Lent Day 19: Designed and Defined by God

On this nineteenth lenten morning, I invite you to go to the Word with me:

“ . . . They chose Stephen, 

a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit . . . 

So the Word of God spread. 

The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, 

and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. 

Now Stephen, 

a man full of God’s grace and power, 

did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 

Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue . . . 

These men began to argue with Stephen 

but they could not stand up against his wisdom 

or the Spirit by whom he spoke . . . 

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, 

and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” 

Acts 6:5, 7-9, 15, NIV

Upon reading Acts 6, I simply could not stop pondering the implications of the name we bear as Christians. 

Like the seven men chosen by the Holy Spirit to minister to the widows of the early church, are we mindful that God has granted to us full access of His Spirit and wisdom in order that we might serve Him and serve His people more devotedly? One of these men, Stephen (in particular), stands out. He was designed and defined by God in the following terms: 

     -  a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit
     -  a man full of God’s grace and power
     -  a man who did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people

Since we, too, are designed and defined by God, might we examine ourselves in prayer this morning: 

Are we drawing from God’s well of wisdom?
Lord, I am not inclined to draw from Your well of wisdom. Thank You for convicting me to rend my independence and for drawing me to You by Your grace and mercy!

Are we actively serving the Lord and His people? 
Lord, I am not inclined to serve God and neighbor actively. Thank You for convicting me to rend my selfishness and for drawing me to You and Your bride by Your grace and mercy!

Are we full of faith and of the Holy Spirit?
Lord, I am not inclined to function on the full tank provided by the Holy Spirit and the precious faith You have deposited in me. Thank You for convicting me to rend my spiritual emptiness and for drawing me to have my cup filled by Your grace and mercy!

Does the Word of God spread because of us?
Lord, I am not inclined to live in a way that facilitates the spreading of Your Word in my circle of influence. Thank You for convicting me to rend my shame of You and for drawing me to live openly for You through Your grace and mercy!

Are there more devoted disciples of Christ because of our reliance upon the Holy Spirit?
Lord, I am not inclined to rely solely upon the Holy Spirit in my sharing of the gospel and other missionary endeavors. Thank You for convicting me to rend my self-effort and for drawing me to rely on Your grace and mercy!

Is obedience to the faith more noticeable in the clergy because of us?
Lord, I am not inclined to encourage and pray on behalf of the spiritual leaders You have placed in authority over me.  Thank You for convicting me to rend my prayerlessness and for drawing me to a life of encouragement by Your grace and mercy!

Are we full of God’s grace and power?
Lord, I am not inclined to believe that You have filled me with Your grace and power. Thank You for convicting me to rend my unbelief and for drawing me to the fullness of Christ by Your grace and mercy!

Are we doing “great wonders and miraculous signs” among the people—meaning, can people see things that are happening in us that only God’s presence can explain?
Lord, I am not inclined to live with enough transparency and vulnerability that would let others in on what You are doing in me. Thank You for convicting me to rend my life of secrecy and for drawing me to live out a genuine faith by Your grace and mercy!

Are we ready for the opposition we often face and will continue to face in the future?
Lord, I am not inclined to face any opposition whether now or in the future. Thank You for convicting me to rend my cowardice and for drawing me to the quiet boldness inherent in Your grace and mercy!

Are we aware of the fact that our opponents will not be able to stand up against God’s wisdom or the Spirit by whom we are called to speak?
Lord, I am not inclined to remember the power Your Spirit exercises over all opponents of the faith. Thank You for convicting me to rend my spiritual amnesia and for drawing me to a state of remembrance by Your grace and mercy!

Are we ready to extend grace for the slander, gossip, malice, and treachery that are sure to be directed at us? 
Lord, I am not inclined to extend grace to my offenders. Thank You for convicting me to rend my unforgiving and condemning spirit and for drawing me to the sweetness of Your grace and mercy!

Have we considered that we may be seized and mistreated on account of false witnesses?
Lord, I am not inclined to consider the cost of following You.  Thank You for convicting me to rend my apathy and for drawing me to offer costly sacrifices to You by Your grace and mercy! 

And . . . through it all, when others look at us intently, would they see a face akin to that of an angel?
Lord, I am not inclined to adorn my face with the purity and glow that comes from spending time with You in prayer and in the Word. Thank You for convicting me to rend my spiritual neglect and for drawing me to the light of Your face by Your grace and mercy!

Would that we thank God for the men and women throughout the ages who, like Stephen, have given their lives for the sake of the gospel. May we join their ranks in clinging to the truth that God has designed and defined us! And upon leaving this world, may our testimonies produce a harvest of new believers who will take our place in the great mission of spreading the gospel throughout the earth!