Dearly Beloved, WHY ARE YOU THERE? “The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there” (Acts 19:32, NIV). The gospel ministry of Paul was flourishing in the then Asia Minor. The Bible says, “God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul” (Acts 19:11, NKJV). This led to the conversion of many people to the new Way. The new trend was a threat to the once blooming business of some silversmiths especially Demetrius who made silver shrines for Artemis, the goddess of the Ephesians. He called his colleagues in the business and intimated them about the danger the new Way might cause them and their business, as well as their esteemed goddess. When the other silversmiths heard this, they began to protest in defense of the goddess. This private protest led to an uproar in the city of Ephesus. Two of the companions of Paul were arrested and brought to the theater where they intended to punish them. The whole crowd that gathered at the theater was confused; some were shouting one thing while some others were shouting another thing because most of them did not actually know why they were there. They just joined the multitude. No wonder, they were all dismissed without accomplishing anything (see Acts 19:8-41). Many people today are like that crowd of Ephesus. They are in a cause without knowing the real purpose of the cause. They see other people in it, and they joined them doing it. Many are in a profession because their friends are doing it. Many are in a political party without thinking whether their ideologies are in line with the ideologies of the party. Many even hold certain religious beliefs without personal convictions about such beliefs. Inasmuch as the beliefs are popular in their locality, they can die for the beliefs. This ought not to be so! Have you ever asked yourself why you are where you are? Do you have a personal purpose for doing what you see other people doing? Have you ever thought of what would happen to you personally if you are to defend yourself for the action you join others to do? Why are you doing what you are doing presently? Why are you in that particular place now? The Bible says, “For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'Every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:10-12, NIV). If this is so, you as a person need to know distinctively why you are doing what you are doing. Why are you there? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). NB I have just created a Yahoo group for sending of inspiring quotes/prayer wishes everyday! This is different from the weekly devotional messages that you have been receiving from me. If you want to be part of this, do any of these two options: a) visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigestdaily/ and join the group; or b) send an empty mail to spiritualdigestdaily-subscribe@... and reply the confirmation mail that comes after that. WARNING: if you would not be reading your mails everyday or constantly do not subscribe to this group! The reason is that the messages may be too much for you by the time you open your mailbox after a long time. If you have inspiring quotes/prayer wishes, you can send them to me. They will add to my reservoir of knowledge and I may be led to use any of them one day. God bless you! _________________________ Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). +234 805 515 9591 http://www.afolabayo.org/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/ "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN" (Philippians 1:20-21, NIV). _________________________________________________ FindLaw - Free Case Law, Jobs, Library, Community http://www.FindLaw.com Get your FREE @JUSTICE.COM email! http://mail.Justice.com