OzThoughts – Monday, 29th June, 2009

OzThoughts – Monday, 29th June, 2009

One thing is certain as we face this week that not everyone will like us. With some people it will be just a feeling we get and with others they will tell us exactly how they feel about us. For sure, if we start going on loudly about the football or cricket team we follow there will be those who oppose us because they follow a different team. Others will not like our choices of food or where to go for a time of entertainment or relaxation. Some definitely will not like our choice of music.
When we state we are a Christian and what Jesus means to us there will be those will oppose us.

Jesus told the Disciples when he sent them out
“If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them."(Luke 9:5 New International Version)
or as The Message says:

“If you're not welcomed, leave town. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on."( Luke 9:5 The Message.)


Now that is exactly what Paul and Barnabas did at Pisidian Antioch when opposition arose

Paul and Barnabas shrugged their shoulders and went on to the next town, Iconium, brimming with joy and the Holy Spirit, two happy disciples. (Acts 13:51 The Message)

Then they got to Iconium and were successful in sharing the message of Jesus but after some time opposition arose and then:

“they escaped as best they could to the next towns—Lyconia, Lystra, Derbe, and that neighborhood—but then were right back at it again, getting out the Message. “ (Acts 14: 6-7. The Message).

This week there may be “shake the dust and shrug the shoulders” situations but remember God is with us !

[Listen: http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/BAB3503%20-%2007%20-%20The%20Pathway%20of%20Duty.mp3 ]

There's a path that's sometimes thorny,
There's a narrow way, and straight;
It is called the path of duty,
And it leads to Heaven's gate.
While we tread this path of duty,
We will find our needs supplied
From the river of God's mercy
That is flowing close beside.

Chorus
By the pathway of duty
Flows the river of God's grace.
By the pathway of duty
Flows the river of God's grace.

'Tis a blessed way and holy,
'Tis a path of peace and joy;
Though sometimes the way be stony
And the cares of life annoy.
But this path that we call duty
Is the way the Master trod,
And the smile of love and beauty
Lights the way that leads to God.

Let us walk this path of duty
With our faces to the sun,
Carry all our burdens gladly,
Finish well what we've begun.
From the river of God's mercy
That is flowing by the way,
We may drink and find refreshing
For the burdens of the day.
Author: Sidney Edward Cox (1887-1975)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 462
Acts 14:1-7 (The Message)
Acts 14
1-3 When they got to Iconium they went, as they always did, to the meeting place of the Jews and gave their message. The Message convinced both Jews and non-Jews—and not just a few, either. But the unbelieving Jews worked up a whispering campaign against Paul and Barnabas, sowing mistrust and suspicion in the minds of the people in the street. The two apostles were there a long time, speaking freely, openly, and confidently as they presented the clear evidence of God's gifts, God corroborating their work with miracles and wonders.
4-7But then there was a split in public opinion, some siding with the Jews, some with the apostles. One day, learning that both the Jews and non-Jews had been organized by their leaders to beat them up, they escaped as best they could to the next towns—Lyconia, Lystra, Derbe, and that neighborhood—but then were right back at it again, getting out the Message.

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