God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches." Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified.
What is a counterfeit? A counterfeit is something that is deceptive or is meant to fool someone. Counterfeit money may look like real money made by our government but it is not. Counterfeit money is made by evil people who are trying to fool others into thinking it is real money. Counterfeit money is worthless and you can get into trouble if you pretend it is real money. Counterfeit money and real money are both made on paper and they look the same so why is there a problem? Counterfeit money is not recognized as having value by the government or people who are in power. Power makes the difference. Real money is backed by the power of the government. Counterfeit money is made by people who have no power. In today's devotionals people that had no power (because they did not know Jesus as their Lord) were trying to make counterfeit miracles. The enemy knows right away what is counterfeit and what is real. The enemy knows that Jesus has power and Paul has the power of Jesus but the seven sons of Sceva had no power and they were attacked. It is very dangerous to pretend that you are a Christian. Are you a counterfeit Christian? God knows, and the enemy knows what is counterfeit and what is real. It is very important for you to know the good news and invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. If you haven't already, take that step today and be a real Christian under God's power and protection.
Acts 19:11-17 (NASB)
Lesson Questions for the Full Story:
Content: Yo!, Youth Outreach, Youth
Outreach, Children's Devotionals,
Children's Bible Devotionals, Children's Daily
Devotionals, Children's Bible Lessons, Children's
Bible Stories, Children's Missionary Stories,
Children's Bible Verses, Children's Scripture Memory,
Devotionals for Youth, Bible Devotionals for Youth,
Daily Devotionals for Youth, Bible Lessons for Youth,
Bible Stories for Youth, Missionary Stories for Youth,
Bible Verses for Youth, Scripture Memory for Youth,
The Gospel, The Good News, The Gospel of Lord Jesus
Christ, New Testament Stories, Old Testament Stories,
Jesus, God's only begotten Son, Stories of Jesus,
Jesus Parables, Born Again, The way the truth and the
life, God's love, Everlasting life, The Father the Son
and the Holy Spirit, The Holy Ghost, The Everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace, The bright and morning
star, God so loved the world, yoroom
