TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE
Please read Acts 14
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.
Acts 14:19–23
DEVOTIONAL
by Elder Chris Beltran
The greater the work, the greater the opposition. In verse 19, we saw the troublemaking Jews and Gentiles from Iconium and Antioch arrive at Lystra and turn the crowd into a murderous mob. They violently stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, apparently thinking he was dead. But after a while, Paul got up as if nothing had happened and went back into the city.
The moment we truly understand the price Jesus had to pay for our sins, we cannot help but faithfully live our lives for Him every day, for better or worse, in sickness or health.
Many of us have not yet come to the point of being physically threatened or harmed, imprisoned or persecuted in our walk with the Lord. Sometimes, we just keep silent and do not openly share our faith because things are well. Or, when some challenges happen, the first thing we give up is our service to the Lord, indicating He does not occupy the first place in our hearts. Believing in the Lord for our salvation is the easy part. Following Him entails denying ourselves, carrying our cross, and following Him for better or worse. Are you a follower of Christ in good times only and will desert Him when bad times come? May the life of Paul and Barnabas be our example of serving the Lord faithfully, even if the going gets tough and rough.
PRAYER
Gracious Father, we humbly come before You, acknowledging the challenges and opposition we may face in our faith journey. Help us to comprehend the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice fully and to live our lives faithfully for Him, regardless of the circumstances we encounter. Grant us the courage and determination to follow You wholeheartedly, even when faced with adversity, persecution, or challenges. May our devotion to You remain steadfast, for You are worthy of our complete surrender. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
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