Tag: Acts 14
Stand upright!
Scripture reading for May 23: Acts 14
“Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” 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 these men.”” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.” Acts 14:8-12
Paul and Barnabas next went to Lystra and began ministry. At their meeting there was a man lame from birth, having never walked. As he preached, Paul received a word of knowledge from the Holy Spirit that this man had faith to receive healing. Paul focused his attention on the man and made a simple statement: “Stand upright on your feet.” In faith, the man stood up, doing what he was never able to do before. His world view was drastically changed through obedience and faith!
This healing caught everyone’s attention! The people were involved in idolatry in their city. Their world view had them conclude that their gods, Zeus and Hermes, had come down in the form of these men. The idolatrous priests sought to bring sacrifices and worship Paul and Barnabas. But the Apostles tore their clothes and shared the Good News of Jesus Christ, the living God and Creator of heaven and earth. Their desire was to help each person escape from the grip of idolatry that had held them from birth and see them enter a new heavenly world view with eternal life. They too could “stand up and walk”!
How has your past view of the world and God limited your ability to function to your fullest in this life? How did God challenge your limited world view with new possibilities? Do you think that God could use you to speak words of healing and life over those in your life who are spiritually or physically disabled?
Prayer: Father God, I thank You that with You all things are possible to those who believe. Help me to grow in faith and obedience to Your leading so that I might be used to bring the Good News of Your love and mercy to those in my circle of influence. May all stand up and walk with You! Amen.
Appointing godly leadership!
Scripture reading for May 24th: Acts 14
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Acts 14:21-23 “They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”
Paul and Barnabas understood the need to make disciples. They were interested in fulfilling Jesus’ mandate, not just getting converts! Because of this, they revisited the churches that they had founded and encouraged the disciples to ‘remain true to the faith.’ It was possible to drift away and be lost! Also, they warned and taught these new followers of Jesus that hardships would await them on their journey. Following Jesus would not always be easy and would require perseverance! To help equip the churches they had founded, they sought the Lord for leadership who would set godly examples and teach the disciples the way of the Lord Jesus. Elders, pastors and teachers were appointed and set in place!
Observations for over-comers: Healthy churches are equipped and encouraged with leadership and teaching of the truth. Prayer and fasting are foundational to selecting godly leaders. “But select capable men from all the people–men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain–and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.” (Exodus 18:21)
Faith to be healed!
Scripture reading for May 25th: Acts 14
Paul and Barnabas, commissioned by the church in Antioch, went out under the leading of the Holy Spirit to do the work that God would prepare for them. (Acts 13:4) They found many willing listeners and some believed. They also ran into opposition, primarily from the strong Jews who felt threatened by the Gospel message. They then took the message to the Gentiles as well as the Jews.
“At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 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 14:1-3) God worked with and through these missionaries enabling them to preach effectively. They also had the message confirmed by miracles. But this also stirred up opposition and a plot to stone them caused them to flee to Lystra and Derbe.
“In Lystra, there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.” (Acts 14:8-10) Paul discerned what God could do through the faith of this man. Paul encouraged him with a command and this man jumped up and walked around! This opened the door for the apostles to preach to a great crowd of people before the Jews from Iconium came and stoned Paul and dragged his body outside the city! God works through faith!