by Pastor Rich Carlson

Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey, through Cyprus and parts of modern-day Turkey, took about two years. The men traveled and preached in eight cities. Here is how I would summarize Acts 14:
1.    They preached in Jewish synagogues.
2.    The synagogues included both Jew and Gentile worshippers.
3.    Many Jews believed in the gospel message about Jesus.
4.    Many Gentiles also believed in Jesus.
5.   Some Jews who didn’t believe "poisoned the minds" of Gentiles, causing many problems for Paul and Barnabas.
6.    Paul’s reaction to the problems was to preach the word more boldly.
7.    God’s response was to provide  "miraculous signs and wonders" in support of Paul’s ministry.
8.    The non-believing Jews, and some Gentiles, responded by stoning Paul and Barnabas.
9.    Paul’s course of action was to move on, and continue preaching where there was not trouble.
10.    This resulted in a great miracle of healing and Paul being proclaimed a god. Paul rejected the deification, and the angry people responded by stoning him and leaving him for dead.
11.    Paul recovered and started retracing his steps back to where the journey began, but on the way he established churches and appointed leaders, "committing them to the Lord in whom they had put their trust."
12.    Back in Antioch, in Syria, Paul told "mission stories" about how God blessed their efforts.

So what’s in that chapter for me? I realize that miracles happened because a servant of God put himself in hostile territory and preached a message that must have been shocking to Jews and Gentiles. To the Jews, because it condemned their old way of life; to the Gentiles, because it was opposite to their old way of life. So much was on the line.

Interestingly, the miracle does not appear to have had a positive impact. I keep wanting to see miracles in my own spiritual journey, but I have a hard time finding anything more than knee-jerk amazement and short-term results to many miracles. Miracles wow people, but they do not appear to be the most effective tools in God’s toolbox.  The most effective way of reaching others seems to be a consistent life dedicated to Him. It’s not an act, miraculous as it might be, that changes people—it’s an attitude. The way to reach people is to show them a life lived for God.

I also learned from this section that I should share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who want to listen. For the rest, it’s best to move on for now. Maybe they aren’t ready to hear God’s word at this point in their lives. 

I have a renewed confidence in God’s willingness and ability to use me today in service for Him. I hope you do too.

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.