Read Acts 19:11-22
Title in NIV: God performs extraordinary miracles through
Paul.
Even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul were
taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left
them.
Do you think these types of miracles happen today? I do! We
may say they are coincidences or unexplained. But, they are miracles from God.
Denying those miracles basically denies God still has power. Can we really limit God by just not believing? I think not. There is a person in my
congregation that was healed. The doctors said there was no real explanation. The
person healed knows exactly what happened. Prayers were answered with a ‘yes’
in this situation and that person was healed. There are so many other examples out there. Look around!
Some Jews were trying to drive out evil spirits, but they
could not do it. Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were trying to
invoke the name of Jesus. The demon possessed man asked who they thought they
were. He said, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” The
demon possessed man jumped on them and over powered them all. He gave them such
a beating that try ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
I think they were trying to trick the spirit and use the
name of Jesus even thought they personally did not believe in Jesus. Look at
the words they used in verse 13, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches...” They
didn't say, “In the name of Jesus, our Savior, whom we believe in”. We
can’t trick God with the motives of our heart.
The Jews and Greeks were seized with fear and the name of
the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Was that because of the healing or the beating? Many came openly and confessed their evil deeds. Evil scrolls were burned
that were valued in the thousands of dollars.
The word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. I think of the word of the Lord spreading as fast as the wildfire in California. Be like the wildfire.
Paul decided it was time to go to Jerusalem
by way of Macedonia
and Achaia.
Blessings. Don't forget to read my kingdom study.
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