Acts 19:8-20

Be still: Father I am here, help me to open myself to you. Amen

Read: Acts 19:8-20 

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul. (v11)

Encounter: God is moving and active in the world. Here we see God do amazing things through Paul’s ministry. People were being healed and set free. The Gospel was being spread, and many were starting to hear about the name of Jesus.

As the fame of Jesus grew there were some people who thought that they could monopolise the trend. Rather than seeing Jesus as God whom they need to submit to, they thought the name of Jesus could be ‘used’ like a talisman or a magic spell. The big question here is: who is the one who has power – is it humanity or is it God? In other words, can I use God to do what I want to do?

We see the answer in a shocking story when some people try to use the name of Jesus to cast out an evil spirit, the evil spirit overpowers them, and they are left embarrassed in the sight of many. The power of Jesus, is not a tool for us to use to make ourselves look good. God does amazing things through us, but this is an overflow of our relationship with God.

We learn here that it’s not about Paul or you or me; primarily it is about God and what God is doing in the world. The ministry and the glory belong to God, we can’t force God to do anything.

Apply: What really matters is that we have a real relationship with God – the one who loves us! Out of that place of love overflows the power to transform lives. So, let’s be intentional about our relationship with God, making time to be with him daily. Then he will lead us in the right way to serve our friends, families, workplaces and people we encounter.

Devote: Holy Spirit, would you pour out you love into me and cleanse me from the inside out.