Who is in Control?

"You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!" Acts 7:51
"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." Acts 7:55

What a contrast! The "religious" people resisted the work of the Holy Spirit because they wanted to maintain control of their lives and religion. Stephen released full control of his life to the Holy Spirit even to the point of martyrdom. The religious leaders lived on in narrow-minded jealousy, bitterness, and anger toward everything that threatened their "self" control. Stephen died in peace with a joyful realization of the presence and blessing of the risen Lord Jesus. Who is in control of your life? I am sure that when skydiving the first step out of an airplane is tough but after that comes the exhilaration. So also the first step of yielding control to the Holy Spirit is tough for us but after that step comes the exhilaration of a Spirit-filled life.

Father, I must confess that I am too much in control of my life and thus have been guilty of resisting Your Spirit. Help me to take the step of full surrender to Your Holy Spirit today so that I might live joyfully and powerfully as Stephen did.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark