The Cost Of The Anointing
Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen...who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.
So they stirred up the people, and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.
...All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. (Acts 6:8-15)
So they stirred up the people, and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.
...All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. (Acts 6:8-15)
Stephen was mightily anointed by God and his ministry was attested to by signs and wonders.
But he encountered great opposition. He experienced great animosity. False witnesses were marshaled against him. But the Holy Spirit gave him wisdom against which his detractors could not stand. As he stood before his opponents, his face looked like that of an angel.
There is a mystery to the way God’s power is manifested through His chosen vessels.
It is evident in Scripture that all who were mightily used and anointed by God to fulfill His purposes in very extraordinary ways, suffered untold hardships. The examples are numerous: Moses, Joseph, David, Paul, Jesus, and the apostles. It has not ended. Many of God’s children around the world are facing great opposition because of God’s hand upon their lives.
Somehow, there seems to be a cost to the anointing. It attracts very fierce opposition.
Could it be that the challenges, difficulties and opposition you are encountering is because of God’s anointing upon your life? Could it be that what God has purposed to use you for is so huge that the powers of darkness have instigated animosity and false testimonies against you?
Could it be that the good work you are doing by living authentically for Jesus threatens the kingdom of darkness? There is a definite assurance I can give you: God will give you wisdom to outsmart every detractor! No matter what false things are said about you, God will vindicate you! Be strong and continue to be a genuine witness for Jesus by the way you live your life.
Let your light shine on the job, at school, in your community and family. God will fight your battles for you. There is a cost to the anointing but don’t give up, God is with you!
But he encountered great opposition. He experienced great animosity. False witnesses were marshaled against him. But the Holy Spirit gave him wisdom against which his detractors could not stand. As he stood before his opponents, his face looked like that of an angel.
There is a mystery to the way God’s power is manifested through His chosen vessels.
It is evident in Scripture that all who were mightily used and anointed by God to fulfill His purposes in very extraordinary ways, suffered untold hardships. The examples are numerous: Moses, Joseph, David, Paul, Jesus, and the apostles. It has not ended. Many of God’s children around the world are facing great opposition because of God’s hand upon their lives.
Somehow, there seems to be a cost to the anointing. It attracts very fierce opposition.
Could it be that the challenges, difficulties and opposition you are encountering is because of God’s anointing upon your life? Could it be that what God has purposed to use you for is so huge that the powers of darkness have instigated animosity and false testimonies against you?
Could it be that the good work you are doing by living authentically for Jesus threatens the kingdom of darkness? There is a definite assurance I can give you: God will give you wisdom to outsmart every detractor! No matter what false things are said about you, God will vindicate you! Be strong and continue to be a genuine witness for Jesus by the way you live your life.
Let your light shine on the job, at school, in your community and family. God will fight your battles for you. There is a cost to the anointing but don’t give up, God is with you!
Prayer: Father, I pray for everyone of your children undergoing attacks because your anointing is upon them and their life is shining for Jesus. May your grace and presence be so strong that their faces will shine like angels before their detractors. Your promise is that no weapon formed against your children shall prosper. Nullify every plot against the lives of your children and vindicate them for the sake of your great Name. I ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.