Summer Devotional:
​No Other Name - A Devotional on the Book of Acts

Day 39 – July 15th, 2021
Read Acts 19:23-20:2

Helpful Background
In the ongoing conflict between all-powerful and infinite God and limited, finite darkness, every advance of good is met with intense resistance from evil. And often, the love of money is at the root of evil.  The financial profits of a few businessmen in Ephesus were negatively impacted by the growing spiritual fire to follow Jesus, and to abandon pagan ways.  These few who saw their financial profits shrinking reacted badly, and tried to stir up the mob to riot and violently attack the Christian leaders.  This incident did not impact the plans of the apostle Paul, as he had already been planning to leave Ephesus to continue his travels to share the Good News and check in on the young Churches.

Questions - (20:1-2) What happened after the riot?  What did Paul do?  Why did he depart?  Where did Paul go next?  Why?  

Who was instrumental in your life in helping you to meet and/or follow Jesus? 
Pam and Mark V. immediately come to mind as role models for me in my walk to follow Jesus.  From them I learned that there was so much more to being a good Christian than just weekly church attendance and treating others the way you want to be treated.
Through working with Pam and Mark on the Spring Sale planning committee, Ed and I broadened our circle of church friends and saw the Lord bless everyone’s efforts. Now we participate in their weekly Vine Group where we (with the help of Brian Ralston) study God’s word and see how it applies to our lives.  Pam and Mark have a deep love of Jesus and a vast understanding of scripture. They welcome any questions I might have, and they are willing to fill in the background I need to keep up with the discussions. I still have a long way to go, but thanks to Mark and Pam I’m inspired and off to a good start. – Shared by Jean H.

Grab your journal or use the notes section on your phone.
Respond to the Scripture reading with your thoughts, questions, and/or prayer response to today’s Bible verses.​

For more background information & study questions on the Book of Acts, check out Brian Ralston's handouts here.