for the position was that the candidates be filled with the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit in Stephen's life enabled him to quickly rise from the food service department to operating in the miraculous powers of the Lord.
In every area of our life, the Holy Spirit is the 'secret sauce' we need to be elevated from a nobody to somebody great. Godly promotion leaves an enduring mark not just on earth but in God's kingdom. This applies to believers no matter what their field of occupation/service is. There is no task, big or small, that does not require the acknowledgment of the Holy Spirit to be successful.
Such promotion can never be compared to the fame and attention the world gives. Therefore, don't look at the people of the world and think their kind of success is the ultimate goal. There are multi-billionaires who despite their fame and wealth could not find healing for diseases God has the instant cure for. They departed from this earth leaving behind all the money they had accrued. None of it helped them when it mattered the most.
Now, that same Stephen who did mighty works in God's name eventually died. He was martyred by men who didn't believe in Jesus and who were jealous and prideful. However, the story of his elevation through the Holy Spirit as well as his impact on Christianity and the world has spanned thousands of years. And to imagine, he started off as a simple food server.
What more you, who might be feeling insignificant? What could having the Holy Spirit as your guide do for you? How would your acknowledgment of the Holy Spirit - sent from Jesus to those who believe in Him - make a difference? There's only one way to find out and that is to do what qualifies an individual to receive the Holy Spirit: genuinely repent for your sins, submit to Christ and His instructions, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(Please be sure to see the Altar Call in the next post).
To learn more, please read:
fROM ac - Amen! Lord, I stand in agreement and lift the Palestinians and Israelis in prayer. I pray for Your Shalom upon the Holy Land. I also pray for Your strength, peace, and protection over our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in the region. While the focus is often shone upon Jews and Muslims, there are hundreds of thousands of Christians, who are majority Palestinians in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, in need of our prayers. May they not be forgotten by our fellow Christians in other parts of the world and may they remain in our thoughts and prayers, as You have commanded of us. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen
From AC - Abba, I pray for the success of business owners in our fellowship and my church. I pray that their vision of success aligns with Your teachings and that You lead them and guide them in all areas of their business. Give them the strength to work hard and a genuine desire to serve their community for Your glory. Bless their suppliers, customers, and any current or future employees. May their businesses be fruitful, and prosperous and produce an abundance. In Jesus' Name, Amen
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, again You have done it. Bringing us together from multiple backgrounds and nations to honor You with our praise and intercession.
Thank You God for this privilege.
As we go our separate ways, I pray over today's participants that the rest of their day shall be blessed and filled with Your glory. IJMN Amen.
I also pray that in accordance with Philippians 4:19, You, God, will supply Peppers with the Holy Spirit in a new and deeper way. That we shall all bow to Your will and be led on Your path of righteousness for Your name's sake, IJN, Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Today, we learned that the presence of the Holy Spirit within leads to distinction. Holy Spirit elevates us from service to leadership. He makes the works of our hands long-lasting.
While it is easy to immediately start seeking the Holy Spirit for these benefits, keep in mind that the Holy Spirit's goal is to serve and honor the Lord. Therefore, when Holy Spirit distinguishes a person, it is for God's glorious purpose and not for that person's personal gain. God and His purposes are the reason for everything the Holy Spirit does.
We must, therefore, submit our wants and needs to God's plan. When we do this, the Holy Spirit will move freely in us and around us to God's glory and by His grace.
Please keep this in mind. The Holy Spirit was not given to believers to serve their selfish or even ethically sound desires. He places God first at all times and so should we.
Lord, help each of us to truly submit to You. Only then will the Holy Spirit rest and remain with us. Only then will we remain vessels that do not cause Your presence to leave. Help us and grant us Your grace IJMN, that we will always walk faithfully with the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Good God, You are the Almighty. Nobody compares to You. Father, thank You for hearing my prayer for people that they come to a knowledge of You as You promised in Jeremiah 24:7. Thank You for giving people a desire for You. Thank You for whetting their appetites for more of You. Thank You for letting hearts clamor for You. Thank You for kindly pouring out Your Spirit on all mankind in accordance with Your word in Joel 2:28. Be glorified, Lord our Redeemer.
Now and forever more, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba, I pray for people in the waiting season. I pray that you help them shift their focus from the natural to the spiritual. I know external circumstances are scaring them and making them fear but you Lord said in your word in 2Timothy 1:7 that you have given us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind and you said in Isaiah 40:31 that you will renew their strength and they will continue to soar like eagles. Heavenly Father, strengthen their faith and help them to wait because you Lord will give them the best IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for people struggling with addiction, I pray Abba that you uproot every spirit of addiction from their lives. I pray that you will help them find their happiness in you. Help them Lord as they sort through the root of their pain and help them recover as they start to navigate finding true happinesses in you in Jesus name. Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for people struggling mentally and emotionally. I submitted their hearts and minds unto you blessed father. You know their pain and I pray that you will heal them if every pain and hurt. I pray that you will conquer the battlefield in their minds. I pray that you realign their thought patterns to be in tune with your will according to your word in Phillipians 4:8. I pray that you restore their self esteem, confidence and image IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for orphans around the world. I pray that you fill that void in their hearts. I pray that you will be their father and mother. I pray you will never forsake them. I pray that you nourish and nurture them. I pray that you will help continue to seek you so that they can fulfil their God given purpose here on earth. IjMN amen.
From BI - Lord, I Lift unto You in prayer all who are seeking employment. Provide job opportunities for them. I pray they are able to find well-paying jobs. As they wait for answers, may they not be disheartened but learn to cast their cares unto You. May they receive double for their trouble. May they find jobs that not only allows them to survive but to thrive IJMN Amen.
Lord, Your word will never return to You void. For You are not a man who would lie, nor the son of man whereby You would repent. Hallelujah!
Isaiah 32:19-20 - Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely, how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.
Lord, in this time of food scarcity, inflation and economic instability, I call on You for the peace and rest that You offer Your own. Let Your children experience Your abundance especially in these uncertain times.
I decree that where there has been a casting down, for the people of God there shall be a lifting up in accordance with Job 22:29. I decree that You, dear Jehovah Jireh, shall meet and over supply their needs in accordance with Your commitment stated in Philippians 4:19.
From M22 - Abba, I commit every single Peppers into your hands. You are the covenant keeper, light in the darkness. I pray that you bless each and everyone of us. I pray that your order our steps and open up our hearts so we can receive the holy spirit better than ever. I pray that you supply all of our needs through your glorious riches and above all Abba I pray that we continue to seek you above all us according to your word in Matthew 6:33. IjMN amen. I pray that your hand will continually be on our lives. IjMN amen.
Lord, please come down and make Your presence felt in every place where we are located.
Isaiah 64:1 - Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!
From BI - Thank You Lord for the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel. I pray for a permanent truce. Abba, I pray You lay Your healing hands on Israel and bring peace to Your holy land. Let unity, forgiveness, love and harmony reign in Israel. I pray for the safe release of all hostages. I pray that whatever has been lost such as businesses, homes and communities are rebuilt. I pray for eternal rest for the dead and comfort to their families IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Heavenly Father, I pray for your might power over the nation of Palestine. The casualties have been heartbreaking. Lord please put an end to this war. Tear down every strongholds and expose every selfish and greedy individuals frustrating efforts for peace. Abba please comfort very individual that has lost a loved one or loved ones. Restore everything they have lost and I pray that you accept their loved ones in your bosom IJMN amen.
From BI - Thank You Lord for the safe rescue of the men trapped in a collapsed tunnel in India. All forty one men have been rescued after seventeen days. It can only be You Abba. Your grace and mercy are boundless. Thank You for showing love to Your children all over the world.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for hearing us. We pray for you to quiet our flesh so that your spirit can be amplified strongly within us IJMN amen
PRAYER TIME
Let us put our personal prayer needs to the side for the next 25 minutes.
It is time to pray for others.
Don't worry about what troubles you. Worry about what someone else is going through.
Be unselfish and lift up prayer requests for somebody or something that is not you or tied to your personal needs.
From AC -
Let praises rise from the inside of me
May You delight in the inside of me
Come fill my life from the inside of me
Set me on fire from the inside of me
'Cause all I want
Is for You
For You to be glorified
For You to be lifted high
Thank You, God, for Christ our Savior. Thank You so very much for not only sharing Him with us, but for also giving all who believe in Him Your Holy Spirit.
Thank You that He is our Comforter, Advocate, Teacher, Rememberancer and so much more.
Thank You for we are never alone. Holy Spirit serves as Your voice so that we may know which way to walk. Gracious God, You are too good to us.
Our thanks could never adequately reflect all You do, have done, and will do. Yet, please let these thanks offerings rise as a sweet-smelling incense to You, my King.
May they serve as a memorial offering that brings down the Holy Spirit in our midst to touch us and those around us as we receive Your word and believe in You.
Thank You, God, my Sovereign Lord.