Daily Scripture Threshing for Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Today’s Text: Acts 19:11-20
Key Verse: Acts 19:19 (ESV): "And a number of those who had practiced magic arts 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."
It was a pivotal moment in the early Church, the gospel power was alive because believers were united in prayer and preaching (with teachings) of the gospel which is the power of God unto salvation. That is what happens when people believe the gospel and demonstrate their commitment by burning their magical scrolls, valued at 50,000 pieces of silver. Unfortunately, today's church wants to see people reject their occultic practices, Halloween, lesbianism, lebertinism, abortion and other corrupt and evil works of darkness while we are divided, prayerless and fail to preach the gospel. We are waiting for indecent politicians who, in themselves are not lovers of God, to change people and our community for us.
Like Ephesus, our cities and nation are hubs for various spiritual practices, including witchcraft and sorcery. This week, America has scheduled to celebrate Halloween, an evil tradition that originated from pagan and occult practices and worship. The love we've seen for this festival emphasizes an ongoing battle between good and evil, light and darkness. But the power that moved believers in Ephesus to burn their magical scrolls, and reject darkness is still alive today. We can experience similarly rejection of darkness and occult practices and associations if we all preach the gospel. People will shun darkness, embrace light and demonstrates commitment to Jesus Christ.
Paul's journey to Ephesus revealed twelve men who claimed to believe in Jesus but were unfamiliar with the Holy Spirit's work. Being associated to the church or identifying with the church are not what bring willingness to abandon sinful practices and surrender to God. It is encountering Jesus like Paul, and preaching of the gospel. Except there is repentance and transformation, people cannot experience change of heart that demonstrate the willingness to denounce evil by such actions as burning of magical scrolls of darkness. Where is this transformative power of the gospel today? Where are the Pauls of God who will step out of their comfort zones into our cities, besotted with beliefs in sorcery, magical arts, superstitions, sexual perversion and hate?
Action Steps: Seek spiritual renewal and personal transformation through prayer. Publicly share and spread the Gospel. Renounce sinful practices. Demonstrate love and kindness.
Quote for the Day: "When the people of God arise, darkness trembles, and the light of transformation shines bright." (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote).
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your word to me and my generation this day. As Your people arise, please fill us with Your Spirit. Transform our hearts.
Empower us to share Your love. Give us courage to stand against darkness — in Jesus's most glorious name. Amen.
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Thank you for being part of this journey. For additional reading on today's meditation, read: Acts 19:1-41; 2 Corinthians 5:17; and Ephesians 5:8-14.
Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide written for free distribution and edification of churches, homes, and individuals. For inquiries, free counseling, or deliverance, please, write or visit: The Darling Bishop, 2321 S Beltline Rd Suite ĺl144 Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA.
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With all my love and prayers,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.
Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)
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