Christian Devotional – December 5, 2012

VERSE:
Acts 19:27–“Not only is there danger that this trade of our fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.”

TRUTH:
Demetrius was an idol maker and when he saw Paul preaching, he got worried and gathered together his fellow idol makers and started a riot. He argued that this salvation that Paul preached was bad for business and that the main attraction that brought in out-of-town visitors would become irrelevant. People are focused on income and the economy today, just like Demetrius. Are we using that as an excuse not to share the message of Jesus, or as a reason not to believe in Jesus? God is greater than both our income and the economy and deserves more focus than both.

RESPONSE:
Father, even as people debate these two issues today, You are greater than both. I will focus on You and not get distracted by the constant debate about what is good for our economy or our personal income. I will focus on being obedient to You and not allow these other issues to persuade me to be disobedient to You.