This week I learned about Paul's first mission. We can learn a lot from this apostles experiences and we can draw strength from what he taught as he made his way trying to convert others to Christ's teachings. As you see from the map above, he started in Seleucia moving on to Salamis on the island of Cyprus. After Salamis, they went into Paphos where they met with a sorcerer and another man. This other man, Sergius Paulus, desired to be taught the word of God but the sorcerer tried to prevent him form hearing what Paul and his companion, Barnabus, were teaching. Paul, being filled with the Holy Ghost, cause the sorcerer to be blind because he was preventing the gospel from being taught to Sergious Paulus.
Up to this point, they had another apostle traveling with them who was John. After leaving Paphos, the when into Perga when John left them to return to Jerusalem. They moved on into Antioch and set to work teaching in the synagogue. As they taught, they testified of Christ and all that He had done on their behalf. Once they finished teaching in the synagogues, the Gentiles asked to be taught as well on the next week. When the Jew saw that the apostles were teaching the Gentiles as well as the Jews, the Jews become upset but Paul let them know that the gospel is for all who will listen and believe. The Jews were not happy and kicked Paul and Barnabus out of their city.
In Iconium, things seemed to be getting worse. The Jews begin to stir up trouble wherever Paul and Barnabus went. The good thing here was that they were aware of the plans the Jews had for them and were able to leave, moving on into Lystra and Derbe, where they were able to teach and perform miracles.
One such miracle was that of a man who was born crippled and unable to walk. Because Paul could feel the faith of this man, commanded the man to arise and walk. Upon hearing Paul, the man not only got up and walked but he leaped.
I can only imagine the joy and gratitude this man had but his action of "leaping" when the apostle told him he was healed shows me that I must always show my gratitude for the blessings Heavenly Father has given to me, especially through my faith.
Upon seeing this miracle, the people starting calling Paul and Barnabus gods, praising them, and trying to make sacrifices unto them. Both Paul and Barnabas were not happy with this praise and they stopped the people in their praises, telling them that they were men just like them. All their works, like the healing of this man, were done through the power in which they were given but that all glory and praise were to go to Heavenly Father. Without all that God has given us, we are nothing and is there for us in all things, in all places, and at all times.
By this point, another group of Jews caught up with Paul and Barnabus and began to persecute them once again but their work was not done. They were able to escape and preceed to teach many people as they returned back through the city in which they came and returned to Anitoch. As they made their way back, they went "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22)
The tribulation that Paul and Barnabus faced was great (Paul being stoned and thought to be dead but stood up and walked away) but they did continue in faith, doing the work Heavenly Father wanted of them. We can do no less in what we are called to do. Our work may be hard and, at some points, we may feel like rocks are falling down around our heads but it is through our faith in Heavenly Father that we will receive the strength we need to carry on with the work He would have us do. If we feel discouraged or lost, we are taught that through prayer and fasting, we can find our way again. We can also get a blessing from a priesthood leader who will give us direct words from our Heavenly Father for our help in knowing how to reconnect ourselves. This life is not easy and the work we are called to do is not easy but we are not alone. Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to turn to Him in all that we do. Paul and Barnabus are great examples of heeding the call to work in His kingdom and to bring others to the gospel. Through their example, I know that I can do the work. Through my faith, I can receive the strength I need to do what He would have me do and if, for some reason, I forget what I'm suppose to be doing, by praying, fasting, and if needed, a blessing can help me reconnect myself to the Spirit and continue in the work.
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