THURSDAY - August 13

Read. Acts 17:16-21
16 While Paul waited for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed to find that the city was flooded with idols. 17 He began to interact with the Jews and Gentile God-worshippers in the synagogue. He also addressed whoever happened to be in the marketplace each day. 18 Certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers engaged him in discussion too. Some said, “What an amateur! What’s he trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods.” (They said this because he was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.) 19 They took him into custody and brought him to the council on Mars Hill. “What is this new teaching? Can we learn what you are talking about? 20 You’ve told us some strange things and we want to know what they mean.” (21 They said this because all Athenians as well as the foreigners who live in Athens used to spend their time doing nothing but talking about or listening to the newest thing.)

Reflect. Paul was escorted out of Beroea and taken as far as Athens. When he arrives in Athens he has been on the run and is alone. Imagine arriving in a foreign city, the sights and smells and sounds you might encounter. Merchants selling their goods. Street vendors selling food. People gathering and walking around. The hustle and bustle of life, and you are dropped in the middle of it without a plan. 

• It appears that Paul just wanders around sightseeing. And as he walks the streets, he becomes deeply distressed because of all the idols in the city. It was said of ancient Athens that it was easier to meet a god than a man in Athens. Paul had been in pagan cities before, but something about his recent hardships must be weighing on him; he becomes distressed. 
• Paul kind of turns into a street preachers and starts talking to anyone who will listen about Jesus. 
• What do you think you would have done if you were in Paul’s shoes? You are on the run for your life; now you end up in a new city where you can disappear until your friends arrive. What do you do? Would you go about preaching (the same activity that got you in trouble before) like Paul did? Would you find a place to lay low and stay out of trouble? What do you think caused Paul to do what he did? 

Pray. Lord, Paul put aside his comfort to share with others about your love. Help me to find a way to share your loved with someone today. Amen. 

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST

Doug. Bobby. Collier. Glenn. Adam.  Mary.  Clyde.  Linda. Betty Carolyn. Jeff. Albert. Richard. Lois. Ross. Tiny. Donald. Bill. Barbara. Andreas. Helen. Bonnie Brenner. Baker Family. Robert McKenzie Family. Kibler family. Carolyn Harlow. Jeremy. Jeff Green. Lyric. Earl Graves. Mickey Huff. Huff & Welch families. Helen Leigh. Paul Huffman. Schools, Teachers, Staff, Parents, Students. Church regathering plans. Layman family. Charlene Withrow. John. Brandon Casteel. Dirk Orr.