GATHER AROUND // MAY 25, 2023
Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
Acts 14:19-20
The same crowd that wanted to worship Paul and Barnabus were now attempting to execute them -- throwing rocks and leaving Paul for dead outside the city. After the disciples came to gather around him, Paul got up.
We need to use caution when we're around rock throwers; eventually, they'll throw their rocks at us. Instead, get around people who go to the Rock. A lot of people will be there when we're up, popular or making money. But not many will gather around us when we're wounded, beaten or down and out.
Who is gathering around you? More importantly, who are you gathering around? You're called to live set apart. Be the kind of friend who doesn't tear down but lifts up. You can help others stand -- pointing them back to their identity in Christ and staying when things get hard. Others may leave them for dead, but the God who rose from the dead can lift them to life.