Monday, June 5
Start with me
Scripture: Acts 19
Acts 19:20 In this way the word of the Lord continued to grow in power and to prevail.
Observation
This verse follows a description of Paul’s ministry, and an incident involving Jewish exorcists who used the name of Jesus like magic and were overcome. When this story became widely known, the new believers confessed their sin and those who had been practicing magic (sorcery, witchcraft) brought their books of incantations and spells and burned them, publicly repenting.
“In this way, the word of the Lord continued to grow in power and prevail.”
The gospel is the power of God for salvation—and that power caused people to repent and change. These new Christians had brought with them into their new life forbidden practices from the old life. When they repented and abandoned these practices, the gospel grew and prevailed.
Application
I long to see the word of the Lord—the gospel of Jesus—grow in power and prevail in our culture. For that to happen, I believe that Christians need to repent and change. Many of us, like those in this story, are clinging to our old ways. That lack of change negatively impacts our influence in the world and negates the power of the gospel. Why would anyone believe a gospel that leaves us unchanged, still trapped in our old ways?
We need to humbly ask God to search our hearts and show us where we need to confess and repent. There is no use praying for revival without starting at home, with ourselves. Lord, change me first!
Prayer: Lord, I love You and I want the word of the Lord to grow in power and prevail. Let it happen! And let it start with me. Show me where I need to repent and change, and help me do it!
More: 1 Kings 17-18, Philippians 1