Acts 14:1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
Acts 14:2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
Acts 14:3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Acts 14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
Acts 14:5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,
Acts 14:6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
Acts 14:7 And there they preached the gospel.

Acts 14:8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
Acts 14:9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

Acts 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
Acts 14:20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Acts 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

In this story of Paul and the disciples we find them coming to the Greeks to preach the Gospel, when they get there lots of people Greek and Jew believed them. But some unbelieving Jews followed them stirring up Trouble, wanting to stone them.

So Paul and the disciples fled Iconium, to cities of Lycaonia. Did great works there, But the disciples are about to learn a lesson. No matter where you go to preach and teach the Gospel the devil is going to try to detour you or stop you any way he can. The devil doesn’t want the truth out there; Cause the truth will set the people free.

Paul is doing great, man that was crippled was healed. Oh but here comes the devil, after the miracle is done, the devil raises his head up to fight. Here comes the Jews that were starting trouble in Iconium, they found Paul, See I know why Paul ran the first time, Paul was a new convert, he knew what a stoning was he had been there to see many cause he is the one that order most of them.

He got scared, so they ran the first time, But now they found them, grab Paul stoned him, dragged him out of the city and left him there they thought he was dead.


Acts 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
Acts 14:20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

Look up the word Howbeit, it means also, So also the disciples stood around him. Thinking he was Dead, probably looking at each other, no words probably could come out, wondering what are we going to do.

Then all of a sudden life breath back into him, Paul rose up, and went back into the City. I WILL NOT DIE IN MY DILEMMA.

The bibles says

Acts 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

Disciples were telling people hey you might have to go through something to get to the kingdom of God. But YOU WILL NOT DIE IN YOUR DILEMMA.

God open the door from then on to the Gentiles, It took a little trouble a little hard ache, a little sickness, a little pain. But the door of Faith was opened.

Remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego told Nebuchadnezzar hey we don’t care what you do to us, We will not bow down to your GOD, The king threw them in the burning fiery furnace. Oh but when the king went to the window to see what was going on in there. He seen four men in there not three and the fourth man is like the Son of God.

We you go thru the fire and pain, Jesus is there with you. What about Daniel in the Loins Den, King hollered at Daniel are you alright , Daniel replied God sent angel to close the mouth of the loin. Just when you think its all over, when it seems like nothing change what is going on your life.
Jesus shows up brings you straight on out of fiery trail. God sent Jeremiah down to the potter’s house, Jeremiah watch as the potter put his hands in the Clay, and begin to mold it. God told him, as this be you in my hands as I mold you, show times God, has to get a little rough with us, he has to really bare down to smooth our flesh out so when can be molded into what he wants us to be.

But he don’t stop there, he stills has to put us in the oven to harden us, WHY? Because clay that is not harden can be molded again in different ways, so the potter puts the clay in the oven begins to pressure cook it to harden it so when it falls it want have a big dent in it, it want deform out of shape. Oh but it will hit the floor and bounce and will not break.

That’s why we must go thru the fiery trail, not so Jesus can punish us, but so we can be harden to with stand blows from the devil. Have you every seen the Navy Seals train, they train this men, in freezing cold temps, make then run, pick up things, shoot targets when they have had no sleep for days. WHY? Because they don’t know what Battle they will be called into, but whatever they face they will be ready cause they are harden by the training.

Its time we pick up our cross and begin to carry it around it may be heavy, it might hurt sometimes, People might talk about us, people might do things to stop us or hurts. BUT I WILL NOT DIE IN MY DILEMMA. I WILL KEEP PUSHING ON AND ON.

THERE IS NO DEVIL IN HELL THAT CAN STOP WHAT GOD HAS STARTED.

Isa 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Isa 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Psalms 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalms 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psalms 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

I WILL NOT DIE IN MY DILEMMA !!!!!!!!!!