Paul's First Missionary Journey
                                                                      Acts 13:1-52

Barnabas and Paul were teachers in the church at Antioch (ANT e ock).  One day during a worship
servicethe Holy Spirit revealed His special plans for the two men.  The church fasted and prayed
 and sent them on their way.

They sailed to the island of Cyprus (SIE prus).  They crossed over the island and came to the town
of  Paphos (PAY fus).  An interesting thing happened in that town. There was a false prophet
named Bar-Jesus. He was a sorcerer who practiced magic and tricked the people.  His master,
 a government official named Sergius Paulus (SIR jee us PAUL us) wanted to learn from Paul and
 Barnabas.  But Bar-Jesus, also known as Elymas (E luh mus), didn't want his master to hear their
 message.  He started speaking against them.

Paul called Elymas the "son of the devil and the enemy of everything that was right".  He told him
 that he was going to become blind and not be able to see the light of the sun.Immediately
everything became dark to him.  He couldn't see a thing!  He started trying to find someone to
 lead him by the hand.

When the official saw what had happened, he believed the words of Paul and Barnabas.  He was amazed
at the story of Jesus.

The two preachers continued to travel.  There were no cars, trains, or buses.  They either walked
 or rode on animals.  They traveled miles and miles, and many people believed their teaching and
became followers of Jesus.  They suffered countless hardships and persecutions, but they
considered these things to be trivial compared to the joy and promised reward of obeying the Lord
 and following the directions of the Holy Spirit.  They no longer lived for themselves, but for God.

Memory Verse:
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm
 you, plans to give you hope and a future.
                                                          Jeremiah 29:11  NIV