Thoughts on Acts 19 - The Ephesian church

• "And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism." And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized int he name of the LORD Jesus." -Acts 19: 3-5 Paul challenged the Ephesians with this question because they had never heard of the Holy Spirit. By that leads to the question "Upon what were they saved by?" They answered that they were saved by the baptism of repentance, while enough BEFORE Jesus Christ came, it was no longer enough because Jesus' baptism was one of salvation and redemption. The point being made is that just repenting of your sins is NOT ENOUGH TO SAVE YOU. You have to have full salvation (repentance, belief AND a filling of the Holy Spirit) to save you from GOD's wrath.
• In verses 8-10, it speaks upon the power of the Holy Spirit upon the 12 men who were with Paul. They began to faithfully speak boldly and with wisdom for about 3 years. One thing that stood out to me? They went to Asia! Another thing is that they only moved on WHEN people continued in unbelief and there was no more work to be done. When the unbelievers died and reached the judgement, I wonder what excuse they would present to GOD...
• "But the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?" -Acts 19:15 So it goes that people saw the success of Paul through the Holy Spirit but some people didn't understand that it was the work of the Holy Spirit and NOT just the use of the name Jesus Christ. YES, the name of Jesus Christ has great power but it's through the Holy Spirit that miracles are done in his name. What happened to these guys? Essentially, the demon they were trying to drive out turned on them and destroyed them instead. The lesson here is that even the evil spirits KNOW Jesus, ACKNOWLEDGE his sheep but will not just stand down upon the mentioning of the name of Jesus without any backing by GOD.
• After the work done by the Holy Spirit in Ephesus, many believed and "came, confessing and divulging their practices." As there were many practitioners of the magic and the dark arts in Ephesus, they came forth and "brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver." This is in stark contrast to the rich young ruler who couldn't give his money away to attain salvation but, in my opinion, even MORE. These magicians used the dark arts for gains of this world that probably amounted to more than what the rich young ruler could do with his money. Also in contrast is the reason for the riot at Ephesus.
• "So the word of the LORD continued to increase and prevail mightily." -Acts 19: 20 It's by GOD's working that we are saved and not but our own power. The thing is that it doesn't say that the WORK of the LORD continued but the WORD of the LORD. The point being made is the power of the Bible. It alone has power to save. Miracles don't HAVE to be performed, GOD's existence doesn't NEED to be proven by a learnt scholar/scientist and no background knowledge is NEEDED for the Bible to be presented and for one to be saved. Thus is the power of the Word.
• To summarize the riot at Ephesus, the silversmiths realize that they're going to lose business because Paul and his disciples are converting people from buying their idols of Artemis. Just three main points here, 1) The silversmiths believed upon where they set their money, 2) GOD delivers and 3) Be careful in encounters with people of other religions. 1) This is fairly self explanatory but also a warning. I have no doubt that the silversmiths KNEW the truth but rejected it solely because it would mean they would go broke and have no money to support their family. If your treasures are in heaven, why would things of the earth matter that much? I understand that they might have to have provided for their families but the GOD I believe in provides. 2) When the townspeople rounded up several disciples, GOD used the towns clerk and gave him a very logical reasoning as to why they should not act rashly towards the disciples. The Bible doesn't mention the status of the man's soul but I have no doubt that he might've been born for that very reason! 3) In the towns clerk's reasoning, he states that "these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess." because although Paul said that Artemis was not a goddess, he still treated them with RESPECT and also was not irreverent towards their beliefs. Yes, there is only ONE true god but that does not mean we are disrespectful towards people whose beliefs are different.

*Written by the grace of GOD through two lunches of timmies. Though lunch is important, man does not live by bread alone and certainly not timmies. Jesus is the bread of life - he said that all that eats of him will never be hungry again.

The grace of GOD each and every morning

[Father, I give thanks. How could one believe that you don't answer prayers? You answer them immediately and so quickly at times! Oh, praise your name! I prayed for you to reveal your graces and your mercies anew to me and not even 5 minutes later you show me one. Ha, if only I had flipped to the wrong page on purpose would I be able to refute you. Daddy, I am but a child A child drowning in your sea of love! I do believe you have the best intentions for me whether it's to allow me to LEARN how to swim or if you're just going to pick me and rescue me for another time. Awesome GOD, what is NOT in your hands? If the Bible was written in today's age, it would say: Not even one particle collides without your knowing and not even one enzyme is denatured without you watching. So great is your love oh LORD that you would love me, a sinner. In Christ's name, Amen.]

I still find it funny have Psalm 119:5 can be logically attached to Psalm 119:71. I don't know how I skipped over a page but GOD, you're doing something here. I don't need a gigantic miracle to believe but GOD, this is enough for me!

Part Aleph of Psalm 119 talks about how to be blessed and that's by living according to GOD's world and by seeking Him with all your heart. It continues in v.5 as the psalmist prays that:

"Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees." -Psalm 119:5

Yes, I wish that I wouldn't stumble and I wouldn't fall so I could come before GOD with a pure heart that is unadulterated by the world that I'm living in.

On the next page, part Teth has a similar core meaning but is phrased slightly different in the sense that the psalmist asks for for a blessing and more knowledge of the word. He/she (it could be a female psalmist but that's very unlikely) refers back to when she was in trials and difficulties and realizes that they were for her own good. This is what is written:

"It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees." -Psalm 119:71

I pray for peace and this peace is what is granted. I go through trial and afflictions that I might learn your decrees! But Father, do not utterly forsake me for you are my life. Water and food I can live without but it's YOU that I cannot live without. You sustain and you give me strength. You ARE the living water!

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." -Lamentations 3: 22-23

In pursuit of GOD and His love...

Well, I've decided to give up facebook for the time being since it's not glorifying GOD in any way shape or form and it's just eating up my time that I can use in pursuit of GOD and becoming even MORE of a man seeking after His own heart.

What good is it to waste hours upon hours just hitting refresh and seeing what's happenings in other's lives if the end goal of that is not to glorify GOD? Instead of liking posts or commenting, would it not be better to just keep them in your prayers?

I've recently decided to read the gospel of John as to learn even more about Jesus' life and also to learn about his ministry on this earth. He didn't CHOOSE to come himself but he was SENT with a mission from the Father. As I was reading through John, I got to the part where Jesus goes into the temple and flies into a righteous anger. At the conclusion of this passage, this verse appears:

"Zeal for your house consumes me."

This passage comes from both John 2:17 and Psalm 69:9. When Jesus says this in the temple, he quotes the psalmist. Originally when the psalmist writes this, he says this with the meaning to want to seek for GOD and to want to be in His presence forever. As Jesus quotes this, he has the same meaning and intent but a different action as he actually ACTS upon his zeal. His actions are to clean up the temple and to drive out the money mongers and the sellers of specific sacrifices. The important part is that they both seek for GOD's house and, in turn, His presence and His glory.

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"Your love is deeper than any ocean higher,

Than the heavens reaches

Beyond the stars in the sky"

-Kutless, Jesus, LORD of heaven

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him." -Psalm 103:11

Every time I think of GOD's love, I revert back to this one analogy which I love...

In the Biblical times, the heavens were thought of as pretty high and pretty far. When GOD told His people that His love was that great, they realized how high the heavens were above the earth and that His love was just as great! Now, the most modern scientific idea is that the heavens (sky and space) are INFINITELY high above the earth! So what does this say about GOD's love? It not only tells us that His love for us is infinite but that He's all powerful and all knowing because it was in His plans and will that we'd discover the height of heavens! OH, HOW GREAT IS HIS LOVE FOR US!

1 John 4:18

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." -1 John 4:18

[Father, your love is perfect. I know you have the best plans in store for me but why am I still in fear? I know that all my sins are forgiven past, present and future. Would you give me some faith so I will not fear the unseen, GOD. With perfect love there is no fear but I am not perfect, I am far from perfect so Father would this love not originate from me but from you for your love IS PERFECT. Amen.]

I'm in no position to demand anything from the GOD most high, the maker of heaven and earth but I do wish for some reassurance. You give me the reassurance in the form of your word for you tell me that there is no fear in love. Does that mean I'm afraid because my love is imperfect? Yes.

[Creator of the universe and the bringer of life, would you calm my heart and show me what it is that matters. You can bless me anytime you want but I just need to trust you on this one. If you can watch out for the Israelites, you can surely watch out for me. I know I asked you for a sign or some reassurance but why do I need a miracle to believe? Have you not shown me enough already? My faith is weak, Father. I struggle. I'm imperfect. I need you and I need your love. You hold the world in your hands and above that, you hold MY hand. Your will be done. Amen.]

Prayer.

Father who art in heaven,

I need a stilling peace in my heart. I need a quiet and soft peace in my heart right now for unchecked, my heart rages on like a furnace. It could be that I'm utterly exhausted and my body/mind will take no more but GOD, I need some peace right now as the world swirls around me. Emmanuel.

Would you teach me as I would follow, would you send me as I would go and, above all, would I love you as you have loved me. I yearn for wisdom and for knowledge but would they not be my idols for all idols must be destroyed. Wisdom does come for you, the maker of heaven and earth. Knowledge is OF you and comes with the fear and reverence of you. Yes, Father, you have granted me what I know but I yearn for more. What you have given me is a blessing and GOD, I strive to encourage and to edify my brothers and sisters. All praise be to you for you are good for you have used me even though it may be something small.

I don't need to speak in tongues, I don't need to prophesy but Father, I want to teach. I want to lead. It's not my will that is to be done but yours so would that be done. Use me as you wish and would you help me to let go. What doesn't belong in my life is to be let go no matter how hard it is. If it means ruining my life, my goals and my dreams for your glory, then so be it. Would there be nothing that I seek that is of this world but everything I seek be for your kingdom. It's hard to see the light sometimes and it's hard to see something that is unseen but would you reveal yourself to me more clearly each and every day. Would I overflow with your love, O GOD.

In Christ Jesus' most holy and precious name,

Amen.

Shame&Mercy.

[Father GOD, I'd like to say a quick prayer for all those in desperation and need right now. They might not know of your existence but Father, be real to them. Be VERY real to them. Also, would you take this campus into your hands. I know you hold it in your hands already but the prayers going up are steady but few. GOD, this is your kingdom. This is your kingdom. Would you save this place and fill it with your glory. Daddy, this is what your kingdom is going to be built upon. It's going to be built upon those who used to wallow in their shame and those who were dead in their sin. These are the people you are going to save - would you save their souls, oh GOD. Save them. Amen.]

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Reading from Daniel 9.

Whenever I read prayers that have been recorded in the Bible, the first thought that occurs to me is the structure of the prayer. The reason for this is to learn how to pray as a Christian. If we observe GODly men during prayer and their format, I think there is much to gain. I've noticed that the general pattern comes along something like this.

1. Praise (Characteristics of GOD)

2. Admission of sin

3. Requests

4. Praise (Properties of GOD)

*Characteristics as in who He is and properties as to what He does.

"O LORD, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you." v.8

I have turned away from your commands and laws, I have not listened. Your cries for me to listen fell upon hardened and deafened ears. I was unfaithful and sought other things to replace you - I sought after idols and things of no worth. I gave up such a good thing for trash. Am I not foolish, GOD? Many times I have been rebuked, by the spirit and by others, but have I listened? No, I have not.

"Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of GOD, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you." v.11b

GOD, does your mercy not endure forever? I stand in shame and in awe but Father, your mercies never cease to amaze me. You could've destroyed me and crushed me like the insignificant creature I am but you chose to give me a second chance, and a third chance, and a fourth chance... The Law is the Law but you chose to have mercy on me, a sinner whom you loved before I even knew you. It's not that you negated the Law but that you sent your only Son to take the punishment for it and let me go. You sacrificed your son so I could go free.

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I come with a humble plea, Father.

Listen to the prayers and petitions of your servant.

Look upon us with favour.

This an empty place; GOD-less.

Light of the world, would you burn in this darkness.

Let us see your glory.

Would you let your face shine on us?