Today’s Key Scripture

“He, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’”

— Acts 7:55-56

A relationship with the Holy Spirit will change what we see and how we see. Instead of looking down, we’ll start looking up—where the horizon is much brighter. We’ll see things differently from the way we do now, and we’ll understand things we never did before.

Stephen preached with such forcefulness and clarity that the religious authorities of his day could not ignore him. They were “cut to the heart” (verse 54).

As they attacked him, ready to bind and carry him through the streets of Jerusalem, then stone him for his faith, something truly remarkable happened. The Holy Spirit gave Stephen a glorious vision of heaven and Jesus standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:55).

The persecutor of the church, Saul of Tarsus (later called Paul), saw what happened: “And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him” (Acts 22:20). What Paul witnessed would eventually change his own life and the course of the entire world for the rest of time.

 

A Prayer for Today

Father, change my vision to be Your vision. Open my eyes, even as I open my heart to You and stand upon Your Word. I proclaim Your promises, and I ask You to anoint me today with Your overflow of joy and grace—from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet. May this day be filled with purpose and goodness, regardless of what happens along the way. Keep me mindful of the ways I can glorify You, even as I strive to be holy, even as You are holy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

*All Scripture references are NKJV unless otherwise noted.