God's Holy Fire: 'No Match!'

Friday, May 22, 2026

None of [the people arguing with Stephen] could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

Key Thought

Stephen had been selected as one of the seven special servants of the church in Jerusalem to help make sure the widows were given the proper care. He was chosen because he was full of the Holy Spirit, faith, and wisdom. The Holy Spirit within him not only helped him in his service to the widows, but the Spirit also empowered him to speak God's truth boldly. When men opposed him, they found that they could not stand up to his teaching because of the power of the Spirit and the wisdom with which he spoke. Let's continue to pray for God to give us leaders today with these qualities and for us to be able to recognize these leaders and call them into service to the kingdom. Also, let's seek to be people who are full of faith, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit in our own lives!

Today's Prayer

O Almighty God, I continue to pray for your church. We desperately need leaders of faith and wisdom, leaders who are full of the Holy Spirit. Father, I want you to be at work within me through your Holy Spirit so that I am molded into the kind of person you can use to lead and bless your people. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 6:10 NLT — None of [the people arguing with Stephen] could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, May 22, 2026

A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
"[Jesus had said that the one who ate the bread would betray him.] When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, "Hurry..."
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today....."
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"This was a strange question for Job to ask of the Lord. He felt himself to be too insignificant to be so strictly watched and chastened, and he hoped...."
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
"God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they....."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.