Jim Stephens' Gracenotes from Resource Ministries International

Grace, Courage, and Wisdom

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Acts 14:1-7

1 The same thing happened in Iconium. Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. 2 Some of the Jews, however, spurned God’s message and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas. 3 But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. 4 But the people of the town were divided in their opinion about them. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5 Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. 6 When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area. 7 And there they preached the Good News. (Acts 14:1-7 NLT)

Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue in Iconium. It’s like they weren’t quite ready yet to give up on bringing the Good News to the Jews. Doing God’s work doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing—but it does guarantee God’s presence. Three things stand out from these few verses:

1. Expect Impact, But Prepare for Opposition (Acts 14:1-2) Paul and Barnabas experienced incredible fruit (“A great number…became believers”) and yet they faced fierce hostility (“poisoned the minds”). Obstacles tend to be circumstantial. Opposition tends to be personal or spiritual attack and resistance. When you experience pushback while trying to do the right thing—whether at work, in your family, or in your ministry—it doesn’t mean you’ve misheard God. Be Steadfast in God’s Grace.

2. Stand Firm in the Grace of God (Acts 14:3) Stand your ground in faith and do the work faithfully. Paul and Barnabas didn’t become bitter or combative. They focused on “the Grace of the Lord”. They doubled down on grace and let God handle the validation of their obedience. (“And the Lord proved their message was true”). Be Courageous.

3. Know When to Pivot (Acts 14:6-7) Fleeing Iconium wasn’t cowardice or a failure of faith; it was wisdom. A closed door or a forced exit may simply be God’s redirection to the next assignment. Be Wise.

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for the privilege of your presence on my journey of faith and obedience. Give me courage to stand firm in the assignment even when obstacles hinder or opposition arises. Give me discernment to know when to stand firm and fight through the friction, and the humility to know when to pivot and let you lead me forward. Amen!