Thursday - February 5th

Good Morning:

Lessons from Lystra05 Feb 2009
'And in Lystra...' Acts 14:8
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 X Factor or I'd Do Anything without a single voice lesson. Or getting your paintings displayed at a famous gallery 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. 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..."' (Acts 14:11-15 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; we struggle, God blesses us and enables us to build a great ministry, now people can't even talk to us 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.


Love men and women but put your trust only in God.

Pastor J.