Things went badly... (Acts 19:21-41, Matt. 21:21-22, Exodus 20:3-4)

This is Mt. Rainier in Washington State
"Never underestimate the power of prayer"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.
Paul liked to travel and share the good news about Jesus wherever he went.  I would think he needed some time to recuperate read the scriptures and worship the Lord.  They didn't have cars, planes or trains back then.  It was all on donkeys or walking.

23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said:“Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”
There was a lot of idol worship in these times.  Diana was supposed to be the goddess of the hunt and wild animals.  She would've been what people would pray to for food and also taming and talking to animals.  People in this time period made idols of her hoping she would bring good luck.  "The Way" was the name early Christians used to describe themselves. Truthfully though, it was all about the money.  In these verses they aren't as concerned about worshiping idols as they are losing their income.

28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 

29 So.the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions. 30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. 32 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. 33 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. 34 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!”
In all the chaos, in verse 32 everyone was confused as to what was going on.  They actually didn't even know why they were there.  It was a crowd mentality, people felt they should add their opinions.

This reminded me of when I was working in computer programming.  My job was to document the interface between two systems at Boeing.  The only problem was, the guys refused to cooperate.  So, I decided I'd wear a bicycle helmet to work.  When I got to the meeting everyone was smiling...  ok maybe the bicycle helmet helped... they all laughed.  My boss was nervous because it was a very important system.  No problem though. Everyone cooperated with each other.  When we finished I went back upstairs and my boss, "Van Cleland,"  was pacing.   So I told him it went fine.  The girl that sat next to me asked loudly, "Karen did you pray?"

So I told her, "I sure did!!!"  My boss smiled and said, "Whatever works."  

35 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? 36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 38 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. 
Don't you just love when a voice of reason stands up and brings peace in a bad situation?  This is a good lesson for all of us I think.  The first two commandments of the 10 Commandments are, 

"1 You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image." Exodus 20:3-4.

So Paul was absolutely right in saying  to these people that they shouldn't worship idols.  They should worship the living, real God.  Sometimes people hear the truth and they just don't want to believe at the moment.  In this case the people didn't want to lose their income.  It doesn't mean there's no hope for them.  It means God will work in their hearts.
39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. 40 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.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
(Acts 19:21-41 NKJV)

This song is from Dan Bremmes,  "Our God (link)"

God's hand in our prayers (Acts 19:11-20, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, James 5:16)

"He makes His servants flames of fire (Hebrews 1:7)"
© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

My husband and I had a funny situation at Church last week.  I love to sing to the Lord.  For me it's the best way to worship.  It's like being in His throne room.  

So we found our seats and waited for the service to start.  When the music started I heard this voice behind me... it was hard to describe.  She was completely off key.  I tried to move forward in my seat but didn't want to fall on the floor and draw attention.  Then the still small voice whispered and I realized her song was the most beautiful voice in the room to God.  I sensed His smile.  He loved her song.  While we seek perfection, Our Heavenly Father? He sees our hearts.  All our songs are symphonies to Him with faith.


Don't know about you, but these verses always give me courage.  I can be very foolish at times.

27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
(1 Corinthians 1:27-29 NKJV) 

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. 
When I first read this I was a bit confused.  But if I read this verse correctly.  It wasn't Paul, it was God who worked the miracles.  Paul was being a servant, allowing God's hand to help.  That's what it's like to be a servant.  Asking for the impossible, hoping for a miracle, and then healing comes.  

16 Therefore,confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (James 5:16 NASB77)

I've had some good times in prayer.  At one time, I was on a Christian Forum.  I joined the prayer team.  One day a young man asked me to pray for him so he could pass his finals.  So I prayed that God would relax his mind and bring to mind all he'd learned.  He was so excited when he passed.  He told more kids to ask for prayer for finals.  Being part of miracles is really awesome.  It restores faith.  It wasn't my words that mattered, it was that I was a servant allowing God to do some miracles.

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.” 
Hmmm...  Someone's putting the cart before the horse here.  First we have to believe Jesus is Lord, the Son of God.  So I'm not sure this will go well...

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?”
Ok, so  evil spirits know Jesus.  Yet the Chief Priests and Pharisees had no clue.    It's sort of like saying, "We exorcise you because of the doohickey or thingamajig.  You know like He said."  That's why Jesus is in our hearts, to serve Him, protect those who are vulnerable.  And pray hard.  God is perfectly able to understand what we're trying to say.  It's best not to be too serious, when we pray and sing. 

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. 
So this really didn't go well at all.  It would be so humiliating to run in the streets naked and wounded.  Somewhere along the line, the chief priest forgot his duties.  And no longer listened to God's still small voice.  

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.

(Acts 19:11-20 NKJV)

The light that shines in darkness (Acts 19, John 15:15-18, Acts 2:1-12)

"With the Holy Spirit, we have the light of life"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

I finished a watercolor painting this week of apple blossoms.  I had a photo of them and hadn't looked at it in a while.  So I had to paint it.   I also need to help with the bills.  So I'm hoping it will sell in a gallery.

1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”

So they said, “Into John's baptism.”

4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were about twelve in all.


Paul is describing, "Pentecost."  After Jesus was crucified, He said He would send the Helper to be with us.  Pentecost is the day the disciples received the Holy Spirit in their hearts.  I received the Holy Spirit when I accepted Jesus as my Savior.  The first time I asked the Holy Spirit for words to say, I was speaking in a Church and my mind went blank.  It was very awkward.  So I asked Him for words.  It came out of my mouth beautifully!  He also helps me out when me and my husband have a disagreement.  I usually step back and ask for the words.

Jesus said, 

“15 If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."
(John 14:15-18 NKJV)

Jesus promised we would have a helper, "His Holy Spirit."   You can just imagine how exciting it must've been when tongues of fire came from Heaven and rested on the disciples.  This is the way in which the Holy Spirit came to mankind.

1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean
(Acts 2:1-12 NKJV)

The Apostle Paul continued trying to reason with those in the synagogue.  Like Paul, I tend to believe if someone isn't interested I should still be kind to them.  Paul decided it was time to move on so he preached to those in Asia.  

8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. 9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
(Acts 19:1-10 NKJV)

This is a beautiful song from Lauren Daigle
Lauren Daigle, "Light of the World (link)"