love to speak
“They proved no match for the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke.” —Acts 6:10
St. Stephen could not help speaking of what he had heard and seen (see Acts 4:20) — “the Son of Man standing at God’s right hand” (Acts 7:56). Stephen believed and so he spoke out (see 2 Cor 4:13). Stephen was so full of the Holy Spirit and so full of love that his heart overflowed through his words. He spoke out of the fullness of his heart (Lk 6:45).
Can you let Jesus fill you with His love this Christmas? Can you let the Holy Spirit fill you as He filled St. Stephen, who was a man filled with the Spirit? (Acts 6:8) God so loved the world that He sent His only Son (Jn 3:16), the Infant Jesus, so our hearts could be “full of love” (Eph 1:4). Filled with love, there is “no room for fear” (1 Jn 4:18).
If the martyrdom of Stephen makes you afraid, the Answer to your fears is lying in the manger. Fall on your knees at the feet of the Infant Jesus and let Him fill you with love. Then you will not be able to keep from speaking of what you have heard and seen (Acts 4:20). Like St. Stephen, you will speak out of the fullness of your heart (Lk 6:45).
Prayer: Father, teach me “what to say and how to speak” (Jn 12:49).
Promise: “Whoever holds out to the end will escape death.” —Mt 10:22
Praise: “Certain members of the so-called ‘Synagogue of Roman Freedmen’...would undertake to engage Stephen in debate, but they proved no match for the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke” (Acts 6:9-10).
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(For a related teaching on Leading Your Loved Ones to Christ, view, download or order our leaflet on our website.)
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