When you feel things are going bad just look around and you will see others who are in more turmoil, distress, and far worse off than you. Like an old saying goes, "I complained about having no shoes until I met a man with no feet."
If you have any prayer requests please let me know. I ask prayers for all my family as we all are experiencing some type of turmoil in todays world. :)
Well, Paul and Barnabas were preaching the gospel, were run out of town, went on and healed a man. People saw what God had done, but their vision was not clear. Read on and you will see.
11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
The man was healed by his faith, Paul and Barnabas were the instruments God used, BUT, yes --- BUT the people proclaimed that P & B were gods. They saw the healing of a man who had never walked, but instead of giving God the glory they thought these two men were gods. Ooops!
12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. (this comes from Greek Mythology)
Whoops, this is not what is supposed to happen. These people are out of control through emotional jubilation. They have lost sight of the one true living GOD! The people were going to honor P & B with sacrifices - 13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
Was this exciting to Paul and Barnabas? It caused frustration, anguish, and despair in these two men. Why? Because they were there for GOD, not for themselves, but to give God the glory. So what happens now? 14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
The tore their clothing and were extremely upset and they ran to the people asking them why they did this. They were only men such as the peoples there and came only to turn them away from their sins and to go to the living God, the Creator, the One whom they, Paul and Barnabas represented.
15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
Paul is deliberate in pointing out what the living God has done and that HE, GOD, only should receive the honor and praise. How oft do we turn out god into something more material before we are brought back to the reality that there is only ONE TRUE LIVING GOD!?!?! Thank you for reading. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny
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