Get up and do it again
But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. Acts 14:20
Nobody really knows if Paul died when he was stoned that day in Lystra or if they just thought he was dead. What we do know is that when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up. The surprising part is that he went back into the city where the people just stoned him. I don’t think I would have done that. However, Paul was determined to make sure that everyone knew that God was with him and would even raise him up if needed. Even when he was beaten and thrown into prison in Philippi, he wouldn’t leave town until he got a public apology. (See Acts 16:40)
The point is that Paul and Barnabas pressed on through great oppression and persecution. They did not let any circumstance deter them from their mission and neither should we. Often times in our life’s journey, we face set back, storms and obstacles, but those are not what our purpose is about. The problems that we come up against in life are merely winds that blow. Some harder than others, but just like the breeze of everyday life, when we go out in the weather, we still get to our intended destination each day. Our circumstances do not determine our mission, our Father in heaven does.
Today I want to encourage you in whatever you are facing or up against in life. Press on through. Adjust your focus to the purpose you were given for today. If that is unclear to you, ask God’s Spirit to open up the eyes or your understanding to see your mission clearly. Pray for His strength and grace to empower you to complete that mission, then get out there and press through the winds of life. Don’t let the distractions and pains of this world hold you back. Determine that with God’s help you will accomplish whatever it is He has for you to complete today. Then when tomorrow comes, get back up and do it again.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 14:19-28
19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.
27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
The Daily Dose 