Unstoppable! 'Asked!' — Acts 6:12-13, 7:1

Monday, March 30, 2026

[The lies of the false witnesses against Stephen] aroused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.

The lying witnesses said, "This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses."

...

Then the high priest asked Stephen, "Are these accusations true?"

— Acts 6:12-13, 7:1 NLT

Key Thought

The sham trial of Stephen begins with a question. Stephen will answer it boldly in his words that follow. The words of Stephen's defense are not soft and easy on the ears of those who want to kill him. He will speak the truth that they do not want to hear. He will do it in the context of their long line of salvation history rooted in God's promises to Abraham and his people. For me, the actions of Stephen's accusers remind me how easily I can slip from being a person who represents God and desires to save a lost world into becoming a person who wants God to save me and condemn anyone who disagrees with me. Stephen is my clarion call to humility and to keeping my eyes on Jesus!

Today's Prayer

O God, please forgive me when I want you to do for me the things that I desire and forget what you have called me to do and to be in my broken world. I do offer you my life to be used for your Kingdom, Jesus' glory, and the Spirit's work in the world. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Relentless, Unfair, and Unscrupulous
Devo: Unstoppable!
"So [the men debating unsuccessfully with Stephen] persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, "We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God." This...."
Reflecting Heaven's Glory While Under Attack
Devo: Unstoppable!
"So [the men debating unsuccessfully with Stephen] persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, "We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God." This...."
Remembering God's Work in Our History
Devo: Unstoppable!
"Then the high priest asked Stephen, "Are these accusations true?" This was Stephen's reply: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God..."
The Spirit of Grace Under Fire
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Believer, Today I want to give you a glimpse of My servant, Stephen. In the verses below, you will see how he followed My example when faced..."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 6:12-13, 7:1 NLT — [The lies of the false witnesses against Stephen] aroused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council. The lying witnesses said, "This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses." ... Then the high priest asked Stephen, "Are these accusations true?"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, March 30, 2026

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: 2 Samuel 15:23
"David passed that gloomy brook when flying with his mourning company from his traitor son. The man after God's own heart was not exempt from trouble,...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
''Through the Power at Work in Us''
"Dear Disciples, I love My disciples to praise the Father! Look at Paul's beautiful prayer in the verses below. He not only praises the Father, but he..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Don't Focus on Wealth — It Will Disappear'
"Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Compelled by Love' (2 Co. 4:16-5:21)
"Dear Father, invisible but absolutely real, May I be compelled by the love of Christ, convinced that he died that I might no longer live for myself....."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!