But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.

Acts 14

But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. v20

As the folks at DesiringGod.com put it, "[Paul] abandoned the haunted hayride of human approval to walk Calvary’s underground road to freedom from the fear of man".  In Acts 14, we see Paul traveling during his first missionary journey.  He rejects being glorfied as a god (v14-17) and is later stoned - yet Paul is so filled with the Holy Spirit that he returns into the city where he was stoned!  

The takeaway and guidance from DesiringGod.com with regards to Paul's response is spot on: 

"Beware of acceptance, and beware of rejection. Beware of followers, and beware of enemies. Beware of praise, and beware of criticism. Above all, be content in what God says about you because you are in Christ.

Find your identity and confidence in him, not in what people think about you or in your status here in this life. It will free us to tell the world the beautiful and offensive message it desperately needs to hear."

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is always with me - thank You Jesus!  I know You love me and accept me - knowing everything about me - so that I need not concern myself about what others think about me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[T]his is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it.

Ezekiel 21

[T]his is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it. v26-27

We all want to be recognized - to feel worth, to be exalted.  Yet we often chase idols - other people, sex, drugs, alcohol, work, hobbies, etc. We often want the crown on our own head and and we often place our own desires ahead of those of God - we fail to recognize that we exist to glorify God.  God is our King of Kings and He deserves the glory!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, full of love of mercy and compassion for me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  I often place myself and idols before and above You. Please forgive me!  Help me turn from such sin, overcome it and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.