Acts 14:8-28

Be still: Take 5 minutes to sit in silence and breathe slowly. 

Read: Acts 14:8-28

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. (vv11–13) 

Encounter: Having just read The Odyssey and watched the film, (so now self diagnosing myself as an ancient literature professor!) I understand why the crowds acted the way they did. Witnessing Paul heal a man, believing him and Barnabas are God, offering sacrifices- bulls and wreaths. It makes sense from their understanding of gods and the fear they have of their power and wrath. This stands in stark contrast to our God, to Jesus. Paul saw the man needed healing, had faith, prayed a simple prayer and the man was healed. There was no requirement for either of them to make sacrifices or anything. It was a gift. 

Apply: Matthew chapter 10 verse 5 says: 'Freely you have received; freely give.' The man who Paul healed freely received healing. We have freely received God’s love, forgiveness, kindness, every spiritual blessing and the list goes on! What does it look like for me to freely give out of the abundance I’ve received today? It’s both being kind to someone when it’s sunny and I’m feeling happy, and forgiving someone when they’ve really wronged me and it hurts. The principle doesn’t change based on the scale of the challenge or our circumstance. 

Devote: Jesus, I find it much easier to freely receive and give when I’m in a good mood. Please help me and give me the strength to do it on hard days when I’m feeling tired.