Today's Passage - Acts 19:23-24

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River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Acts 19:23-24 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: "Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty." When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" Soon the whole city was in an uproar.... When Paul was preaching the gospel in Ephesus, he encountered a great obstacle related to the worship of goddess Artemis at the place. Who is Artemis? According to Greek mythology she is the goddess of moon who's also named Diana, and she's responsible for reproduction. Her upper body is covered with multitude of breasts and there's a snake hanging over her. Many ancient civilizations and countries that were influenced by them have similar practice of worshipping queen of heaven or earth, such as Mazu of Taiwan. These goddess bound the spirits and lives of people, causing difficulties for the gospel to spread in these areas.   We also often encounter obstacles when we want to spread the gospel wherever we are. These obstacles can be related to regional strongholds, such as idols that are worshipped locally or trend and fashion of the time that bind people's hearts just like idols. It could also be materialism that deters hearts of people from coming to God.   In addition, these strongholds may also be the sins in the hearts of people; not just personal sins, but they can also be sins of the family or of earlier generations that have been inherited. These sins can bind the hearts of people so that they cannot open up to God and receive His grace. When we preach the gospel, we must clearly understand the strongholds of a particular area. May the Holy Spirit open our eyes to see these strongholds, and may God help us to stand firm on the foundation of the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Let us proclaim victory in the name of the Lord in order to break all the bondages from the strongholds, so that the hearts of people will be released to turn back to the true God! Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, please reveal to us the strongholds around us. We ask that you break all of them so that the hearts and souls around us may be set free and open up to you, and get to know you better. Let us engage in this spiritual warfare and be victorious. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

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