Artemis
This w
eek we got the chance to go to Ephesus, Turkey. Yes, Ephesus, like the book of Ephesians, Ephesus. Don’t worry; I had no idea it was in Turkey either. Anyway, today I had two of the most powerful revelations that I have had on the trip thus far. The first began when my team did one of the coolest things I have ever done. We were sitting in the ruins of the main theater in Ephesus and decided to read the book of Ephesians out loud. We were the only ones in the theater; so we decided to each take a turn reading a chapter out loud. And I was up first. To be honest, I was a little nervous. I was scared that someone would see us and we would get kicked out. Even though Turkey is not a closed country, it is still very unpopular to be Christian and to preach about Jesus. I feared getting in trouble with the authorities; and that was my problem, I feared man. Timidly, I stepped down from the theater seats onto the main stage. 
Hands slightly shaking I turned to Ephesians 1 and began to preach. It was an incredible moment for me. Thoughts of Paul standing on the same spot preaching to the Ephesians thousands of years ago flooded my mind as I read. I envisioned the theater seats full of Jews and Gentiles, listening on the edge of their seats as they heard the good news of Jesus Christ for the first time. As we each took our turn on the stage, various tour groups made their way through the theater, each silently listening to the words being spoken. We got to preach where so many spiritual giants had stood before us. The best part is, we just did what we wanted to do in that moment. We didn’t set out to preach on the street corner. We didn’t go searching for converts or beating people with the Bible. The moment was truly organic. Who knows how many seeds were planted that day. I was amazed that people actually sat, listened, and some even applauded as the Gospel was read out loud in a 99.7% Muslim country. I learned that day to never fear the acts of man. Instead, my calling is to just fall more in love with the Lord daily and allow him to move me when he wants me to move, and for me to rest and be when he wants to love on me. It truly is wonderful that the Lord is calling us to just be still and know that He is God.
While we were sitting in the theater I began thinking about Paul’s visit to Ephesus as recorded in Acts. Acts 19 says that while he was there, Paul basically went in front of the temple of Artemis and declared that “gods made my human hands are no gods at all”. It angered the people so much that they all gathered in the theater and for 2 hours yelled, “Great is Artemis, god of the Ephesians!”
Let me provide a little background…During this time, Ephesus was one of the biggest cities in the world. It was a port city, and was therefore was home to many different types of people. Artemis, their god was one of the most worshiped gods in all of Asia, as well as the rest of the world. The influence of the Ephesians stretched far indeed. The temple built for Artemis is one of the ancient wonders of the world today. This town was completely devoted to their god. Paul and his companions caused such an uproar that the crowd was ready to kill him.
Paul’s friends prevented him from going into the theater, for fear of his life, but they stood boldly before the crowd.
This story really stuck me hard. Paul and his friends basically, in today’s equivalent, walked up to the Hagia Sofia and yelled that Allah is no god at all and that Jesus is the only true God. If they did that today, they would probably be killed instantly…but that thought never worried the Early Church.
I wonder if today we hold on too dearly to our own safety.
I wonder if we think quantity is greater than quality and that we will be able to “reach more people” if we keep on living.
I wonder what would have happened if Jesus thought that way?
I think sometimes we wait and do not do radical things like Paul because we don’t “get a vision from God” to do it. So we keep on waiting for an absolution that may never come. Hasn’t he already told us in his word that we will be persecuted on account of his name?
Scripture tells us that the Ephesians believed they were the guardian of the temple of one of the greatest gods in all of Asia. Artemis was the most powerful and most worshiped god. They loved their god so dearly that they yelled adoration for Artemis for two hours. That seems like an impenetrable religion. Yet Paul kept tilling the hard ground. He may never have seen any results….
And yet, No one worships Artemis anymore….
I wonder if during the riots Paul saw any hearts changed.
I wonder if he was concerned with his ruining his witness in those moments.
I wonder if he was worried about offending people.
It seems as though he merely preached the Word and let God do the rest. Too often I think I am scared to speak about Jesus because I fear it will hinder the fragile relationship that I am building with non-Christians.
But who am I to get in the way of God?
If He is passionately pursuing hearts like I think he is, I doubt I am going to be able to prevent it. Maybe God is just waiting for me to boldly tell people about him, and then he will move in hearts. John 6 says that the Father draws people to Jesus.
So are we called today to till the ground through consistent friendships?
Or are we still called to preach boldly everywhere we go like the Early Church did?
The whisper still remains…
No one worships Artemis anymore.
As the name suggests, the sportsbook will boost their odds,
thereby enhancing your profit prospective for specific games or events.
There’s also an extra $7,500 in bonus funds up for grabs if you are preparred to make a cryptocurrency deposit.
Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this site, as i want enjoyment, as this
this website conations in fact good funny data too.
From there, you can scroll through all of the games of
the day likee bets on the moneyline, spread, totl and alternate lines.
Titillation is a single of the prime attractions hostesses flirt and flatter.
Feel free to surf to my website – https://timeofficer.com/blog/index.php?entryid=188378
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter
to be really something which I think I would never understand.
It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
Kudos, Quite a lot of forum posts.
Feel free to visit my web site … https://www.camedu.org/blog/index.php?entryid=778878
Hello, after reading this amazing paragraph
i am as well glad to share my experience here with colleagues.
Glickman mentioned the greatest quantity-selecting method
is to have no technique at all.
I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping to check out the same high-grade content from you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own, personal blog now 😉
Hi to every body, it’s my first visit of this weblog; this webpage contains awesome and
really excellent stuff for readers.
In the eventt of anyy discrepancies, Indiana state
laws and lotery regulations prevail.
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading?
I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Great post! We will be linking to this particularly great content on our site.
Keep up the great writing.
I relish, cause I discovered just what I was looking for.
You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless
you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Link situs game Ace88.
Regards
Joint Life with Period Certain – Payments are mase for as long as
either tthe annuitant or joint annuitant (generally a spouse) is alive.
The player won a record-higher $two.04 billion Powerball jackpot.
When she gave birth to twin boys this year, a return to operate — she
had been a property manager for apartment buildings — looked
even significantly less plausible.
When she gave birth to twin boys this year, a return to operate — she
had been a property manager for apartment buildings — looked
even significantly less plausible.
Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance
from an established blog. Is it very difficult to set up your own blog?
I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick.
I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where
to start. Do you have any points or suggestions? Many thanks
Currently it sounds like Expression Engine is the top blogging platform out there right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
?????? ??????? ???????????? ????????? ????? ???????? ?????????? ????????.
Saved as a favorite, I like your blog!
Very good article. I certainly appreciate this site. Stick with it!
At this moment I am ready to do my breakfast, after having my breakfast coming again to
read more news.
I think this is among the most vital information for me.
And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on few general things,
The website style is great, the articles is really nice : D.
Good job, cheers
Kudos. Lots of forum posts.
I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your web
site. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?
A handful of my blog readers have complained about my site not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.
Do you have any solutions to help fix this problem?
Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog article or vice-versa?
My site goes over a lot of the same topics as yours and I think we
could greatly benefit from each other. If you are interested feel free
to shoot me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you!
Awesome blog by the way!
Hey there, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that,
awesome blog!
Incredible many of useful data!
Feel free to surf to my web-site :: https://www.divephotoguide.com/user/arletha92757082
Hi there, You have done a fantastic job. I’ll definitely digg it and personally recommend to my
friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this site.
Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better!
Reading through this post reminds me of my good old
room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will
forward this page to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read.
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks to my father who shared with me about this weblog, this webpage is really remarkable.
It’s an remarkable paragraph in favor of all the
web visitors; they will take advantage from it I am sure.
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as
though you relied on the video to make your point.
You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your
intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and
was curious what all is needed to get set up? I’m assuming
having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% certain. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Kudos
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.
I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will often come back later on. I want to encourage one to continue your great posts,
have a nice evening!
Hi! I understand this is somewhat off-topic however I had to ask.
Does managing a well-established website such as yours require
a large amount of work? I’m brand new to running a
blog but I do write in my diary daily. I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my experience and thoughts online.
Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or tips
for new aspiring bloggers. Thankyou!
I simply couldn’t depart your site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed
the standard information a person provide for your guests?
Is gonna be again often in order to investigate cross-check new posts
Awesome issues here. I’m very happy to peer your article.
Thank you a lot and I’m taking a look ahead to touch you.
Will you please drop me a mail?
Terrific article! That is the type of info that should be shared across the net.
Disgrace on Google for no longer positioning this submit upper!
Come on over and consult with my web site . Thanks =)
Your style is really unique in comparison to other people I have
read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you have
the opportunity, Guess I’ll just bookmark this web site.
?????????? ?? ????????????? — ??? ??????????????? ???, ???????????? ??????????????? ???????? ??????????????? ?????? ??? ?????????????? ??????????, ??????? ????????? ?????? ?????????? ??? ?????????? ???????????? ????????.
?????????? ?? ????????????? ?????? ??????????????? ????????? ? ?????????? ? ???????????? ?????????, ??????? ??????????? ???? ?????, ??????????????? ????????? ? ??????, ? ????? ???????? ???????????? ?????????? ? ????????? ????????????. ????????? ?????????? ?? ???????????? ???????? ???????? ??????????? ?????????? ??? ???????????? ?????.
Your article gave me a lot of inspiration, I hope you can explain your point of view in more detail, because I have some doubts, thank you.
????????????????? ???????? – ??? ???????? ???????????, ??????? ?????????? ?????????? ????????? ?????????? ? ????????????. ??? ???????????? ????? ???????????, ????????????? ?? ?????????????? ????????? ??????? ??? ?? ?????, ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????????? ????????.
????????? ?????? ?? ?????????????????? ? ??????? ??????? ?????????? ????????? ? ???????????????, ??? ???? ??????????? ????? ?????? ? ????? ???????????? ?? ? ???????????? ? ??????? ?????????. ??? ???????????? ??????????? ? ????? ???????????? ?????????? ???????, ??????? ? ??????? ???? ?????????? ??????? ???????????????.
Leave your response!
Welcome!
Great Blogs
Great Causes
Great Resources
My Links
My Team
Categories
View All Past Posts
Tags
Most Commented