Friday, September 19th: Acts 14 shows Paul and Barnabas living the gospel out loud in real places with real pushback. John and Mariza trace their route through Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, unpacking the cultural backdrop that shaped how people heard and misunderstood miracles—like mistaking the apostles for gods. They highlight how discipleship isn’t just believing the right things but learning, practicing, and passing on the way of Jesus. The episode lingers on the tension we all feel: joy and hardship are not opposites; in God’s hands they often arrive together. We also see the holy courage of returning to hard places, strengthening new believers, and appointing leaders even under pressure. Pressure, they argue, can be a privilege—an invitation to grow, clarify our hope, and deepen resilience. By the end, Acts 14 becomes a mirror for our own lives: share Jesus plainly, endure opposition faithfully, keep investing in people, and let God use the hard to produce real growth.

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