Good morning dear one!
In Acts 6, we read about how the number of the disciples began to multiply and a situaiton arose where the twelve apostles had to make a definite decision not to continue serving tables, but to give themselves CONTINUALLY TO PRAYER AND TO THE MINISTY OF THE WORD! (verse 4).
It is so important for all of God’s true ministers to be continually in prayer and constantly feeding on His Scriptures of truth. I never go anywhere without my Bible. It is my sword!
None of you can be strong in God unless you are diligently and constantly listening to what God has to say through His Word. You will not be able to operate in His power and know God’s nature unless you study His Word. I encourage you to read it morning, noon, and night and every opportunity you get in between.
The Psalmist David said in Psalm 119:11,
• Your Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
You will find the more of God’s Word you hide in your heart, the easier it is to live a holy life. He also states in verse 50,
• Your Word has given me life.
As you receive God’s Word into your heart, your whole body will be filled with life and you will be made whole and strong. That is why in James 1:21, we are exhorted to,
• Lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
If you will do this, you will find faith spring up within you and you will have life through the Word!
So, the twelve apostles chose seven men to look after the business-end of things. They were to be men with a good reputation and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom! (Acts 6:3). Imagine working for guys like this? Well, they were just ordinary men who were chosen, but they were FULL OF FAITH AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, and being filled will always lift a person above the ordinary.
I want to encourage you that it does not take 16 degrees and a perfect pedigree to fill a positions in God’s Church. What God requires is a yielded, consecrated, holy life that He can turn into flames of fire ~ Baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire (see Matthew 3:11).
Even though the seven men chosen were faithful in their appointed tasks, God had a better choice for two of them. Stephen was so full of the Holy Spirit that he had revival everywhere he went (Acts 6:8). Men chose him to serve tables, but God chose him to bring salvation and to perform great signs, wonders, and miracles among the people.
Family, as you are faithful in performing the humblest things for God, He will fill you with His Holy Spirit, make you a chosen vessel for Himself, and promote you to a mighty ministry in the salvation of many people and in healing the sick. There is nothing impossible to a man FULL OF FAITH AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. It is beyond all human comprehension. When you are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, God will work wonderfully wherever you go!
Full of faith and the Holy Spirit,
Lisa Gordon
Jesus City Church