LET YOUR FACE REFLECT YOUR THOUGHTS

Acts 6:11-15 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy 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. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us." All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Previously, Jews of various synagogues within Jerusalem were arguing with Stephen's teaching. But when they couldn't "stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke," they began to lie about what he said and influenced other people to testify against him as well. How did Stephen handle this? "They saw that his face was like the face of an angel."

The famous pastor C.H. Spurgeon once said when teaching students regarding ministry, "When you teach on heaven, let there always be a glow on your face, a gleam in your eye, and a smile on your lips. When you teach on hell, your normal face will do just fine."

I think Stephen saw a glimpse of heaven as he was persecuted. During my most difficult trials, when I've been attacked from every corner, that is when I've had my most riveting and awakening experiences with God -- when I've had my own personal glimpse of heaven. God has used my most difficult times to reveal Himself to me and make my faith alive and vibrant.

Are you going through a difficult time right now? Stephen's expression reflected his thoughts: "his face was like the face of an angel." What does your face reveal about what you are thinking? Pose that question to a good friend -- you might be surprised at the answer.

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