June 29 devotional

Scripture

Acts 19: 17-20, 26 “The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. A number of them who had been practicing magic brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect. Verse 26 “As you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren’t gods at all. And this is happening not lonely here is Ephesus but throughout the entire province!”

Observation

The revival in Ephesus had a profound effect upon the community.

1) People who were involved in witchcraft burned their materials in a public bonfire. The worth of the books was several million dollars. Notice that Paul did not guilt them into burning the books, it was the conviction of the Holy Spirit. When there is true revival, there is conviction of sin. People will experience the Holy Spirit dealing with their lives and voluntarily get rid of sin.

2) People stopped buying the idols. One silversmith lost so much business that he started a riot. His greed fought against the revival. When there is true revival, people’s purchasing habits will change. What they once spent money on, they will no longer buy.

Notice that the silversmith said this was not only happening in the city limits but the whole province was being changed by the move of God.

True revival will change a community. Bars will close because of a lack of business. The crime rate will drop. Drug dealers will go bankrupt. The jails will be empty. Life will change. We call this transformation. A spiritual awakening will transform a community.

Application

This is what we need today in America. We need a spiritual awakening that will lead to transformation. We do not need another church or government program. We need revival. We need transformation. How do we experience revival? If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land. We must call upon God for transformation. We need to change the spiritual climate of America.

Prayer

Father I ask that you send a revival to every church and a spiritual awakening to America. I ask that it will lead to transformation. That the very nature of our community will change. Send a fresh outpouring of your Holy Spirit. Fill me afresh and anew today. I want to be a change agent for the kingdom of God. I want to experience a change of the spiritual climate of Henderson County.