June 11

1 Kings 8:1-66, Acts 7:51-8:13, Psalm 129:1-8, Proverbs 17:1

Pray: Lord, thank You for truth. It is often sharp and cuts, but it can be a beautiful balm and healing agent as the grace is applied. May we find grace and truth in Your Word today. Amen.

Read: Solomon’s temple was a place of glory. However, despite its extraordinary beauty, it was just another building until God moved in and consecrated it. So it is with our lives and our meeting together. I remember A.W. Tozer once said, “If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of this world, much of what the church is doing would go right on unnoticed and nobody would know the difference."

Edify: In an unbelievable act of conviction and grace, we see Stephen showing us the most beautiful way to portray grace and truth. First, Stephen doesn’t mix words and tells them exactly what they have done, rejected the truth and killed the Savior. They didn’t like to hear that and so they stoned him to death, and then Stephen shows the grace by praying on behalf of his accusers asking for Jesus to forgive them for what they are doing.

Practice: Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. In other words, there is no comparison for peace. We may not immediately think about this gift but let's find a way to give it out today.