It's a beautiful Sunday morning and God bless you all for your daily encounter with Him through His son Jesus Christ 

>>*Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the whole city was given to idols* ***(Acts 17: 16)***


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The city of Athen, named after its guardian goddess, Athena, was one of the  sophisticated, civilized and beautiful places on earth during Apostle Paul's days. The city has Grammar schools (Gymnasium), public library, democracy, athletic sport and the like. But this city has one remarkable thing to its name: it was given to idolatry. Athen was full of idols and their temples, altars  and images were littered all over the place. And it was not just one idol or god, but many of them. 
That was what stirred and irritated Paul's spirit to anger. The sight of a city filled with idolatry troubled him to do something about it. Because Paul saw beyond just the statues, altars and temples of just idols, but what was behind these idols, the  demonic spirits. 
 
> But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. ***(1 Cor 10: 20)***

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So their sacrifices and worship offered to these idols,  were offered to demons. So the Athenians were in fellowship with demons knowingly or unknowingly and that these demonic spirits ruled their lives, culture and civilization. That was what upset Paul's spirit and provoked himl to anger. 

 >Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
 ***(Acts 17: 17)***

So he began to speak and preach  to them in their synagogues, market places and City halls, where he could find people .
Come to think of it, it's a humbling issue, that what we give ourselves to actually have the power to rule and control our lives, future and destiny. And it may even have demonic spirits behind them. It may be just idols, but what is behind idols are demons which seek to deceive and manipulate us. 

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Thank God we now know the truth. And like Paul, we should be provoked to do something about it. And truly, Paul's efforts succeeded, and Athens became a Christian city over time.
So as you go through the day and live life, be mindful of what you give yourself to and what you allow to rule your life. It may be more than just physical things.
May you not permit yourself to be given to 'idols of this world and may you be provoked to do something about it at the sight of these 'idols'. And may the Lord cause your effort to succeed in Jesus name. Amen

# PRAYER OF FAITH
Thank you Father for your Spirit within us, that enable us to be stirred in our spirit to do something whenever things seek to rule and control our lives. Give us the grace and the power over the powers and spirits that seek to manipulate us behind the scenes. May we prevail over them and over anything that has taken over our lives. Bless us Father and prosper our day in Jesus name. Amen

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God. Amen
Meditate on today's word and use it to pray
Shalom, life and grace to you
Moving people unto God's purposes

Thanks for stopping by, 
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