A life of sacrifice begins with a heart fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit, not just in moments of worship but in every aspect of daily living. Stephen, though an ordinary man and not an apostle, was chosen because he was full of the Spirit and wisdom, showing that effectiveness in God’s kingdom comes from surrender, not position. When you let go of your own ambitions and plans, and invite the Spirit to lead you, God can use you in powerful and unexpected ways. Each day, start by asking the Holy Spirit to guide your steps, to use you as a mouthpiece, and to show you something new about those around you. Surrender is not weakness; it is the source of true power and fruitfulness in God’s hands. [15:40]
Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been holding onto your own plans or desires? Will you ask the Holy Spirit to help you surrender that area to Him today?
To live sacrificially is to stand firm for the truth of the gospel, even when it is unpopular or costly. In a world that pressures us to compromise or water down our beliefs, God calls us to be unmovable like a lighthouse—shining light and standing for what is right, regardless of cultural trends or opposition. Stephen and others in Scripture, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refused to bow to cultural idols or deny their faith, even under threat. Knowing what you believe and why you believe it gives you the courage to speak truth with love and faithfulness, not harshness. [27:34]
Matthew 10:32-33 (ESV)
So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Reflection: Where in your daily life are you tempted to stay silent about your faith? What would it look like to stand for truth in that situation this week?
True sacrifice is revealed not just in times of blessing, but especially in moments of suffering and opposition. Stephen, as he was being stoned, looked to heaven and forgave his persecutors, mirroring the love and forgiveness of Christ even in his final breath. Living a sacrificed life means loving and forgiving others when it is most difficult, responding with grace when bitterness feels justified. The greatest testimony is not how we live when things are easy, but how we reflect Christ’s love when life is hard and unfair. [31:55]
Acts 7:54-60 (ESV)
Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Reflection: Is there someone who has wronged you that you need to forgive? How can you reflect Christ’s love to them, even if it feels costly?
Living a sacrificed life is not just about a one-time act of martyrdom, but about dying to self every single day. It means choosing to put Christ first, letting go of pride, comfort, and self-preservation, and allowing God to work in your heart. Like a candle that burns itself away to give light to others, you are called to die to your own desires so that others may see Christ in you. This daily dying is what makes you powerful in God’s hands and allows you to be a blessing to those around you. [36:56]
Luke 9:23 (ESV)
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Reflection: What is one practical way you can “die to self” today—perhaps in your attitude, your words, or your actions—so that someone else can experience the love of Christ through you?
God did not save you just for your own sake, but so that you would be a kingdom ambassador, advancing His mission wherever you are. Your workplace, classroom, or community is not an accident; you are there on purpose, to shine your light and share the hope of Christ. When you invite Jesus into every part of your life and live with a missional focus, God opens doors and uses you to reach others. Each one of us is called to make disciples, to be fruitful, and to be a blessing—this is the true adventure of following Christ. [41:50]
Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Reflection: Who is one person in your daily environment that you sense God wants you to reach or encourage? How can you intentionally shine your light to them this week?
Living a sacrificial life is not just a lofty ideal, but the very foundation of what it means to follow Jesus. Paul’s words in Romans 12 call us to offer our whole selves—our bodies, our ambitions, our comfort—as a living and holy sacrifice to God. This is not about giving up things for the sake of loss, but about surrendering everything so that Christ can be glorified through us. The world around us values comfort, safety, and self-preservation, but the call of Christ is to lay down our lives, daily, for His purposes.
Looking at the story of Stephen in Acts, we see that effectiveness in God’s kingdom does not come from position or title, but from surrender to the Holy Spirit. Stephen was not an apostle, but an ordinary man, a deacon, who was full of the Spirit and wisdom. His life was marked by boldness, truth, and love—even in the face of suffering and death. He stood for truth, refusing to compromise or water down the gospel, and his unwavering faith became a megaphone for God’s glory.
In a culture that pressures us to compromise, to be politically correct, or to hide our faith, we are called to stand firm, rooted in God’s Word and Spirit. Boldness is not about being harsh, but about being faithful and unmovable, like a lighthouse in a storm. Our lives should shine so brightly that others are drawn to the hope within us, even if it means facing opposition or persecution.
True sacrifice is not just about dying for Christ one day, but about dying to ourselves every day—laying down our pride, our preferences, and our comfort for the sake of others. Like a candle that burns itself away to give light, we are called to reflect Christ’s love, especially when it is costly. This is where the gospel becomes real and powerful: when we love our enemies, forgive those who wrong us, and respond with grace when bitterness feels justified.
God did not save us just for our own sake, but to be dangerous for His kingdom—to be ambassadors, disciple-makers, and nation-shakers. Every place we find ourselves is an opportunity to be missional, to bring Christ’s presence and love into our workplaces, schools, and communities. When we live sacrificially, surrendered to the Spirit, God opens doors and uses us in ways we could never imagine.
Romans 12:1 (ESV) — > I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Acts 6:8-10 (ESV) — > And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
Matthew 5:44 (ESV) — > But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
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