Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area. And there they preached the Good News. While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed. So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking. When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!” They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.” But even with these words, Paul and Barnabas could scarcely restrain the people from sacrificing to them. Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
Acts 14:5-20
Dear God, not that anyone thinks I’m a god, but I certainly get way too much admiration and adulation that I deserve. I used to love it when people would be “impressed” by me. I used to crave it. And there’s a part of me that still likes it, of course, but it makes me more uncomfortable than it used to. In fact, I find myself, more and more, just wanting to work behind the scenes and not be seen. Of course, in my job, in order to do my job, I have to be seen. I have to be the front person. The face of the organization.
My biggest thing in all of this is to make sure I do my best to not promote an image of myself that is inconsistent with who I am. I want to be the same person in my private life, at home with my wife, in my interactions with my family and friends, through the work I do with my coworkers and volunteers that I am on that stage.
The other part of this is that you have given me gifts in the area of public speaking and teaching. I think I allow lethargy to maybe get in the way of what. You have planned for me in that area. For example, I’m here on vacation. I brought my computer with me so I could work on some of the writing projects I’ve started, or I could sit and just listen to podcasts, watch YouTube videos while the waves roll in. Which will I do? I hope I can look back on this week as one that was used for restoration and also for building a strong foundation in you upon which I can build.
Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, be my supply this week. Be my Healer, Counselor, and Comforter. Be my Friend. Most of all, be my God, whom I worship with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I offer this to you.
I pray all of this under your authority,
Amen
Emails to God 