Monday, June 1

Monday Morning Manna   

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

Today’s church, while recognizing that questions of ethnic identity in the ancient world differ greatly from modern conceptions of race, understand through reading Gods Word the tendency toward group inclusion/exclusion at the intersection of two or more cultures has persisted throughout human history. Speaking from Acts 6 Minister Antonio Blake gave us a word relevant for today’s time. This word titled – Are These Charges True? Written in the New Testament is a powerful story of the martyrdom of Stephen. In this passage we find Stephen is appointed, does great work for God, and is dies because of it. Stephen was arrested because he was doing what he was called to do. Stephen died because he was doing what he was called to do.

The accusers of Stephen’s time, Hellenistic, felt threatened by the work God had called Stephen to do. They knew all too well this Jesus whom Stephen spoke of threatened their power and so they saw Stephen too as a threat. Despite all that is happening in our society – one race is seen as a threat. They are being singled out as a threat to power and authority. Minister Blake encouraged us to draw closer to God and seek Him for a move during these dark times. Hold your peace and let God fight your battles. God is still in control.

We must take our charge from Jesus. John 18:11 “Put your sword back in its sheath!” We must trust in God to do the impossible and move in our nation. Let us not take this into our hand and miss an opportunity to see a move of God. Continue to pray, be steadfast and always abounding in the work of the Lord.