Universal Utterings
for May 18, 2026
A Godcast
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05-18-2026 Acts 19 V0112 Mighty Deeds God Accomplished Through Paul
The Acts of the Apostles Chapter 19 Verse One thru Twelve
1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and came (down) to Ephesus where he found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a holy Spirit.” 3 He said, “How were you baptized?” They replied, “With the baptism of John.” 4 Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul laid [his] hands on them, the holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 Altogether there were about twelve men. 8 He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some in their obstinacy and disbelief disparaged the Way before the assembly, he withdrew and took his disciples with him and began to hold daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years with the result that all the inhabitants of the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord, Jews and Greeks alike. 11 So extraordinary were the mighty deeds God accomplished at the hands of Paul 12 that when face cloths or aprons that touched his skin were applied to the sick, their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.
In Acts 19:1-12, we encounter a transformative moment in the early church, highlighting the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul arrives in Ephesus, where he finds a group of believers who had received John’s baptism. He proceeds to explain that the baptism he practices is one of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, who offers a baptism in the Holy Spirit. Upon hearing this, they are baptized in the name of Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit, which enables them to speak in tongues and prophesy.
This passage emphasizes a crucial truth: the Holy Spirit is available to all who believe in Christ. For those who earnestly seek Him, God’s Spirit empowers and equips believers to do extraordinary deeds in His name. The Holy Spirit is not a distant force; He is a personal presence in the life of every believer, guiding, uplifting, and transforming them for God’s purposes.
Paul’s ministry in Ephesus showcases what it means to live for God first. When we prioritize our relationship with Him and open our hearts to the movement of the Holy Spirit, we become instruments of His extraordinary work in the world. It could manifest in small acts of kindness or powerful testimonies of faith that resonate far beyond our immediate surroundings.
As we reflect on Acts 19:1-12, let us remember that by believing in Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are endowed with the same Holy Spirit. This is a call to faithfulness and a challenge to live vibrantly for God, fully aware that we, too, can witness remarkable acts of God in our lives and communities. Embrace the Spirit’s power, and let it guide you to live out your faith boldly. Amen.
Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.
At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.
I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20
05-18-2026 Acts 19 V0112
**Mighty Deeds God Accomplished Through Paul**
In Ephesus, a tale unfolds,
Where Paul the steadfast preacher goes,
He meets disciples, fervent, bold,
In curious hearts, their faith still grows.
“Did you receive the Spirit’s breath?”
He asks them of their sacred grace,
“Or did you walk in shadows, left
To hunger for a true embrace?”
“We’ve heard of John’s proclaiming call,
A baptism of repentance clear,
But of the Spirit, we know not all,
Our hearts are filled with hope and fear.”
Then Paul, with gentle hands, does share,
The message of the risen One,
How Christ, with love beyond compare,
Gives life anew, the victory won.
Into the waters, they go down,
Baptized in Jesus’ holy name,
And as He promised, joy, not frown,
The Spirit comes—ignites the flame.
In the halls of power, Paul’s voice resounds,
He speaks of miracles, wonders to behold,
With faith that breaks through harrowing bounds,
His shadow brings healing, stories retold.
Aprons and cloths, from his hands spread wide,
Anointing each soul that seeks to be whole,
In Ephesus, darkness gives way to light,
As faith surges strong within every soul.
Thus, Acts of power in a city’s heart,
Where Paul and the Spirit weave a new tale,
An echo of grace, never to part,
In the journey of faith, where love shall prevail. Amen.
© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins
May 18, 2026 @ 04:31 AM EST
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**† God First Ministries, Inc. is a Roman Catholic Lay Ministry not sponsored by The Church but is accepted by the IRS as a Religious Charitable Org. and is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations made through PayPal using GodFirstforJesus@gmail.com, or given to GFM are tax deductible. †**
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