Name: Nick
Scripture: Acts 7:45-8:3 "55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
SOAP: In Acts 7, Stephen is stoned after giving a speech to the Sanhedrin, and the amazing part of it is while he is getting stoned, he asks God to pardon their sins. I can't imagine the peace in his heart for him to be capable of doing that. Stephen is like an idol to me because I long to have that exact same stead fast faith in the Lord. I want His will to be done, but it's always more difficult to act it out. I need to make it a habit to turn to God when I feel alone, or when I'm surrounded by my enemies. I must make my response to hardship or blessing automatic in crying out or thanking God. I just need to think of Him first and last, so I may hear what He is saying.

Prayer: "Lord, I want to hear you. Please fill me up with your spirit as I throw out everything else."