Monday 8 May 2023

May 8: Acts 14:8-18

Key Verse: Acts 14:12
Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.

Devotion:
How many times have you been complimented this past week? How many of those times did you feel good? How many of those times did you take advantage of being complimented and ask for something in return? How far did you go? There is nothing quite like asking leading questions!

One of the unfortunate parts of being a good Christian is people will lift you up into positions you probably do not deserve and sometimes should not be tempted by; but it happens! We all do like to be complimented because it does make us feel better about ourselves – much better than being berated for doing something wrong! But what we do with compliments and how we allow them to affect our lives is what counts more than the compliments.

Paul and Barnabas fled to the Lycaonian city of Lystra because they were being persecuted and plots were being made against them because they dared to preach the Gospel. When Paul healed a lame man the crowd lifted both Paul and Barnabas to positions of gods – they did not quite get the idea there is only one God because they had always called upon many gods in their lifestyles before this. The priests of these gods wanted to come and offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas because of this miracle!

Both Paul and Barnabas tried to quell the hysteria by pleading with the people to accept them as mere human beings like everyone else, but the people had other ideas. Sometimes it seems like it is easier to allow people to think more highly of you than to admit you are just like them but God wants us to show others we are as human as all people – but we do try to be different because we want to follow God’s will rather than the habits of everyone else. Draw the line and keep the line!

Points to Ponder:
Do you see yourself as better than others?

What are the wages of sin?