Daily Encouragement

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

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Thursday, April 27, 2023

Old Town San Diego

"U-Turn"

Travel note: Today we are in San Diego.

Message summary: Today, like Paul, we urge each reader to turn from all vain things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

Note: Podcast not prepared for this message.

"We bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them" (Acts 14:15).

Brooksyne and I had an interesting flight experience on our way out to San Diego on Tuesday. We had a connection in Denver but after flying across Nebraska the pilot informed us that due to severe storms and tornadoes in the area the Denver airport was closed. Our flight was diverted when we made a u-turn to go back to Omaha.

After landing in Omaha most got off the plane while it was refueled and the status in Denver airport was uncertain. The stopover quickly ended after the weather cleared in the Denver area and our flight headed across Nebraska again, so in the span of just a couple of hours we flew over Nebraska three times! I doubt that any of my relatives who've lived all their lives in Nebraska ever did that before! *

But the u-turn got me thinking about the most important u-turn we make in life, the u-turn from all the vain things of this life to the living God.

In the daily text Paul and Barnabas demonstrated a proper response to those who had a very mistaken notion that they were gods, immediately deflecting the people's misdirected praise and pointing them to the one true God who is worthy of all our praise. (Normally we just use the most pertinent part of a Scripture portion but this entire selection is needed here.)

"And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, 'The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!' Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 'Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations He allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet He did not leave himself without witness, for He did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.' Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them" (Acts 14:11-18).

Paul and Barnabas had prayed for a man crippled from birth to be healed and God miraculously answered that prayer. But the crowd mistook the miracle from God to be healing power generated from the apostles and considered them to be gods sent from heaven in the form of man. Many of the heathen emperors called themselves gods, so the crowd reasoned why not celebrate these powerful men and declare them to be the newest gods? In their excitement and celebratory mood they did just that and began to prepare sacrifices in Paul and Barnabas' honor.

The apostles quickly responded by rejoicing that they were being considered gods. NOT! In reality they responded to the crowd by tearing their clothes. Scripture does not mention that the apostles tore their clothes when they were being reviled. They could face this without disturbance, but when they were being deified they refused to be honored as gods! If Christian workers who are used of God would remain humble and not become crowd seekers or crowd pleasers, but instead give all the glory and honor to Jesus, the kingdom of God would increase and the scandalous stories would diminish.

Today, like Paul, we urge all who read this to make a u-turn from all vain idols (in whatever form they may appear), and turn to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, just as Barnabas and Paul refused the praise of men, we too must never glory in anything we say or do, but acknowledge and testify that all wisdom and power is given to us from our Creator God to point others to Christ that He might be glorified in anything accomplished through us. The world is full of idols, both human and man-made, and we must be ever so careful not to make idols or seek to become an idol to others, even followers of Christ. It is essential that we serve only the God of heaven and earth for You said, "I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me." We place You in Your rightful place and declare our allegiance to You and You alone. Amen.

* Due to our connecting flight also being delayed we were still able to make it to San Diego late Tuesday night, though much later than our original plan.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"When I Survey The Wondrous Cross" Click to listen on YouTube Keith & Kristyn Getty

All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood

We are staying in a home on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a bit different view than when home preparing our message!

Hard working bakers preparing tortillas at the Old Town Mexican Cafe.

We shared this Molcajete meal at the Old Town Mexican Cafe.

The molcajete bowl is a basic utensil of Mexican cuisine that has been used since pre-Hispanic times and has given a unique flavor and flair to Mexican gastronomy. It also kept our food hot!

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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