Unstoppable! 'Asked!' — Acts 6:12-13, 7:1

Monday, March 30, 2026

[The lies of the false witnesses against Stephen] aroused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.

The lying witnesses said, "This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses."

...

Then the high priest asked Stephen, "Are these accusations true?"

— Acts 6:12-13, 7:1 NLT

Key Thought

The sham trial of Stephen begins with a question. Stephen will answer it boldly in his words that follow. The words of Stephen's defense are not soft and easy on the ears of those who want to kill him. He will speak the truth that they do not want to hear. He will do it in the context of their long line of salvation history rooted in God's promises to Abraham and his people. For me, the actions of Stephen's accusers remind me how easily I can slip from being a person who represents God and desires to save a lost world into becoming a person who wants God to save me and condemn anyone who disagrees with me. Stephen is my clarion call to humility and to keeping my eyes on Jesus!

Today's Prayer

O God, please forgive me when I want you to do for me the things that I desire and forget what you have called me to do and to be in my broken world. I do offer you my life to be used for your Kingdom, Jesus' glory, and the Spirit's work in the world. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Relentless, Unfair, and Unscrupulous
Devo: Unstoppable!
"So [the men debating unsuccessfully with Stephen] persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, "We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God." This...."
Reflecting Heaven's Glory While Under Attack
Devo: Unstoppable!
"So [the men debating unsuccessfully with Stephen] persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, "We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God." This...."
Remembering God's Work in Our History
Devo: Unstoppable!
"Then the high priest asked Stephen, "Are these accusations true?" This was Stephen's reply: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God..."
The Spirit of Grace Under Fire
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Believer, Today I want to give you a glimpse of My servant, Stephen. In the verses below, you will see how he followed My example when faced..."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 6:12-13, 7:1 NLT — [The lies of the false witnesses against Stephen] aroused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council. The lying witnesses said, "This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses." ... Then the high priest asked Stephen, "Are these accusations true?"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, March 30, 2026

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'A Promise for the Nations' (Jn. 11:51-53)
"[Caiaphas] did not say [that it was better for one man to die than the whole nation perish] on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
2 Corinthians 7:1
"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for...."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Romans 8:23
"Present possession is declared. At this present moment we have the first fruits of the Spirit. We have repentance, that gem of the first water; faith,..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Praise to the Most High' (Ps. 92:1-3)
"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness...."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!