Why It’s Important to Go, Tell, Love, and Leave the Rest to God
Have you ever wished you could perform miracles?
Maybe you’ve imagined yourself having an impact on someone’s life through a healing word or touch. And dreamt those moments would convince people once and for all that Jesus truly is the Son of God.
Miracles like Paul performed:
While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed. So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking.
Acts 14:8–10
WOW, can you imagine? It’s no surprise that the people were impressed! In fact, they were so impressed they declared Paul and Barnabas “gods in human form!”
It might have been tempting to accept the praise and adulation . . . the gifts and sacrifices. I mean, who doesn’t want applause and appreciation with a little popularity thrown in for good measure.
But that wasn’t the reaction the crowd got from Paul and Barnabas. They responded by tearing their clothes in dismay and shouting…
Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News…
Acts 14:15a
That turned out to be both God-honoring and wise . . . because rather than being thankful for Paul and Barnabas’ message and becoming life-long followers of Jesus, just a few verses later it says:
Some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead.
Acts 14:19
You see, the fact is—faith in Jesus is a gift from God given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
It’s not our job to implant faith and change lives. It’s our job to simply tell others how knowing and loving Jesus has made a difference in our lives.
It’s our job to go and tell and show His love.
There is freedom and peace is simply doing what God has called us to do and trusting Him to do the rest.
A Prayer to Go, Tell, Love, and Leave the Rest to God
Father, You are the God who loves. You are the God of miracles. Of changed lives and hope and promise.
Please forgive me. I can be so quick to want recognition and popularity. I can easily rely on pleasing people rather than setting my heart and mind on pleasing You. I am so sorry.
My heart’s desire is to know You and make You known . . . to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and go and tell others about the incredible blessings found in Your love. I want to love people in ways that show people Your amazing grace, undeserved mercy, and unfailing love.
By Your grace, please help me trust and obey You, help me follow Your will as You reveal it to me, and help me look to You and leave the outcome of my efforts to You. Your Word says that You want everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4) Thank you! By Your grace, we are saved. Your love is beyond comprehension. Amen.
It’s funny how you and I can settle for something so fickle and temporary as praise and popularity when God wants us to bless us ways that are so much better.
Pause throughout the day today and thank God for His grace, mercy, and love. Thank Him for the gift of Jesus. And ask Him to help you Go, Tell, and Love.
On today’s note write:
Go, Tell, Love, and Trust God with Everything Else!
God bless you today and you find your rest in Him. Let Him fill you with all you need to share His love.
Click here to read the rest of Acts 14.
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