Giving our best

The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect. Acts 19:17-20 As Paul and the disciples continued to share the message of salvation, the number of people believing in the message grew. One of the changes that was evident in the life of these believers was abandoning their former practice of worshiping idols which was widespread in Ephesus. Before, they were not giving honor to what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross, yet as it became clearer to them through the message Paul was proclaiming, “Fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. It was the conviction of the Spirit of God that people turned from their old ways and “confessed their sinful practices.” “A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars” (Acts 19:19).The disciples’ testimony of godly living and the sharing of the message of salvation drew people to Christ. They realized that worship only belongs to the One-true-God. People were set free from the bondage of their religious practices that they started to leave their worship of idols. Anything that takes the place of prominence of God in the life of a person is idolatry. Idolatry can take many forms. When we place our devotion and energy to possessions, pleasures, fame and careers we are guilty of idolatry. The people around us should see the difference Christ made in our life and in our desire to serve and magnify Him in everything we do. As Christians, we are called upon to be diligent in serving God by ministering the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. Wherever God leads us, whether in our home, school, work, or church, we should give our best serving Him ministering His Word to others.

Blessings,

Noel De Guzman

www.my-wbc.com