Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started.

Welcome to our Bible study today, focusing in on Acts chapter 19. Paul's third journey takes him to Ephesus, where he stays for two years.

He first meets disciples who had only experienced John's baptism. He teaches them about the Holy Spirit from God and baptizes them in Jesus' name.

Paul then lays hands on them imparting the power of the Holy Spirit.

Extraordinary miracles occur through Paul,

demonstrating God's limitless power.

Later, some exorcists attempt to invoke Jesus' name without true faith

and are overpowered by a demonic spirit,

leading many to renounce occult practices and burn their sorcery books. Paul's teachings about Jesus ultimately challenged the

idol-making trade, angering a craftsman named Demetrius. A riot breaks out as many of the people

worship a goddess named Artemis. After two hours, the town

clerk finally calms the crowd and the mob disperses. Like Apollos in chapter 18, Paul encounters

individuals with incomplete knowledge of Christ and his will. He teaches them the full truth of the gospel,

leading them to be, quote, baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. These accounts guide us in how

to help believers with limited understanding. Paul asks questions to discern their beliefs and explains

God's truth simply and clearly. He wisely reasons with others,

avoiding an adversarial approach, and this leads to, quote, the word of the Lord growing mightily

and prevailing. Share the word with kindness, building on the truth people already know.

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