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19 Some Jews came from Antioch in Pisidia and from Iconium: they won the crowds over to their side, stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, thinking that he was dead. 20 But when the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into town. The next day he and Barnabas went to Derbe. 21 Paul and Barnabas preached the Good News in Derbe and won many disciples. They went back to Lystra, to Iconium, and on to Antioch in Pisidia. 22 They strengthened the believers and encouraged them to remain true to the faith. “We must pass through many troubles to enter the Kingdom of God” they taught. 23 In each church they appointed elders and with prayers and fasting they commended them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through the territory of Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 There they preached the message in Perga and then went to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed back to Antioch, the place where they had been commended to the care of God’s grace for the work they had now completed. 27 When they arrived in Antioch, they gathered the people of the church together and told them about all that God had done with them and how he had opened the way for the Gentiles to believe.

 

Another example of how difficult the life of Paul as a disciple was and that God wins and controls the future! We learn in Acts that God continued to be with Paul and protect him though Jews came and swayed the entire crowd to forget the miracles they saw, the learning and worshiping they were involved in and “get Fickle” turning on Paul. I believe we would call it a Mob mentality when a few took over the crowd and turned them all against Paul. They stoned him and abandoned him outside of town only for God to raise him up to continue his Godly work.

Are we strong enough to stay rooted in the word to not be swayed against the word of Jesus teachings? Are we being ones who follow random information or we stay true to our goals of being a strong Christian? Jesus asks us to discern the incoming information we hear and remain steadfast to our faith. How do we do that, staying in the word, learning from church, gathering for Bible study and more.

Jesus, we pray you help us keep our eyes on you and the plans you have in our faith.

Linda Saddler

sadd4@aol.com

 

Alternate scriptures: Isaiah 63: 15-19, Psalm 67