Good morning. Yesterday, we read on the grumbling that was taking place within the church. There was a serious issue that kept people in lack of their needs. It stirred up cries of discrimination between two groups within the church, but the Holy Spirit led apostles addressed the issue by appointing men who were well respected and were full of the Spirit and wisdom. Join me as we continue to read on in Acts chapter 6. Have a wonderful day.

BIBLE VERSE – Acts 6:5-7 NLT
“⁵ Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). ⁶ These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.

⁷ So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.”

REFLECTION
I can’t write it enough times, but obedience to God is the greater reward. The apostles could have been distracted by the enemies tactics to stir division within the church, but they weren’t. The apostles were fully aware and allowed the Holy Spirit to lead them in the best way to address the issue. The apostles chosewell respected men who were full of the Spirit and wisdom.Not only were the men selected, they were prayed for by the apostles. By these actions, the apostles continued to press on bringing many to Christ.

Questions to ponder:

• If the apostles were looking for men and women who werewell respected, who were full of the Spirit and wisdomwould they select you?

• Are you willing to let go of things God said to let go of and follow His lead?

In Colossians 3:12-15 it reads:

“¹² Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³ Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. ¹⁴ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”  Church it’s time to reconcile issues, not deny them, but to correct them within the four walls, begin to change hearts – to love as Christ loves, and continue to press on toward the mission of bringing more people to Christ.

PRAYER
Father God thank you for today’s message. Thank you for another opportunity to examine our own hearts. Lord, there are some offensive things within our hearts. Lord, remove those things and correct our character. Lord, help us to clothe ourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, don’t let us get distracted by the small battles, but help us to focus on the things that truly concern you. Lord, we are done making excuses for choosing not to follow you.Equip us for the battles that you have called us to.Help us to hear, listen, and act. Remove the blinders that the enemy has on our nation and open up the eyes of the blind so that we may see as you see. Lord,  when you are looking for men and women who arewell respected, who are full of the Spirit and wisdomwe want youto select us.Lord use us in a mighty way. Lord we surrender our selfish tendencies to you, and seek to love as you love, to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with You. Lord, cover us as we seek to do your will. Lord, begin to take charge over the things that the enemy is using to destroy and divide. Lord, remove the fear that has held leaders paralyzed and unwilling to do the right things. Lord, shield Your children and help us to lean on you today. Direct our paths, our speech and our love for one another. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.

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