Stephanas

Stephanas!

1 Corinthians 16:15”Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints),”

So much that surrounds us is so transitory, fleeting and short lived, people drop you like a hot potato. People who have spent the whole night praying with you, sticking around you all the time, eating at your plate, suddenly decide to leave you without even a word, yes, without even a word. Oh! We got to be prepared for ‘such’ treatment, everything changes, decays, is tossed on the garbage heap of time! ‘Learn a lesson’, ‘stop loving people too much’, ‘have a limit’, ‘know to draw a line’, ‘don’t go overboard’ and much more are the advices that keep flowing; nevertheless, we got to keep blowing kisses on people who keep throwing rocks at us. The standard that God expects from us is ‘high’, it is not a simple road trip but tough. Wait a minute, the above scripture about STEPHANAS is like Niagara falls refreshing your spirit! Someone drained out because of unreliable, undependable and erratic people needs this ‘Niagara falls’ today! Cheers!

In a world of non-returnable soft-drink bottles, throw- away cartons, use and throw away pens, biodegradable shopping bags, it is reassuring to encounter something substantial and with substance. Yes, I’m speaking of the household of STEPHANAS who were such awesome first converts in a pagan worshipping city like Achaia. Despite being the only Christians in that area, they stood firm without any support system. Incredible! Wish we had more STEPHANAS’ than Christians who attend 1000 seminars, ten thousand crusades, multitude of fire camps; yet sway like drumstick plants. We need Davids’ to declare ‘But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God!’ Hallelujah! Isn’t that wonderful? Only when you have trust in the steadfast love of God forever can you be able to confidently announce that you would be like an olive tree. Anybody listening? Staying steady for God is all about ‘sound knowledge’ of who God is rather than emotional excitement, this does not come without Bible knowledge. How could we have STEPHANAS when some church services are void of strong Word? I remember the words of Dr. David Paul Yonggi Cho here, “Faith is not a feeling or emotion but it is determination! To choose to believe no matter what the situation.”

In order to be firm and steady, you got to do the following:

Read the Word:

John 8: 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

Listen carefully:

Luke 8: 18-Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

Be Humble and obedient:

Isaiah 66:2"But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word. "

We got to be servers:

We have to be servers and not grumblers.

The household of Stephanas were just not only strong Christians but the Bible says,’ they devoted themselves for ministry to the saints.’ Boy! This is lovely. Lovers of God finally become servers! Forget the empty talkers, let’s strive hard to produce more of STEPHANAS!