In the last devotion I type, i wrote how Paul was at a place in his life he was weak in the flesh, and needed help by another to care for his needs. I typed about tender mercies. Today lesson we see Paul and Barnabas in a Godlike image with only one healing to begin talk of the people that god had descended and Paul must be Mercurius, being the chief speaker and Barnabas Jupiter. Then the crowd wanted to perform sacrifices to them and Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes and ran to stop them, explaining to them they were men just like them with like passion and encourage them to turn from their vanities to a living God that made heaven, earth, sea and all things, who "suffered all nation to walk in their own way". He gave man a witness to who "gave rain from heaven and fruitful seasons", "filling our hearts with food and gladness". Even though they stop the people from performing a sacrifice to them, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came by and stir up the crowd. They stoned Paul and threw him out of the city persuming he was dead. The disciples gather around Paul and prayed and Paul rose up and departed from the city with Barnabas to derb. Where they made disciples in other cities they would encourage them to continue in faith.

What the point of repeating the story in scripture you just read, to get the main focus of Paul was in his prime in ministry, he was not needing assistance but a time was coming he would need help even when in chains. Paul proclaiming himself as a man, though very capable of speaking and talking to persuade people to follow God and Christ in faith. He bore the testimony of the power of God before a city that had all kinds of people passing through.

What is the point is God is leaving his mark on people to be witness to others. That mark is a testimony of who he is. That mark is of his power and might, not of a person's ability or inability to be overcomers, but people with faith in God and Christ Jesus. I seen ministers grow old, only to know they once held title in a city because of the work God had done through them. There names known throughout and area, because of God work in their life. Yet as each minister aged they still needed assistance in their duties and work. They became unable to do all they use to do and people were encouraged to do those things for the minister, but it often gave a good opportunity for training and aid to the minister. It was preparing another minister to come in and do all he could do and seek help in areas needed, but he also had a group of people already train in areas that were of value not only to the minister but the church. Some people do not carry the weight of their minister in the since of respect and trust, even though they be capable people of ministry and it often hurts the church.

Paul had people that worked with him through out ministry, but when it came time for different help like in yesterdays lesson Onemisus became a candidate for the job because of location and training. God will provide people and trained them to step up to the plate and help in times of need. People are often on top of the world at the prime of their career only to need aid other times in life. Some people even considering them almost star like potential. Most time people are able to give up that change because of aging or health. It does not make it easy, but it does not mean life does not continue, or one foot does not move forward. It means faith and hope in God continues to be shared no matter the role of a person. Paul was in chains in yesterday story but was still preaching.

Life changes but it does not stop anyone from being who they are called to be, it means they just can not do it all anymore without aid. Paul life was very dramatic before those chains of his and his illness, he was strong and vibrant speaker. When chains came on his body lost its strength but his mind was still teaching and preaching with his lips about Jesus. Imagine to have people think you are a God for a moment only to come to a place people had not that high of opinion of you anymore. Some came to that opinion quickly for Paul was stoned. Yet no doubt when he rose up and was able to walk to the next town he left believers behind to testify what God was able to do.

Do not be ashamed of weakness, God not finished with anyone yet, if you still believing you are a testimony to someone. If you are in pain you are still a testimony to someone. If bond in chains you can still be a witness to someone. Can you handle your situation with faith that God might deliver you, enable you to fight once more. Only thing you can do is look ahead and keep your eyes on Jesus, because the war of faith is just begun. We got til the day of Christ return to keep sharing the Gospel of Jesus.

Dear Heavenly Father, prepare your people to just continue in the work they are called too, help them to encourage others to help handle the load. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: 1 Corinthians 12:28 KJV
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.