God's Holy Fire: 'A Long Gaze into Glory'

Sunday, May 24, 2026

[Just before Stephen was stoned:] But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand.
— Acts 7:55 NLT

Key Thought

Stephen had been chosen to serve widows because he was full of the Spirit. Stephen had spoken the truth of Jesus in the face of great hostility. He had warned those who opposed his words not to resist the Spirit like their ancestors before them. And now, when the enemies of truth were about to stone the life out of his body, we are told an amazing truth. The same Holy Spirit who had shaped Stephen's life in this world was now letting him see over the horizon of history and see the glory of God and the Lord Jesus in the place of honor beside God. The Spirit, our "Helper" and "Comforter," came and provided encouragement, help, and comfort to Stephen when he needed it most. How important is the Holy Spirit? For Stephen, the Holy Spirit influenced, qualified, and empowered this man of God and brought him home to glory! May the Spirit do the same in each of us!

Today's Prayer

O Father, be at work within me through your Holy Spirit. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 7:55 NLT — [Just before Stephen was stoned:] But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand.

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About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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