From: June 21, 2023
“The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord. But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said” (Acts 13:44-45 NLT).
The ministry of Paul and Barnabas was marked by great results and great resistance. It was in Antioch Pisidia that Luke first began to refer to “Saul” as “Paul.” It it was also at that time that Luke began to refer to this great missionary team in reverse order, instead of “Barnabas and Saul,” he called them “Paul and Barnabas.” Paul really came into his own at Antioch Pisidia, boldly declaring the gospel and standing firm against those who opposed it. Barnabas must have been pleased to see how the trust he had put into Paul was now being borne out.
Yet, even though “almost the entire city turned out” to hear Paul and Barnabas preach the gospel, the evil one was actively present to slander and resist. Great results are often marked by great resistance. Therefore, stand firm and keep the faith! Our victory is the Lord’s!
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us not to loose heart when resistance comes. Help us to know the difference between the kind of resistance we are to overcome and the kind that You have sent to close a door in one place and open one in another. For results are in Your hands. Strengthen us to be faithful. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 21, 2022
RELY ON THE GRACE OF GOD, NOT MEN
In town after town, as people came to faith after hearing the gospel proclaimed by Paul and Barnabas, they would begin to follow them. But the two men always urged the people to rely on the grace of God, not men. For Paul and Barnabas wanted them to know that they were mere vessels of God’s grace and urged the new believers to always look to God. They made sure to urge people to shift their eyes from the messengers of grace to the Source of grace, namely, Jesus Christ.
Putting wrong reliance on the messenger is still a human tendency today. People make heroes of preachers or treat pastors like celebrities and look to follow them for answers and help. Inevitably, they are disappointed. For human heroes and celebrities always turn out to be fallible.
But God never fails. He is always faithful. Let us always honor and respect our spiritual fathers and mothers, our pastors and spiritual leaders. But let us put our reliance on the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we rely on You and upon the grace You have given us through Your Son, Jesus. We honor and respect those you have put over us, but we look to You as our source of grace and strength. You alone deserve our worship and praise. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 21, 2016
As Paul and Barnabas traveled from city to city preaching the gospel, there were those that believed and those that rejected, and even those that persecuted them. Yet, regardless of response, the Word was “spreading throughout the whole region.” This is what news does, it spreads. How much more the Good News of Christ, which is the Gospel!
From: June 21, 2012
Elisha requested this of his spiritual father, Elijah. God granted his request. Elijah (“The LORD is God”) foreshadows John the Baptist. Elisha (“God’s salvation”) prefigures Christ (Jesus – “The LORD’s salvation”). I wonder if God still answers prayers like Elisha’s? I hope so. I’m asking.
From: June 21, 2011
Today’s OYB was too awesome. Elijah caught up. Elisha gets a double portion. Paul and Barnabas preach boldly. But Ps.139 is where I landed today. “Search me, O God.”