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The Trouble with Artemis

By: Lynn McCoy

Posted: August 4, 2016

Category: Daily Devotional

In Acts 19 we have a bit of a rabble rouser in Demetrius. You see, he had been bringing in a good income as a silversmith by making silver shrines of the god Artemis.

He called them together along with the workers in related trades and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.” Acts 19:25-26

It is pretty easy to imagine what could happen if someone new came to town and started talking about a different approach to understanding and worshiping God. Especially when that different approach was not in line with how I was making a living! It didn’t take long at all for the city to be in an uproar. And still Paul does not stop. He continues to be the disciple that God wants and expects him to be. His teaching skills and his physical endurance must have been beyond compare. But it was his faith and the Spirit of the Lord that touched him and allowed him to continue his discipleship to build the foundation for our church.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me to understand and remember that it is through your spirit that I am given the strength each day to live my life. Remind me to keep You in my sights and to not be distracted by the daily interruptions that can lead me away from what You have ready for me to do and be. Amen.