THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA FOR TODAY.
READ: Acts 19:32-41 (NKJV)
- Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
- And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people.
- But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great [is] Diana of the Ephesians!”
- And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the [image] which fell down from Zeus?
- “Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly.
- “For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.
- “Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.
- “But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly.
- “For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.”
- And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
ANGLICAN COMMUNION DEVOTIONAL OUTLINE FOR 3RD AUGUST 2020
In our study yesterday, we read about how Demetrius tried to incite the craftsmen in the city of Ephesus against Paul and his fellow workers because they preached against idolatry and people were throwing away their idols. This incitement came as a result of fear that they might lose their means of livelihood.
In our study today, we discover that their accusation could not hold against Paul and his fellow workers (verse 32) because God was at work in favour of Paul and his fellow workers (verse 37).
When you preach the right Gospel and message to the people, God will be there to defend you against any attack. He has promised to be with you till the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). God expects you to preach the truth without fear of intimidation (Matthew 10:20) and He will handle the aftermath of the message. He expects you to preach the truth in your office, market place and in your community. When you do this, hold on to God to defend you!
PRAYER: Lord, deliver me from fear that hinders me from speaking the truth in Jesus’ name! Amen.
The Anglican Communion is the fourth-largest Christian denomination. Founded in 1867 in London, England, the communion currently has 85 million members within the Church of England and other national and regional churches in full communion. {.…Read more...}
