Psalm 148
Is there anyone, anything in all creation, that should not praise the Lord? Apparently not! And all creation does praise the Lord when you think of its beauty and complexity and mystery. Even the "fire and hail, snow and clouds, wind and weather...mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all livestock...young men and young women, old men and children...Let them all praise the name of the Lord. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven!"
As individuals we are important to God, just as every piece of creation is. As such we owe honor and praise to God. We are also a part of something much larger--that body of believers world wide. Together we make up a wonderful tapestry, just as all the parts of creation come together to make up a beautiful world.
Acts 19:8-20
Paul preached in the synagogue in Ephesus as long as it was tolerated, and when it wasn't, he moved to another location and continued teaching for two years, so that many Jews and Gentiles heard the word of the Lord. God worked unusual miracles through Paul (remember that the Word of God was not yet complete and God sometimes used signs and wonders to validate the truth of the message.) It's interesting that Satan's followers who tried to imitate the miracles were publicly humiliated. As a result, "A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored." Many confessed their sins and became believers. "So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect." Whenever God's Word is taught or preached, it's important the the name of the Lord Jesus is greatly honored. And then today, as in these ancient times, the message can spread widely and have a powerful effect.
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