Resisting or Responding to God's Grace

Acts 7:51-60
Acts 7:51-60
51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Devotional:
Stephen's powerful message reminds us that it's possible to resist the Holy Spirit. While God's grace is freely offered, we have the responsibility to respond to it. Reflect on times when you may have resisted God's promptings in your life. What were the consequences? Stephen's example shows us the courage that comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:
Ask God to fill you afresh with His Spirit today, enabling you to respond to His grace and to stand firm in your faith, even in the face of opposition.