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Acts: 14: 19-28
In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium
arrived and won over the crowds.
They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,
supposing that he was dead.
But when the disciples gathered around him,
he got up and entered the city.
On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
After they had proclaimed the good news to that city
and made a considerable number of disciples,
they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the Kingdom of God.”
They appointed presbyters for them in each Church and,
with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord
in whom they had put their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.
From there they sailed to Antioch,
where they had been commended to the grace of God
for the work they had now accomplished.
And when they arrived, they called the Church together
and reported what God had done with them
and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Then they spent no little time with the disciples.
The Word of the Lord.
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Can you recall a moment in your life that demanded courage?
Perhaps it was an extended period of time, like a tour of duty overseas. Maybe it was a single moment like a grace-filled confession or a crucial conversation.
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In our first reading, the Apostle Paul demonstrates immense courage for the sake of the Gospel.
He and Barnabas have been preaching all over Greece and Turkey. At times their message is well-received. At others they’re outright rejected.
Today, for example, people literally try stoning Paul to death before dragging his lifeless body out of town. When he comes to his senses, Paul stands up and walks right back into town, preaching the very same message to the very same people!
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His courage that day must’ve moved hearts quicker and deeper than a thousand sermons ever could. “Where did he get this courage from? Is he crazy?” Many must’ve wondered.
There’s no way Paul would’ve risked his life again – caring for the salvation of the souls who just tried killing him – unless his message was true:
“Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, he was buried, raised from the dead, then he appeared to Peter and the others, and last of all he appeared to me” (1 Cor. 15: 1-8).
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Christ died for you.
His love has been poured into your heart.
And after following him here on earth, there is a resting place for you in heaven.
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How does this knowledge change your outlook on life today?
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Image credits: (1) Real Life with Jack Hibbs, YouTube, 28:30 (2) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (3) The Light of Christ Journey