Acts 14
Devotional by Lori Mosser
Read Acts 14
Acts 14
Paul and Barnabas at Iconium
14 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.
Paul and Barnabas at Lystra
8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
Paul Stoned at Lystra
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria
24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.
Devotional
As we began the new year, you may have had high hopes for exercising daily, eating right, reading your Bible more, or breaking a bad habit. But did you know that the second Friday of January is known as “Quitter’s Day”? That is the day when many people give up on their New Year’s resolutions or goals. Maybe you can relate.
Acts 14 is encouraging because we read about Paul and Barnabus’ perseverance during their ministry journey. They did not give up. They faced incredible opposition and trials that would have caused most people to quit. Even after receiving evil comments and the stoning of Paul, they did not give up. If anyone had a good excuse to quit, it was Paul! However, he was committed to serving Christ, no matter the cost. He persevered through all the trials and encouraged other believers in their faith. His motivation was to say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7, ESV).
Whether serving in ministry or going about our daily lives at work, school, or caring for children, we will all experience trials and discouragement. We may never face stoning or other adversity like we just read about. Even so, we can persevere through hard times knowing God is with us, just like he was with Paul and Barnabus. I pray that this passage gives you hope and encouragement to press on.
At this point in our devotional series, Quitter’s Day has passed, so how are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions? Have you prayed about what God wants you to do this year that may require commitment and perseverance?
Father, turn up the light that is shining through me today.
Please put the fire in me to live the way you want me to. Bring new life in my body. I want to serve you and to always listen to you. Praise the Lord our King!! Amen!!🙏📖🙏⛪
This year, the Lord has asked me to be intentional in everything, specifically my time alone with Him. Waking up a few minutes earlier everyday to read and speak to/hear from Him is something, by the grace of God, I’ve been able to maintain. My prayer is that there would be an even greater awareness of His voice and His presence as I draw near to Him.
Amen!
As Believers we should all have the perseverance of Paul. If God brings us to it (an assignment), He will bring us through it!! We just need to stay FOCUSED ON and TRUST HIM🙏🏾
Pressing on thru adversity with the help of the Lord. 🙏🏾
Lord, plant my feet on Your solid ground today! I want to serve You with my whole heart as I teach my life group this morning. Fill me with Your Spirit today to glorify You and You alone!
Amen
Whatever it is you want me to do Lord, give me the faith, courage, strength, passion and perseverance to see it through to the end.
Thanks for this gentle encouragement & application, Lori!
Perseverance what a word of encouragement today. Paul even adds from Romans 5 what perseverance produces in our walk with God.
”And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.“
Romans 5:3-5 NASB2020
That even when we do mess up and quit on quitters day. Doesn’t mean its done we can get back up and dust off the dirt from our fall and keep racing the good race towards Christ.
”Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.“
Philippians 3:13-14 NASB2020
Just the encouragement I needed today and to remember that God is not done with me yet.
”For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.“
Philippians 1:6 NASB2020
Lord, help us to never stop seeking you. Guide us as we walk this life to bring you glory in everything we do and speak theough us as we teach others of your true love and freedom. In Jesus name amen.
Amen and Amen 🙏 I’m blessed. Thank you ma’am.
For me, the encouragement to persevere, as I see in this passage, comes from other Believers too. It is not only important for me to press on through hard times, but it’s also important for me to walk along side those God has placed in my life that might be going through hard times. It’s the strength of the church, through Christ, for us all to walk together!
I pray that I can continue to seek the Lord this year . I want the Word of God in my thoughts, in my heart and my actions 🙏
Amen
It’s so important to live in a community of believers! As the Apostle Paul was prayed on and God rose him from what others thought it was the end for him (verses 19-20), we can stand-up and continue our journey with Christ (verse 10) in His strength and for His glory! thank you Jesus for the community of believers at Champion Forest!
We give GOD all the glory for who we are today and who we hope to be. HE is the master planner.
Only you GOD deserves all the glory!
Thank you Jesus for the word today. Trials and tribulations can feel so big and discouraging at times. I always remind myself that I serve someone who is greater than great. He is above all. Just knowing those things helps me to put my trust and faith and Jesus Christ.
Galatians 6:9-10
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
“The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, He saved me.” Psalm 116:6
I serve the same God that saved Paul and guided him on his incredible journey. That is a comforting thought!
Father God, give me the guidance you want me to have to help the world know more about you.