Daily Reading - "And In Lystra." Acts 14:8 NKJV

So here is how it read today...

Mon Dec. 22
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"AND IN LYSTRA." (ACTS 14:8 NKJV)
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Lessons from Lystra

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..........The Bible says, "In Lystra a...man...who had never walked...heard Paul speaking...Paul...observing...that he had faith to be healed, said...'Stand up straight on your feet!' And he leaped and walked" (v. 8-10 NKJV). That's extraordinary. Without months of therapy to get his brain's neurological system functioning and his atrophied muscles activated, this man who couldn't stand up suddenly started walking. That's like winning American Idol or the Eurovision Son Contest without a single voice lesson. Or getting your paintings displayed at the Louvre without having an art class. God reverses the damage of your past and blesses you with success. You "walk into it" by His power and grace. Sometimes that's how God works.

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..........Next we read, "When the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying..."The gods have come down to us'...When the apostles...heard this, they tore their clothes...crying out...'why are you doing these things? We also are men'" (Ac 12:11-15 NKJV). Here we go again! We keep wanting to make gods out of people. Someone that nobody's ever heard of hits the high note, gets a record deal and becomes an overnight star - and we set them up as a role model. Lord, help us! IT even happens to preachers; you struggle, God blesses you and enables you to build a great ministry, now people can't even talk to you without an appointment (unless they happen to be big donors). Paul and Barnabas didn't go out and buy a wardrobe commensurate with their new image, or hire a publicity agent. No, they "tore their clothes" and cried, "We also are men." Wise up! The crowd that worshipped Paul yesterday, stoned him today. Bottom line: be humble, love people, but trust only in God.