AUGUST 13, 2014
Life-Giving
Rain
Read: Acts
6:1-10
They were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he
spoke. —Acts
6:10
During the August heat
of 1891, R. G. Dyrenforth arrived in Midland, Texas, determined to blast rain
from the sky. Known as a “concussionist,” he and his team launched and
detonated huge balloons filled with explosive gases, fired cannons, and
exploded piles of dynamite on the ground—shaking both earth and sky. Some
believed he made it rain a little, but most said all he caused was noise. The
explosive power was impressive but ineffective.
When the early church
needed overseers, they sought people with a different kind of power. They chose
“seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3)
to manage the daily distribution of food. One of those was Stephen, a man “full
of faith and power, [who] did great wonders and signs among the people” (v.8).
When disputes arose, those who argued with Stephen “were not able to resist the
wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke” (v.10).
The Bible makes it
clear that Stephen’s spiritual effectiveness came from being filled with the
Holy Spirit, who gave him the right balance of faith, wisdom, and power.
God’s Spirit in our
lives today replaces the loud noise of self-interest with His gentle,
life-giving rain.
Holy Spirit, I want my
life to be marked
by Your power. May my
words and actions
give life-giving rain
to encourage others
to know You and trust
You.
In our life for Christ
we accomplish nothing without the power of the Spirit.
Insight
Today’s text not only
highlights the source of the power with which the Christian works—the Holy
Spirit (v.5)—but also our responsibility in relation to that power—faith
(vv.5,8). Stephen was a man known to be full of both.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
