"In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked." Acts 14:8.
South of Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas had just been, was the city of Lystra. It was on the road that would take them back to their home in Tarsus. In Lystra, they came upon a man who was sitting in public, most likely begging, who had been crippled from birth and had never walked. The scene is set for an amazing healing to happen at Paul's hands.
Imagine with me some of the possible thoughts going through this man's mind just before Paul came into his view. What are some thoughts that come to your mind? If that had been me, I most likely would have had a hard time looking anyone in the eye, because my self image would have been so poor. I would have worried where my next meal would be coming from. I was always the one who was very needy and could never make it on my own. I depended on others and was very upset – even bitter, when others treated me cruelly or ignored me.
This man struggled greatly, but all of that was about to change. We think that the healing would have definitely been worth the change, yet because of all the new "unknowns" that the healing would bring, he might have been more reluctant. When change happens in our lives, it shakes us up and makes things different from what we are used to. This crippled man was about to have a radical change in his life. I wonder how he adjusted to all the change?
Questions to consider: How do you view change in your life? Has there been anything in your life that has crippled you from moving forward? How did you (or can you) break free from what crippled you?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the example of this crippled man whose life changed radically with his healing. Help me to see those things that cripple me, and that are holding me back from deeper life in You, and help me to be free of them. Amen.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
July 22, 2010 - Acts 14:6
“There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the surrounding country. Acts 14:6.
Paul’s and Barnabas’ work among the people of Iconium was going well. Many people responded to the message of Jesus, and yet, many others were opposed to this message. These people were stirred up and desired to “mistreat (Paul and Barnabas) and stone them.” Once they discovered the plot, Paul and Barnabas pulled up their tent stakes and left for safety. There were times when they stayed to face those who were against them, and yet, there were times when they fled.
As I read this, I realized that I did not remember this scene of Paul and Barnabas fleeing for safety. For some reason, I thought that they always stayed to face those who were against them. It is comforting for me to know that Paul and Barnabas stayed at times to confront the opposition, and at times, they knew that they should flee. This encourages me to know that there are times when I need to stand up and face those that come against me and that there are times when I need to flee for my life, as Paul and Barnabas did. The important point for me is to have a sense of what God would desire for me to do in this situation and to respond with obedience. This is easier said than done!
Questions to consider: Have there been times when you sensed God leading you to stay and face, or to flee, a situation? What was the result of this decision? How did you know that God was directing you in this way?
Prayer: Father, please give me the presence of mind to know when I should flee or when I should stay and face different situations. Give me Your peace in the midst of the turmoil of these situations. Amen.
Paul’s and Barnabas’ work among the people of Iconium was going well. Many people responded to the message of Jesus, and yet, many others were opposed to this message. These people were stirred up and desired to “mistreat (Paul and Barnabas) and stone them.” Once they discovered the plot, Paul and Barnabas pulled up their tent stakes and left for safety. There were times when they stayed to face those who were against them, and yet, there were times when they fled.
As I read this, I realized that I did not remember this scene of Paul and Barnabas fleeing for safety. For some reason, I thought that they always stayed to face those who were against them. It is comforting for me to know that Paul and Barnabas stayed at times to confront the opposition, and at times, they knew that they should flee. This encourages me to know that there are times when I need to stand up and face those that come against me and that there are times when I need to flee for my life, as Paul and Barnabas did. The important point for me is to have a sense of what God would desire for me to do in this situation and to respond with obedience. This is easier said than done!
Questions to consider: Have there been times when you sensed God leading you to stay and face, or to flee, a situation? What was the result of this decision? How did you know that God was directing you in this way?
Prayer: Father, please give me the presence of mind to know when I should flee or when I should stay and face different situations. Give me Your peace in the midst of the turmoil of these situations. Amen.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
July 15,2010 - Acts 14:3
"So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders." Acts 14:3.
Paul and Barnabas found good favor among the people of Iconium and were able to stay among them for a long time. The message preached by Paul and Barnabas was backed up by God's grace made manifest through the display of "miraculous signs and wonders." The focus was not on the signs and wonders but, instead, was on the message concerning Jesus and life in Him. The signs and wonders were used to draw attention to God's words of life and to give authority to the words spoken.
It is easy for us to say that these signs and wonders may have happened in Jesus' time or during the days of the Apostles time of the early church, but they no longer happen in our time-and- space world. Yet, there are so many things that happen during the normal events of each day that seem to be a coincidence, or events that we have a difficult time explaining. Sometimes, it is difficult for us to admit that miracles still happen today and that signs and wonders are still relevant in our ‘modern’ world. I have seen way too many ‘coincidences’ to believe that miraculous things do not happen today. Over and over again, I see God's hand at work and involved in the normal activity of my daily routine.
Questions to consider: Have you seen God's signs and wonders in your life? How have you seen God's miracles active in your daily routines? What would need to happen in your life to help you become more aware of God working in your life?
Prayer: Father, help me to be aware of Your miraculous activity in the daily routine of my life. Give me a sensitivity to see Your movement in and through my life. Amen.
Paul and Barnabas found good favor among the people of Iconium and were able to stay among them for a long time. The message preached by Paul and Barnabas was backed up by God's grace made manifest through the display of "miraculous signs and wonders." The focus was not on the signs and wonders but, instead, was on the message concerning Jesus and life in Him. The signs and wonders were used to draw attention to God's words of life and to give authority to the words spoken.
It is easy for us to say that these signs and wonders may have happened in Jesus' time or during the days of the Apostles time of the early church, but they no longer happen in our time-and- space world. Yet, there are so many things that happen during the normal events of each day that seem to be a coincidence, or events that we have a difficult time explaining. Sometimes, it is difficult for us to admit that miracles still happen today and that signs and wonders are still relevant in our ‘modern’ world. I have seen way too many ‘coincidences’ to believe that miraculous things do not happen today. Over and over again, I see God's hand at work and involved in the normal activity of my daily routine.
Questions to consider: Have you seen God's signs and wonders in your life? How have you seen God's miracles active in your daily routines? What would need to happen in your life to help you become more aware of God working in your life?
Prayer: Father, help me to be aware of Your miraculous activity in the daily routine of my life. Give me a sensitivity to see Your movement in and through my life. Amen.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
July 8, 2010 - Acts 13:50
"But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region." Acts 13:50.
Paul and Barnabas had success with people responding positively to their message, but they also frequently met with opposition. Clearly, there were a number of influential people who did not appreciate this outside disturbance coming in to threaten the status quo, especially since these influential people had control of the status quo. The message that Paul and Barnabas brought was opening the eyes of the local people, and those in authority felt that their control over the people was being threatened. It seems that wherever the good news of Jesus was proclaimed, the existing authority structure was threatened and a backlash of persecution was created.
We have seen through the centuries when the existing authority was threatened, they turned up the heat and kept people under their control. The slavery issue in Britain and the United States is one of many examples. When opposing voices came against the oppressive enslavement of a race of people, those in dominance over the slaves used anything within their powers, including violence, to keep the slaves oppressed. On a personal level, it is important for me to work for justice and freedom whenever and wherever it is within my ability to do so.
Questions to consider: Have there been times when you have seen one group of people dominate and oppress another? Have you ever personally witnessed an individual dominating or oppressing another? What is your response to such occurrences?
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus to set humanity free – all of humanity. Help me to be an agent of Your freedom and reconciliation in Jesus to a struggling world. Amen.
Paul and Barnabas had success with people responding positively to their message, but they also frequently met with opposition. Clearly, there were a number of influential people who did not appreciate this outside disturbance coming in to threaten the status quo, especially since these influential people had control of the status quo. The message that Paul and Barnabas brought was opening the eyes of the local people, and those in authority felt that their control over the people was being threatened. It seems that wherever the good news of Jesus was proclaimed, the existing authority structure was threatened and a backlash of persecution was created.
We have seen through the centuries when the existing authority was threatened, they turned up the heat and kept people under their control. The slavery issue in Britain and the United States is one of many examples. When opposing voices came against the oppressive enslavement of a race of people, those in dominance over the slaves used anything within their powers, including violence, to keep the slaves oppressed. On a personal level, it is important for me to work for justice and freedom whenever and wherever it is within my ability to do so.
Questions to consider: Have there been times when you have seen one group of people dominate and oppress another? Have you ever personally witnessed an individual dominating or oppressing another? What is your response to such occurrences?
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus to set humanity free – all of humanity. Help me to be an agent of Your freedom and reconciliation in Jesus to a struggling world. Amen.
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