You Can’t Keep a Good Man Down

Written By Betty Predmore

ACTS 14: 8-28 (June 22)

A few years ago, I was hurrying into "The Golden Arches" with my kiddos before bible study. It was my first bible study at my new church, and I was excited to get there.

In my rush, I failed to notice the parking curb. I tripped over it at a fast past, landing on my right knee and elbow. The pain was incredible!

I lay there, spread out on the parking lot, not able to move. My purse had spewed all over the ground and my kids were hysterical. Looking back, I can only chuckle at what a sight we must have made.

I finally got up; the pain so intense I could barely stand. Instead of heading to the urgent care center, I went to bible study. I sat through bible study with my leg propped on a chair, watching as my knee and arm swelled to monstrous proportions during the hour.

The enemy was really trying to keep me out of bible study that evening, but I didn't let him. However, immediately following study, my daughter insisted I go to the urgent care center, where I found out I had sprained my knee and fractured my elbow.

I was told to stay off my knee for several days, and to keep my arm in a sling. Yeah...right! Those who know me know that the ONE day I stayed in bed was torturous, and I was up and out by day 2. I was not going to be kept down from that injury when I had things to do. (Yes, I am that stubborn.) (You can't keep a good man - or woman - down.)

In today's Scripture reading, Paul and Barnabas encounter a crippled man. His feet are really messed up, most likely since birth. He didn't trip over a parking curb; he had simply been living his life with this disability for a long time.

Paul, being filled with the Holy Spirit, saw that this man was listening intently, with faith in what they were saying. Did you know that when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you get an awareness of the sincerity of someone's faith and their desire to know more?

Paul said to this man, in a loud voice, "Stand up!" And that is just what he did! He started walking, completely healed and grateful for this miracle.

You can imagine the crowd going wild! "These men are gods in human form!" they shouted. They decided Barnabus was the Greek god Zeus and Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker.

Paul said to this man, in a loud voice, "Stand up!" And that is just what he did! He started walking, completely healed and grateful for this miracle. (You can't keep a good man down.)

The crowd went wild! They thought these men must be gods and decided Barnabus was the Greek god Zeus and Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. So, they ran off to the temple and brought back bulls and wreaths of flowers and were going to offer sacrifices to the apostles.

The apostles were not happy with this and ran amongst them, shouting, "Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings - just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them."

Their words scarcely made a difference to this excited crowd.

Suddenly, here come the Jews! They just won't leave Paul and Barnabas alone. Theu won the crowd over to their point of view and stoned Paul. They dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. The believers gathered around him, mourning his death, when he got up and walked back to town. (You can't keep a good man down.)

The two apostles left the next day and traveled even further to preach the Good News before returning to Antioch of Syria, which was where their trip began. They called the church together to give them a full report of all that had happened. They reported that God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

Can you imagine how excited that church must have been to hear that great report? Paul and Barnabas were safely back to their starting point and stayed there for quite a while.

After all they had been through, it's no wonder they wanted to stay for a while. Wouldn't you? They had been "through the ringer" on this trip but came back successful in the Lord's work, because we all know you can't keep a good man down.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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