Acts 6:2-3

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

At first glance, Stephen has a very minor part in the Bible. The “12” had gotten so busy preaching the Word, that the daily serving widows and giving alms to the poor had been neglected (or so somebody complained).  We see this happen in the modern workplace. The more important jobs take the priority, and the seemingly lesser things are placed on the back burner, it’s just the way it is.

Enter Stephen. The job requirements were a tall order, the disciples didn’t want just anyone to take over, they wanted 12 men full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom just to wait tables.

We think of waiting tables as an entry level job in society today. In our daily spiritual walk with God we tend to lift people in positions higher than other people because of what they do in church, or in the world. We feel that they are powerful because of the responsibilities they have.
Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

I would guarantee that every good pastor out there has cleaned the toilets in the church at some point or other. Just as in the business world, you have to start somewhere.

But here is Stephen, a guy we only hear about in Acts 6-7. He gets appointed over the daily ministration, and no doubt is getting some attention….

Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Stephen causes such a stir that he gets arrested and place on trial before the Sanhedrin court, and he lets them have it!

Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

Acts 7:54-56 54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Other accounts throughout the Bible say that Jesus sits on the Right Hand of God, but for Stephen Jesus was standing!

Stephen had very impressive characteristics, the Bible says that he was full of faith and power, and he had made himself available for any task that would arise. When we make ourselves available, God can and will use us far beyond what we have in mind. Be willing to accept the job that He gives you. If you strive and work diligently at the task you are given, God will exalt you into greater things.

Matt 25:21 …thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things…

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Your THUMB is nearest you, so begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you.  They are the easiest to remember.  To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a “sweet duty.”

The next finger is the POINTING FINGER.  Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal.  This includes teachers, doctors and ministers.  They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction.  Keep them in your prayers.
 
The next finger is the TALLEST FINGER.  It reminds us of our leaders.  Pray for the President, leaders in business and industry and administrators.  These people shape our nation and guide public opinion.,  They need God’s guidance.

The fourth finger is our RING FINGER.  Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify.  It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain.  They need your prayers day and night.  You cannot pray too much for them.

And lastly comes our LITTLE FINGER– the smallest finger of all, which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others.  As the Bible says, “The least shall be the greatest among you.”  Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.  By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively. 

Submitted By Sis. Evita Wilson

By Claire Cloninger
Submitted by Sis. Katherine Combs

I found a child’s kaleidoscope
And held it to the light,
I watched the patterns come and go
Like diamonds in the night,
And, Jesus, then it dawned on me
Exactly what Your love can be.
You shine Your life through mine,
Making beautiful designs
Out of all the broken pieces that You find.
And Lord, when You shine through,
Just look what love can do-
You make diamonds out of bits of broken glass,
Out of all the broken pieces of my past!
I know that, Jesus, You’re the light,
And I’m the broken glass,
My life is the kaleidoscope
Through which the light must pass,
Now suddenly my eyes can see
The patterns of Your love for me.
Turning and changing in color and line,
Images sparkle in shifting design
Like rainbows unfolding each new day I see
The colors of your life come shining through me.

There are two ways to live your life. One is as if nothing is a miracle, the other is as though everything is a miracle.” Albert Einstein (1879-1955).

There is a car that I seem to pass on the road quite often with a tag on the front reading “Expect A Miracle.” Once I spotted this tag, it seems that my eyes are drawn to it every time I see the car. Actually, I have started recognizing the car from a distance before I can even read the tag. I am not entirely sure that it’s coincidence that I see this car several times a month or if by some divine authority it is sent to cross my path as a way of encouragement.  “Expect a miracle” is a bold statement in itself, but I seem to get stuck on the first word – EXPECT.  What does it mean to expect something? The word itself means to wait or stay. Another meaning is to look forward. A longer definition is to anticipate or look forward to the coming or occurrence of or to consider probable or certain. When we pray for a need in our lives, does it end with “amen”, or are we actively looking forward to the answer?

Look at the examples in the Bible when miracles take place. We see that obedience precedes the miracle. Action on the part of those in need brings the miracle. Looking at the first recorded miracle of Jesus’ earthly ministry of turning water into wine can teach a lot about expecting the miraculous.
 
Jesus and His disciples attended a wedding celebration in Cana of Galilee. When the wedding guests ran out of wine, Mary, the mother of Jesus, approached Him and said, “…they have no wine. (but) Jesus said unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come.” John 2:3,4.
 
When Jesus appeared to reject her request, Mary could have yielded to a spirit of discouragement and given up. She could have allowed anger or hurt feelings to enshroud her like so many have done when their circumstances don’t immediately change. But she didn’t do any of that. Instead, she chose to believe that all things are possible. She had no idea what was going to happen. But she insisted on believing (expecting) that something wonderful was about to happen.  

Mary then told the servants what would become her last recorded words in the Bible, “…Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” John 2:5. She refused to be denied. She chose to leave the door open for something amazing to happen. She asked the servants to simply obey whatever Jesus told them to do. “Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim…. (and then He said) Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it” John 2:6-8.  And the Miracle happened… You can go on giving examples of  being obedient to God and EXPECTING a Miracle: seeing it come to pass.  Maybe this should be looked at again in the near future.