OzThoughts – Tuesday, 9th June, 2009

OzThoughts – Tuesday, 9th June, 2009

It has often been said there is no such thing as a secret disciple for discipleship of Jesus destroys secrecy. Yesterday, we considered how the religious leaders had Peter and John arrested and brought before them. Here’s the last portion of yesterday’s reading:
Acts 3: 18- 22
18-20 They (the religious leaders) called them back and warned them that they were on no account ever again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John spoke right back, "Whether it's right in God's eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. As for us, there's no question—we can't keep quiet about what we've seen and heard."
21-22 The religious leaders renewed their threats, but then released them. They couldn't come up with a charge that would stick, that would keep them in jail. The people wouldn't have stood for it—they were all praising God over what had happened. The man who had been miraculously healed was over forty years old. (The Message)
Notice how Peter and John tell the leaders that they will obey God rather than them. How do religious leaders answer that? We, too, have the opportunity of sharing the good news of Jesus. We can call it witnessing or doing mission , or introducing people to Jesus.
Whatever we call it, it does not just happen Sunday morning, when we gather with other Christians or when we put our uniform on. Witnessing is not an activity we will plan for the future. Witnessing is a ‘now’ activity. Yes, right now, at home, at work and at school or college.
As Peter and John said God plans it and we must be available right now for him.
Acts 4:23-31 (The Message)
One Heart, One Mind
23-26As soon as Peter and John were let go, they went to their friends and told them what the high priests and religious leaders had said. Hearing the report, they lifted their voices in a wonderful harmony in prayer: "Strong God, you made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. By the Holy Spirit you spoke through the mouth of your servant and our father, David:

Why the big noise, nations?
Why the mean plots, peoples?
Earth's leaders push for position,
Potentates meet for summit talks,
The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers!
27-28"For in fact they did meet—Herod and Pontius Pilate with nations and peoples, even Israel itself!—met in this very city to plot against your holy Son Jesus, the One you made Messiah, to carry out the plans you long ago set in motion.
29-30"And now they're at it again! Take care of their threats and give your servants fearless confidence in preaching your Message, as you stretch out your hand to us in healings and miracles and wonders done in the name of your holy servant Jesus."
31While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God's Word with fearless confidence.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4236.mp3 ]

I serve a risen Saviour,
He's in the world today;
I know that he is living,
Whatever men may say;
I see his hand of mercy,
I hear his voice of cheer,
And just the time I need him
He's always near.

Chorus
He lives, he lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life's narrow way.
He lives, he lives,
Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives?
He lives within my heart!

In all the world around me
I see his loving care;
And though my heart grows weary,
I never will despair;
I know that he is leading
Through all the stormy blast;
The day of his appearing
Will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
To Jesus Christ the King;
The hope of all who seek him,
The help of all who find;
None other is so loving.
So good and kind.
Author: Alfred Henry Ackley (1887-1906)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 334



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