And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
-Acts 6:8
People lives express their belief system, more clearly than words spoken. Faith or lack thereof, is evident in the way we live and react to life and all of its changes and circumstances. Faith compels us to trust in Almighty God, who gives comfort, rest, and the strength to face each challenging new day. Examine your life closely, and it can easily be determined that Christ cares for you in every way imaginable. His caring is so vast that it covers your health, your concerns, love ones, your finances and a plethora of much more!
Faith that changes things, is a belief that is greater that what the eyes can see or the rationale of the human mind. It is a faith that is so immersed in relying on, adhering to, believing in, and trusting in a living God, regardless of come what may, you are not moved or shaken. Stephen had that that exact same faith, understanding that there was much more than what he was witnessing from the religiosity that was surrounded him. His faith allowed him to see past what he was thinking, feeling or seeing, and gave him spiritual insight to see what was eternal and everlasting. He confidently spoke the truth, as he knew it and change(s) occurred.
Moreover, individuals that were sick in his midst all of sudden became healed, those that were spiritually lost suddenly became introduced to “the way” of Christ. The high religious leaders of the synagogue attempted to dispute the truth, which pierced their souls and made them uncomfortable (change that goes against the grain). Instead of receiving the message freely, they decided to kill the messenger. Stephen possessed a faith that was greater than the threat he faced, and even in the midst of his dying he asked for forgiveness for those that were taking his life!
Regardless of your circumstance today, despite how tired, hurt, afraid or uncertain you find yourself, develop and maintain a faith in God that can change things according to the words of truth you speak, and the actions you take (in essence this is true righteousness)!
My desire today is that God will enable all of us that have an urgency, to face each day and every situation with a Stephen kind of faith. A faith that renders change, faith that forgives, and a faith that is predicated on and connected to an everlasting Savior, Amen.
God Bless – A Note From The Counselor’s Corner,
Dalton Kornegay, PhD
