“And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.” – Acts 19:19

When God graciously gives us new life through faith in His Son Jesus, it’s truly meant to be new life. Completely new. That means there are aspects of each of our lives that we’re each called to get rid of because they don’t please Lord Jesus. That may well include things that are very precious to us and very much part of how we previously identified ourselves.

In Ephesus, many were coming to saving faith in Jesus. Their new life in Christ compelled them to reject their old practices and possessions associated with performing magic. Though they’d been practicing sorcery for many years, made money from it, and found power and status in it, there is no place for sorcery in their lives as followers of Jesus. Rather than keep the temptation around, they burned their precious spell books and were glad to do it, because they’d received new life and the overwhelming power of the Holy Spirit in them!

When we choose Jesus, it must not be a half-hearted choice of divide loyalty. We can’t truly follow Jesus while also holding onto those things about our old lives that we enjoy but which disobey Him. Faith in Jesus means a new heart, new passions, new loyalties, and new identity. For every believer in Jesus!

Take time today to assess your loyalties. Are you holding onto a habit, pattern, hobby, or practice that goes against God’s will and design? Are you still doing things that reflect divided loyalty between Jesus and the things of the world? If you are, stop making excuses for it! Stop trying to explain it away. Do like the Ephesians and decisively cut all ties to your past sinful practice or lifestyle to fully follow Jesus!

“And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” – Acts 18:12

Paul never knew how long he would stay in a place or when he would need to move on. He simply followed the cues of the situation and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Usually, he didn’t stay very long before opposition built and crowds were mobilized against him. He would arrive, preach, help those who embraced Jesus begin to form churches, and leave when things got violent. He wasn’t afraid of this and it didn’t discourage him. This unpredictability was part of his mission.

In Corinth, however, God told him to stay despite rising opposition. While Paul never seemed to fear opposition that forced him to leave, it seems he may have feared staying. Nonetheless, the Holy Spirit made clear there were many in the city who needed to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. God protected Paul so he could stay in Corinth for a year and a half. He strengthened and encouraged Paul to stay, no matter what.

For us today, called to share Jesus with those we encounter in our lives, we must learn to follow God’s lead in the same way. Opposition, persecution, and seeming failure are likely if we’re faithfully following Jesus in word and deed. Don’t automatically assume they mean it’s time to give up, pack it in, and move on. Seek God’s will.

When is He calling you to persist with someone or some place that needs to hear about Jesus? When is He releasing you to move on? This isn’t an easy question! It must be a matter of prayer and fasting. Yearn to hear God’s voice on the matter before turning away from something or someone you believe God called you to. Nonetheless, be asking God the question – don’t just assume He never intends for you to move on. To follow Jesus is to live a life with more unpredictability than you might prefer. Nonetheless, this is the way of your Master, the way of those who came before you, and the way you’re called to walk today. Hold your plans loosely and seek God’s will!

“One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.”
– Psalm 27:4

When David made this request, he had to go to a particular place to enjoy the presence of the Lord. 3000 years later, we have a wonderful advantage he didn’t! As followers of Jesus, we don’t have to go to a particular place to experience God because if Christ is your Savior, then God’s Holy Spirit lives within you. Every true Christian is a walking, talking temple of the Holy Spirit!

As a believer in Jesus, you can enjoy fellowship with God through prayer and worship in your home. And in your car. And in your workplace or classroom. And while doing errands and chores. You can talk with God, listen to Him, and praise Him. You can meditate on His Word and inquire of His will. Any day, any time, any place. But are you?

Are you cultivating a life that enjoys God’s continual presence? Are you speaking with Him often? Are you listening for His voice throughout the day? Are you lifting up praise and worship daily? In Christ, we’re blessed with the awesome advantage of God’s constant presence but we must cultivate a life that practices and experiences it, otherwise this blessing does us little good. As we head into the holiday season, step back from the usual hustle and bustle and make time to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord!

“Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.”
– Psalm 25:16-17

King David knew seasons of loneliness, distress, suffering, persecution, depression, and despair. You may know such seasons in your life as well. This can be particularly as the holidays draw near. Thankfully, David also knew that God was with him and he teaches that to us through the psalms. In David’s loneliness, he knew that he was never abandoned or forsaken by God. The psalms express the raw cries of his heart but always conclude in faithful confidence in God’s power, presence, and goodness. In his distress, David didn’t turn from God or against God. He turned to God, pleading for and anticipating the day that God’s light would break through the darkness in David’s heart and soul.

If and when your heart and mind begin to be overwhelmed by a sense of loneliness, affliction, distress, or despair take those things to God. Be constant and honest in sharing everything that troubles your heart through prayer. Even if you don’t feel God’s presence, trust His Word that He’s present and listening. Seek to draw nearer to Jesus during seasons of spiritual dryness. Once you break-through you’ll find your fellowship with Him all the sweeter. You’ll probably also realize that He was with you every step of the way.

Give thanks that God is a loving Father Who is present and listening at all times. Give thanks that Jesus is Your Savior Who understands both temptation, suffering, and loneliness. Give thanks that if Christ is your Lord, then the Holy Spirit lives within you and seals you as God’s precious child.