Denied

What were they saying?

Barnabas felt an icy chill overtake him, zapping him in the head, running down his spin, and landing in his toes.

"It's Zeus and Hermes!" a man shouted again. The crowed started chanting along with him, and in a matter of seconds people were prostrating themselves at his and Paul's feet.

Was this what it felt like to be God?

Barnabas smacked the thought out of his mind. He wasn't God, and he wasn't going to fall for that particular temptation. But how did they get the people to stop? Barnabas cast a frantic look in Paul's direction. He had a similar expression on his face. They needed to do something, and they needed to do it now.

"We are not gods!" Barnabas yelled at the top of his lungs. Paul joined him, screaming until he was red in the face. It felt like it took hours, but slowly the people around them started to listen. Eventually Paul was able to explain that they were indeed men, but servants to the living God. The people understood, but Barnabas knew they had scarcely restrained the people from offering a sacrifice to them.

Based on Acts 14:14

"And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, 'The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!' Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 'Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.' Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them." Acts 14:11-18

I find this pretty interesting. Whether we want to admit it or not, we all have this desire to be praised, to be the best at something, to have others look up to us. Sadly, we've see countless kings and countries fall in the Bible, and today, for that very reason.

Paul and Barnabas denied that desire. They kept God first.

Does it put denying yourself in a whole new light?

"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'" Matthew 16:24

Denying yourself means denying those desires deep down that you don't want to acknowledge or let anyone see. It means denying a piece of you. It means giving up your glory for God's glory.

Do we have what it takes to be like Paul and Barnabas, or will we fall prey to the same desires as our many predecessors?

I think John the Baptist said it best.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

V. Joy Palmer

"He Touched Him"

   Then a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean."
   Then Jesus, mobs with compassion, put out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; Be cleansed."
   As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. Mark 1:40-42

One of my most favorite encounters with Jesus is this one right here, with this particular leper. The reason is really simple. He touched him! It says that Jesus was moved with compassion, and He reached out His hand to touch him. I love that Jesus wasn't repelled by the man's uncleanness but instead was moved to compassion to do for him and touch every area of his life in the process. 

I love that His response was "I'm willing," despite the fact that technically the guy was sinning against the law by even being being there in the first place. He was supposed to be crying, "Unclean, Unclean!" and keeping his distance. Instead adhering to the law his desperation caused him to seek out Jesus and declare his faith and trust in Jesus as he put his situation in Jesus' care.

Jesus, of course sees his every need and takes care of them all. We know this because it tells us that His healing came as He spoke the healing word to Him and so the touch? Why was it necessary? The touch took care of the spiritual and emotional needs as well. Why do I say this? Because Jesus, by touching him was breaking the law as well. According to the law you weren't supposed to touch a leper. Therefore, when His compassion moved Jesus to reach out His hand and touch him it was for a specific reason. It was to touch more than just his body but the part of him that had been wounded and unloved because of declaring himself unclean everywhere he went. It was to touch a man who had gone without human contact for so long because a leper wasn't allowed to touch or be touched by their loved ones. 

Jesus, when He responded with, "I am willing," truly was! With both word and deed He not only cleansed his body but brought health and wholeness to His inner man as well! Why? Because ....one word ....one touch from Jesus is all it takes for any unclean wretch to be made new again!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

"The Joy"

"...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

I've been thinking a lot about the phrase 'for the joy set before Him.' The Joy that was before Him was obviously not found in what He was about to go through on the cross. He knew what He was about to suffer. He understood better than you or I what it was all about. There is a reason that He sweat drops of blood as the time drew near for Him to 'endure the suffering and shame' that His death on the cross represented. He knew that for the first time in His life He would be separated from the Father. There was a reason that He cried out, "My God, my God, why has though forsaken Me!" There was no joy in knowing that what He was about to go through meant suffering, shame, and separation from the Father. THE JOY that was set before Him was you! It was you and I and the possibility of knowing us and I am and us knowing Him!  HE 'COUNTED THE COST' OF THE CROSS AND DECIDED THAT YOU AND I WERE WORTH IT! We were the joy that was set before Him because He knew that when it was all said and done, not only would He be reunited in fellowship with the Father, but that we would be reunited as well.

In reality 'The Joy' that was set before Him was His love for you and I and hopefully ...our love for Him!

Spring Up

He was busted for staring.

A glow shone from the man's emerald colored eyes as he stared back at Paul. He didn't glare at Paul for staring. He just stared back.

What was that?

A smile tugged at Paul's mouth. That's what it was. It was faith.

Faith just radiated from this man from the inside to the outside, as bright and blinding as the sun on a clear day. He had listened to Paul intently the entire time he spoke - and it was a long time! Anyone could look at him and see the truth that had slapped Paul in the face.

This man had the faith to be made well. To be healed. To be saved.

It was time to use it.

Paul's grin grew to a full blown smile as he stood up and spoke in a boisterous voice, "Stand upright on your feet."

The man didn't even hesitate. With eyes that never left Paul's face, he put his faith into action.

And he stood up.

Based on Acts 14:8-10

"Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, 'Stand upright on your feet.' And he sprang up and began walking." Acts 14:8-10

I kinda love this. Paul stared this dude down. He studied his eyes and searched his face and saw that this crippled man, who could understandably be bitter and unbelieving, had faith. Not just any faith, but faith to be saved (as my footnote said) and the faith to be made well.

This poor man who had been crippled from birth had faith. So when Paul told him to get up, he didn't debate it. He sprang up. Do you know any guys that spring up? Guys don't spring up unless they are so excited and into whatever is happening that they don't care about how ridiculous they look. This guy sprang up because he had so much faith.

Do we have that kind of faith? The faith to spring up despite being pushed down our whole life? The faith that we don't question it, we just jump? The faith that others can see on our face despite our visible brokenness? Do we have that faith?

Why is it that a man who couldn't walk his whole life has more faith then people who have been saved their whole lives?

Whatever your story is, you can be like that man. You can have that kind of faith. Spring up with your faith instead of always evaluating, worrying, wondering, and stopping.

V. Joy Palmer

Unexpected Blows

How were they supposed to encourage the people in the synagogue? They were struggling themselves. His personal hopes for this Sabbath day involved getting some encouragement for himself.

Barnabas sighed. He glanced at Paul who was studying the note the rulers of the synagogue had sent them. His face was passive.

Like maybe he was considering this.

Yeah, they should encourage the people, but Barnabas was feeling more drained then a dried up well after a four year drought. He didn't know if he had it in him. It had been a tough few months, and then recently John Mark had left their missionary journey unexpectedly and with very little explanation.

While Barnabas believed the struggling, overwhelmed young man would be back, it had been difficult to see him walk away for now. It had been a huge blow to all of them emotionally.

He leaned towards Paul and lowered his voice. "Paul, what are we going to do?"

Paul calmly folded the note up, and set it beside him before looking at Barnabas. "We are going to encourage the people."

"How are we supposed to do that? We need encouragement."

Paul's face looked worn and tired, but despite all there was an energy that still shown through his eyes. "And this is the best way to get it. Our ministry can't stop just because of hardships. We will be encouraged by encouraging, by sharing the message we were sent to share, by not giving up."

Based on Acts 13:13-41

"Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, 'Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.'" Acts 13:13-15

Paul and Barnabas and their merry group of traveling companions were out doing God's work. They were sharing the Gospel, proclaiming Jesus as Lord, and seeing people accept Jesus as Savior. They were making a profound difference.

But then John Mark left.

They were all working hard, and one of their own left. That must have been a real blow to the rest of the team. That could have been devastating to their self esteem, not to mention their ministry. They might have felt like if John Mark could give up despite all the good they were doing, despite not facing any horrific persecution yet, then what chance did they stand to make it? They could have been really discouraged. And maybe they were.

However, when they were at that synagogue, the rulers of the synagogue asked them to share any encouragement they might have with the people. They didn't stand there stuttering and mumbling, "Life is tough, but you got to trust God." They didn't have to act like they believed that.

Because they did believe that.

They didn't lose their encouragement. They didn't give up despite feeling abandoned. They kept pressing forward. They still believed in God and His plan. They kept sharing the Gospel.
 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Unexpected blows will always come your way, but don't lose your encouragement because of them. Let them make you stronger.

V. Joy Palmer

"His Commandments"

   "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
   If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
   These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in You, and that your joy may be full.
   This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
   Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."  John 15:9-13

Here's a thought ...real joy is found in abiding in Him and abiding comes as we keep His commandments! His commandment? Love one another the same way or rather ... with the same love He has for us.

Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnared us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength! Nehemiah 8:10

"The Real Strength"

   Now to His surprise, a young lion came roaring against him.
   And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. Judges 14:5-6

How about you? Have you ever felt like you wished you had the strength to wrestle with lions and win? The thing is Samson didn't fight his lion on his own or rather in his own strength. It says that the 'Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him,' and gave him the strength to take care of his lion. You will find this same phrase, ''the Spirit of the Lord came upon him' in verses 14:19, 15:14, when he had to fight other battles as well. Samson was know for His strength and the key here is that you and I, as believers have that same strength and anointing available to us as well. Why? How? Because we serve the same God and He is the same ...yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Because He is not a 'respecter of persons' in that He shows partiality to no man but rather looks at the heart and therefore when Jesus promised that the anointing of the Holy Spirit would come to those who believe.
 
   "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:38-39

   "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in You." John 14:15-17

We too have the ability to take on lions because we too, just as Jesus promised, have the same Holy Spirit anointing available to us! He is there for us the same way He was for Samson. We too can walk in His strength as the Spirit of the Lord comes upon us! The real question is ... Will we let Him?

   "There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it." Proverbs 21:20