Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

15 July 2025

Reading From Acts 19:21-41

“About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

—Acts 19:23-27

     There are countless millions around the world who worship the god of money along with many other false idols and pseudo gods and goddesses.  Many times the worship of these things are intertwined with one another.  Any object of worship that is not Yahweh, the one true and Living God, is an influencer for Satan and his demons.  Idolatry is big money in the world today and in the first century it was no different.  In our modern times, trillions of dollars are made from the worship of money, sports, fame, sex, drugs, self, and the like. 

     We must come to a place where we are willing to give up our worship of all other gods except for the Creator of Heaven and Earth.  He alone is to be the focus of our worship, praise and adoration.  Only the Lord God is worthy of all glory and honor!  When we forsake idolatry, especially the worship of ourselves, and embrace Him as the way, the truth and the life, then we can experience the truly abundant and eternal life that He has purchased for us with His own blood.  Life with Jesus, when we fully consecrate all that we have and all that we are to Him, is the ultimate, fulfilling and satisfying adventure.  Life with Him is more than we could ever ask for or imagine!  There is nothing and there is no one to compare with Him. 

     All the wealth of this whole world cannot truly satisfy the void in our hearts and minds.  Only God can fill the God-shaped hole in the human experience.  There will always be someone better looking than you, someone with more money, someone smarter, someone with more and better houses and material possessions.  Experiencing the abundance of our Father in Heaven is something no amount of money or physical striving can buy.  The spiritual wealth found in following Jesus is priceless and the satisfaction is deep and of everlasting value. In God’s economy, material and spiritual wealth are not meant to be hoarded, but shared. We need to be more Kingdom-minded.

“God, turn our eyes from worthless things.  Give us Your perfect, eternal perspective on life on Earth.  Order our steps and align our priorities with the principles of Your eternal Word the Bible.  Fill our hearts and minds with Your true knowledge and wisdom.  May we worship You and You alone, our Rock and our Redeemer, the Source of all true wealth, satisfaction and fulfillment.  In the strong and mighty Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things, Amen.”

You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

—Psalm 16:11

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

—Matthew 6:19-21