Unstoppable! 'People Were Divided' — Acts 14:4-7

Saturday, August 1, 2026

But the people of [Iconium] were divided in their opinion about [Paul and Barnabas and their message]. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.

Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia — to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area. And there they preached the Good News.

— Acts 14:4-7 NLT

Key Thought

Fierce and violent adversaries forced the mission team - Paul and Barnabas - to flee Iconium. Sharing Jesus in cross-cultural contexts was not only challenging, but also dangerous. When Paul and Barnabas left the thriving church in Antioch,* I'm sure they knew they were heading out on a perilous adventure for Jesus. They gave up so much - their homes, cultures, friends, and spiritual family - to go and risk everything to share Jesus in different places and with unknown people. As I think of their hardships, I cannot help but think of missionaries today who have done something very similar. Let's remember to pray for missionaries and their work today and find a way to bless them. Many of them have given up a great deal and risked everything to share Jesus. Let's thank and praise them for their work!

* See the Related Scripture Readings for passages related to the Thought.

Today's Prayer

Lord, my dear Abba Father, I am praying today focused on those who share Jesus in other cultures. Please protect and bless them. Empower their words and give them the wisdom to know what to say and how to say it as they seek to share the message of Jesus. I ask this blessing for your servant messengers in Jesus' name and for his glory. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

First Mission Is Completed!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, In today's verses, Luke writes about the last part of Paul and Barnabas' first missionary journey. As you saw yesterday, they..."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 14:4-7 NLT — But the people of [Iconium] were divided in their opinion about [Paul and Barnabas and their message]. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia — to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area. And there they preached the Good News.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, August 1, 2026

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 4:25-26
"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Christ Living in Me' (Ro. 8:9-15)
"Dear Father, who indwells me, Show me that I do not really live in the flesh, since your Spirit really dwells in me, else I would not belong to you....."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'He Never Grows Weak or Weary' (Is. 40:28-29)
"Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one....."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 86:5
"You are forgiving and good, O LORD, abounding in love to all who call on you."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!