Today's Bible reading is the 14th chapter of the Book of Acts. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2014&version=NASB

As Paul and Barnabas came into the city of Iconium they continued to faithfully preach the gospel, that which Paul would later write of, saying it was "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek". The apostle had lived what he wrote of. As the gospel was spoken in Iconium we see that "a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks". Where the Lord would do a great work through the power of His gospel message, disbelieving Jews would often rise up in opposition to the work. I appreciate what we read in the passage today as we find Paul and Barnabas in that very situation. Choosing not to leave when the people were incited to be embittered against them, they continued on "speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord". Oh, how we need to speak the gospel or do whatever ministry God has called us to "with reliance upon the Lord". We ought not rely upon ourselves or rely upon the wisdom and strength of men. Our reliance must always rest on the Lord. Paul and Barnabas would eventually flee Iconium after learning of an attempt to stone them and continue on preaching the gospel message and seeing God add to His church. After Paul heals a man in Lystra, a man who the scripture says had been lame from his mother's womb, opposition Jews who had followed him from Antioch and Iconium would stir up the people against him. Paul was then stoned and drug out of the city and left for dead. Though he had been stoned, he was not dead and the following day he would leave with Barnabas for the city of Derbe where they would again preach the gospel and make "many disciples". One last thought from today's passage would be the pattern that Paul and Barnabas had set forth before they returned to Antioch and reported on their missionary journey. After going from city to city preaching the gospel boldly, relying upon the Lord and witnessing the power of the gospel, they had it in their hearts, and Spirit lead I'm sure, to return to the cities they had ministered in, despite the troubles they may have encountered in each, in order to strengthen the souls of believers and encourage them to continue in the faith. May we be like minded in our approach to ministry.