“’There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited….’” Acts 19:27a.
Paul’s preaching in Ephesus was so transformative that many people were leaving their old lifestyles and turning to follow Jesus. Becoming a follower of Jesus meant that these people were in immediate conflict with the culture that they lived in. The people of Ephesus worshiped all kinds of gods, and especially the goddess, Artemis. Because the people followed various gods, there was quite a bit of money that was to be made from those paying tribute to their gods, and local venders took full advantage of this. This was the norm for their culture, so when many people become Jesus-followers, it effected the local economy considerably. And conflict with the culture ensued.
No matter what period of time we are in, our stance as Christ followers will be in conflict with the surrounding culture and with the businesses that make their living off of that culture. It may mean that we will no longer do some of the things that we did before. It may mean big changes in our lifestyle, as we no longer conform to the world around us, but, instead, be transformed by the Holy Spirit’s work inside us. And this can have economic ramifications. When we impact people’s money, we come close to their heart. That’s when we start receiving a strong, adverse reaction from the culture. That’s when we need to take a strong stand for what we know is right.
Questions to consider: How much different are you from the culture around you? How much different, if at all, should you be, and in what areas of your life? Where do you take a stand if the gods of your culture – money, greed, sex, and so forth – are running rampant?
Prayer: I praise You, Father, that You are the Living God and not an imposter like so many around me. I pray that You give me guidance in how to live my life in obedience to You, wholeheartedly following You at all times. Amen.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
August 25,2011 - Acts 19:17
“When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.” Acts 19:17.
After the incident in which the evil spirit jumped on the seven brothers for misusing Jesus’ name, the people in the region around Ephesus realized the power that was in the Jesus that Paul proclaimed. Even the evil spirits recognized and submitted to Jesus, and Paul was His representative to the people. This fear translated into having a great deal of respect for Jesus. This incident became widely known among all the people of the region around Ephesus. This incident could have been disastrous for the name of Jesus. Even situations that could have been viewed as negative can work for the good. God’s name spread widely around with fear, respect, and honor.
There has been many times when my actions, which I thought were being done for God and in His purposes, turned out to fall apart or to be a disaster, yet God has used many, if not all, of them for His glory. I remember talking with a man about a difficult issue. He rejected my input and walked away from the relationship. Did I come on too strong? Had I overstepped my bounds? I wasn’t sure how I had blown it, yet the relationship was broken. A few years later, the same man saw me at a meeting and came over to talk. Upon joining another organization, he was challenged with the same input I had given him, and he just wanted to let me know that I was right and thanked me. While many situations fall apart, that particular relationship worked out.
Questions to consider: Have you ever done something that could be viewed as negative that turned out to be positive? Is there a situation that you are currently in that feels very negative? Is there anything that you need to do to improve the situation?
Prayer: Father, because of Your creative touch, You can work all things in my life according to Your purposes. I mess up many times, yet You are there to pick me up, clean me off, and put me on the path again. Thank You. Amen.
After the incident in which the evil spirit jumped on the seven brothers for misusing Jesus’ name, the people in the region around Ephesus realized the power that was in the Jesus that Paul proclaimed. Even the evil spirits recognized and submitted to Jesus, and Paul was His representative to the people. This fear translated into having a great deal of respect for Jesus. This incident became widely known among all the people of the region around Ephesus. This incident could have been disastrous for the name of Jesus. Even situations that could have been viewed as negative can work for the good. God’s name spread widely around with fear, respect, and honor.
There has been many times when my actions, which I thought were being done for God and in His purposes, turned out to fall apart or to be a disaster, yet God has used many, if not all, of them for His glory. I remember talking with a man about a difficult issue. He rejected my input and walked away from the relationship. Did I come on too strong? Had I overstepped my bounds? I wasn’t sure how I had blown it, yet the relationship was broken. A few years later, the same man saw me at a meeting and came over to talk. Upon joining another organization, he was challenged with the same input I had given him, and he just wanted to let me know that I was right and thanked me. While many situations fall apart, that particular relationship worked out.
Questions to consider: Have you ever done something that could be viewed as negative that turned out to be positive? Is there a situation that you are currently in that feels very negative? Is there anything that you need to do to improve the situation?
Prayer: Father, because of Your creative touch, You can work all things in my life according to Your purposes. I mess up many times, yet You are there to pick me up, clean me off, and put me on the path again. Thank You. Amen.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
August 18, 2011 - Acts 19:16
“Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.” Acts 19:16.
Seven brothers, whose father was a Jewish chief priest in the region around Ephesus, attempted to cast out an evil spirit from a person. They had seen Paul doing this and thought that they could do the same by using the name of Jesus. The spirit turned on the brothers, overpowered them, and beat them, leaving them naked and bloodied. Seven brothers overpowered by one spirit. These men obviously did not go forward with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and in dramatic fashion, they were beaten up.
One of the by-products of spending time getting to know and be known by God is that we can potentially know more clearly God’s timing on advancing His kingdom. Not only will we be in a better position to know what God desires for us to do, but we will know better His timing on doing it. One big mistake we make as followers of Jesus is to presume on God. By this I mean that we sometimes presume we know His timing for doing His work. We may hear the direction that He desires for us to go, but we haven’t been patient enough to wait on His timing. Because these seven brothers may not have had any understanding of God’s direction and timing, it is easy to see why they got into the mess that they did.
Questions to consider: Have you ever had direction from God, yet had wrong the timing for what He wanted done? What was that like for you? How willing are you to wait patiently for God’s proper timing?
Prayer: Father, I desire to do Your will, but I have been impatient and haven’t waited to do those things in Your timing? Forgive me, and help me to wait patiently for Your will to be done in Your proper timing. Amen.
Seven brothers, whose father was a Jewish chief priest in the region around Ephesus, attempted to cast out an evil spirit from a person. They had seen Paul doing this and thought that they could do the same by using the name of Jesus. The spirit turned on the brothers, overpowered them, and beat them, leaving them naked and bloodied. Seven brothers overpowered by one spirit. These men obviously did not go forward with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and in dramatic fashion, they were beaten up.
One of the by-products of spending time getting to know and be known by God is that we can potentially know more clearly God’s timing on advancing His kingdom. Not only will we be in a better position to know what God desires for us to do, but we will know better His timing on doing it. One big mistake we make as followers of Jesus is to presume on God. By this I mean that we sometimes presume we know His timing for doing His work. We may hear the direction that He desires for us to go, but we haven’t been patient enough to wait on His timing. Because these seven brothers may not have had any understanding of God’s direction and timing, it is easy to see why they got into the mess that they did.
Questions to consider: Have you ever had direction from God, yet had wrong the timing for what He wanted done? What was that like for you? How willing are you to wait patiently for God’s proper timing?
Prayer: Father, I desire to do Your will, but I have been impatient and haven’t waited to do those things in Your timing? Forgive me, and help me to wait patiently for Your will to be done in Your proper timing. Amen.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
August 11, 2011 - Acts 19:15
“One day the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?’” Acts 19:15.
In the region surrounding Ephesus, many people experienced bodily healing and release from the grip of evil spirits through the ministry of Paul in the name of Jesus. Having witnessed Paul casting evil spirits out of people, some Jews went about the region attempting to do the same. On one occasion, while attempting to cast a spirit out of one person, the evil spirit spoke back to them, recognizing Jesus and Paul but not the men casting it out. The spirit acknowledged the authority in which Jesus and Paul spoke, but did not recognize the authority of these men. It did not turn out well for those men, of which I will speak next week, but at this point, I desire to have us look at the authority of which Jesus and Paul spoke.
These men attempted to cast out the demon by invoking the “name of Jesus” about whom Paul preached. They used what they thought was a special (maybe even magical) formula to free people. They might have even had good motives for doing this, but were playing with fire, so to speak. When I invoke the name of Jesus, either in my prayers or for other reasons, I need to understand why I am using His name in this way. Is it because of some formula that I learned or is it from a heart-felt conviction that I am under the authority of Jesus? This verse (and the ones to follow) is a sobering to reflect on concerning the authority of God. Take some time to reflect on power of the authority of God.
Questions to consider: When you pray, do you always end “in the name of Jesus?” Do you know why you pray this way? Why do you suppose the evil spirit recognized Jesus and Paul? Would an evil spirit recognize you? Why or why not?
Prayer: Father, it is a mystery why You would allow me to pray with Your authority, but I realize that You do. Please guide me in the use of Your name with reverence, respect, and humility, recognizing that You are the source of all power. Amen.
In the region surrounding Ephesus, many people experienced bodily healing and release from the grip of evil spirits through the ministry of Paul in the name of Jesus. Having witnessed Paul casting evil spirits out of people, some Jews went about the region attempting to do the same. On one occasion, while attempting to cast a spirit out of one person, the evil spirit spoke back to them, recognizing Jesus and Paul but not the men casting it out. The spirit acknowledged the authority in which Jesus and Paul spoke, but did not recognize the authority of these men. It did not turn out well for those men, of which I will speak next week, but at this point, I desire to have us look at the authority of which Jesus and Paul spoke.
These men attempted to cast out the demon by invoking the “name of Jesus” about whom Paul preached. They used what they thought was a special (maybe even magical) formula to free people. They might have even had good motives for doing this, but were playing with fire, so to speak. When I invoke the name of Jesus, either in my prayers or for other reasons, I need to understand why I am using His name in this way. Is it because of some formula that I learned or is it from a heart-felt conviction that I am under the authority of Jesus? This verse (and the ones to follow) is a sobering to reflect on concerning the authority of God. Take some time to reflect on power of the authority of God.
Questions to consider: When you pray, do you always end “in the name of Jesus?” Do you know why you pray this way? Why do you suppose the evil spirit recognized Jesus and Paul? Would an evil spirit recognize you? Why or why not?
Prayer: Father, it is a mystery why You would allow me to pray with Your authority, but I realize that You do. Please guide me in the use of Your name with reverence, respect, and humility, recognizing that You are the source of all power. Amen.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
August 4, 2011 - Acts 19:11-12
“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Acts 19:11-12.
Illnesses cured by the touch of handkerchiefs? An apron used to heal the sick? That is very extraordinary! Yet that is what was happening, as God was performing amazing miracles through Paul. Paul continued to live and minister in Ephesus for two years, and during that time, God did astounding things among the Jews and Greeks living in the surrounding province. Paul went about doing the things that he normally did upon entering a new town. Only this time, it was different. While Paul did his normal activities, God moved in miraculous ways! Nothing had changed with Paul, yet God moved in a very dramatic manner, much more than what usually occurred in his ministry.
There have been times when I wondered why God wasn’t moving like I thought He should. I was doing all the right things. I prayed. I read my Bible. I said all the right words (in the right order!). I even fasted….okay…maybe I didn’t fast, but I was working hard and was available to be used by God to do miraculous things. So why did God move sometimes and not move most of the time? What I discovered is that I need to live my life doing what I believe God wants me to do, and God will do whatever He desires to do, when He desires to do it. Paul wasn’t concerned about whether or not God was using him. He knew that God was using him, and left the results in His hands.
Questions to consider: Why do you suppose God sometimes did these amazing miracles through Paul but didn’t do them most of the time? Do you think that a person must achieve a certain level of spirituality in order to be used by God? Have you seen God do any “extraordinary miracles?” Why do you suppose they happened?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your involvement in our lives. Thank You for loving us and for stepping into our world, especially most clearly in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Illnesses cured by the touch of handkerchiefs? An apron used to heal the sick? That is very extraordinary! Yet that is what was happening, as God was performing amazing miracles through Paul. Paul continued to live and minister in Ephesus for two years, and during that time, God did astounding things among the Jews and Greeks living in the surrounding province. Paul went about doing the things that he normally did upon entering a new town. Only this time, it was different. While Paul did his normal activities, God moved in miraculous ways! Nothing had changed with Paul, yet God moved in a very dramatic manner, much more than what usually occurred in his ministry.
There have been times when I wondered why God wasn’t moving like I thought He should. I was doing all the right things. I prayed. I read my Bible. I said all the right words (in the right order!). I even fasted….okay…maybe I didn’t fast, but I was working hard and was available to be used by God to do miraculous things. So why did God move sometimes and not move most of the time? What I discovered is that I need to live my life doing what I believe God wants me to do, and God will do whatever He desires to do, when He desires to do it. Paul wasn’t concerned about whether or not God was using him. He knew that God was using him, and left the results in His hands.
Questions to consider: Why do you suppose God sometimes did these amazing miracles through Paul but didn’t do them most of the time? Do you think that a person must achieve a certain level of spirituality in order to be used by God? Have you seen God do any “extraordinary miracles?” Why do you suppose they happened?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your involvement in our lives. Thank You for loving us and for stepping into our world, especially most clearly in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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