Imitation power
Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. Acts 19:19
It is always disturbing to me when I hear about people messing with sorcery wizardry. I don’t know why I am surprised since God put a void in each one of us that only He can fill, we as humas feel drawn to the spirit world. Always looking for supernatural power and ability to do things that are beyond this world. Sadly, even many Christians dabble in fortune telling, divination and horoscopes thinking that it doesn’t hurt anyone. Instead of turning and trusting God and His timing, many people turn to the worlds way of believing spirits can tell them the future.
Today’s reading starts out with God working many great signs and miracles through Paul. He was drawing large crowds of people because of the power of God being released through him for healing the sick and casting out demons. When some chief priest tried to do what Paul was doing, they were overpowered by an evil spirit and badly beaten. Why? Because they didn’t personally know the One with the power, they were just trying to copy what Paul was doing without having the authority as a child and minister of God for the job. After that, many who were practicing magic brought their books about the subject together and burned them out in the open for everyone to see. They got rid of the spirit of witchcraft and received salvation. Only then did the word of the Lord grow and prevail in that area.
In the world we live in today and even in our own towns and neighborhoods, how much of this dark practice is going on? We don’t see it out in the open, but many have subjected themselves to satanic forces but mostly, we can see the oppression of the evil one as a result. Depression, anger and souls tormented. Now more than ever, the world around us need the saving grace of our Lord Jesus. Begin today to pray for our neighborhoods and towns and for the demonic forces to leave and never return. Take authority over your cities in the name of Jesus and ask Him to show you supernatural insight of how to help the Word of the Lord grow mightily and prevail over all the darkness in your corner of the world.
Today I want to encourage you that if you or someone you know has messed with enemy spirits, turn away and run to your Father in heaven. He will empower you to get rid of the evil and never let it back in. For those who you know are involved in darkness, pray for them and ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discerning to help your loved one out of the trap they have fallen into. Don’t settle for an imitation of power by trying to get it from God’s enemy, trust the true source of all goodness and strength by following the Word of God and all His ways.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 19:11-20
11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,
12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.
13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.
19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
The Daily Dose 