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We read in Acts 13:2 that the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for the work to which he had called them. And so Paul and Barnabas began their missionary journey together, going from one city to another, proclaiming the word of God to the people. But they faced much persecution on their journey, yet they remained faithful to God and to their calling.
I have always loved this story. Why? Here they were serving the Lord, doing what God had called them to do, preaching the truth of the gospel of Christ to the people. But then they faced opposition in the form of the Jews, who disbelieved in Christ, stirring up the minds of the Gentiles, embittering them against the two missionaries, Paul and Barnabas. But then it says, “Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord…” And this is what I love about it! They did not let the opposition stand in the way of them continuing to preach the truth of the gospel.
For Satan just loves to pull us down through opposition and false accusations against our character which produce persecution against us. If he can get us to be attacked and to have people turn against us, especially people who once supported and encouraged us, then he has accomplished his goal of attempting to silence us. And if we give in, and so we give up, and so we retreat, then he has won that battle and accomplished his purpose. So, we must not let him get the best of us, but we must resist him, and trust God.
Now the people were divided, and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. And we should expect that not everyone is going to be on the same side with us, not even all who profess faith in Jesus Christ. But this is provided that we are on the side of Christ and in agreement with his teachings. Yet not everyone is going to agree with what we are teaching, for not everyone is united with Christ in thought and word and deed. And there are many varied interpretations of what the Scriptures teach, as well.
And sometimes, but not always, when we are faced with opposition, particularly very strong opposition, the Lord may lead us to leave that place and to go somewhere else where our words, which come from him, will be received by the people, and where we will be allowed to continue to share the truth of the gospel of Christ with the people. For the goal is to keep giving out the Word of the Lord to the people, and so we need to be where we have that opportunity to do so. But that won’t be for forever.
But what is most critical here is that we make certain that the gospel message we are sharing is the same one taught by Jesus and by his New Testament apostles, as studied in their appropriate and full context. For many liars and deceivers exist who call themselves “Christians” and “ministers of the gospel” who are teaching Satan’s lies to the people. And many people are following the lies, while on their way to hell, on the promise of forgiveness of all sins and of heaven as their eternal destiny.
But Jesus Christ taught that to come to him we must deny self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin), and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to living in sin and for self, we will lose our lives for eternity. But if we deny self, die daily to sin, by the Spirit, and we walk in obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in his power, then we have eternal life with God. For not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING (obeying) the will of God (see Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23).
Gospel:[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]
As the Deer
By Martin J. Nystrom
Based off Psalm 42:1
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You
You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You
Caution: This link may contain ads
On a Missionary Journey
An Original Work / September 11, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love
“In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them, they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; and there they continued to preach the gospel.” (Acts 14:1-7 NASB1995)
I have always loved this story. Why? Here they were serving the Lord, doing what God had called them to do, preaching the truth of the gospel of Christ to the people. But then they faced opposition in the form of the Jews, who disbelieved in Christ, stirring up the minds of the Gentiles, embittering them against the two missionaries, Paul and Barnabas. But then it says, “Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord…” And this is what I love about it! They did not let the opposition stand in the way of them continuing to preach the truth of the gospel.
For Satan just loves to pull us down through opposition and false accusations against our character which produce persecution against us. If he can get us to be attacked and to have people turn against us, especially people who once supported and encouraged us, then he has accomplished his goal of attempting to silence us. And if we give in, and so we give up, and so we retreat, then he has won that battle and accomplished his purpose. So, we must not let him get the best of us, but we must resist him, and trust God.
Now the people were divided, and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. And we should expect that not everyone is going to be on the same side with us, not even all who profess faith in Jesus Christ. But this is provided that we are on the side of Christ and in agreement with his teachings. Yet not everyone is going to agree with what we are teaching, for not everyone is united with Christ in thought and word and deed. And there are many varied interpretations of what the Scriptures teach, as well.
And sometimes, but not always, when we are faced with opposition, particularly very strong opposition, the Lord may lead us to leave that place and to go somewhere else where our words, which come from him, will be received by the people, and where we will be allowed to continue to share the truth of the gospel of Christ with the people. For the goal is to keep giving out the Word of the Lord to the people, and so we need to be where we have that opportunity to do so. But that won’t be for forever.
But what is most critical here is that we make certain that the gospel message we are sharing is the same one taught by Jesus and by his New Testament apostles, as studied in their appropriate and full context. For many liars and deceivers exist who call themselves “Christians” and “ministers of the gospel” who are teaching Satan’s lies to the people. And many people are following the lies, while on their way to hell, on the promise of forgiveness of all sins and of heaven as their eternal destiny.
But Jesus Christ taught that to come to him we must deny self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin), and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to living in sin and for self, we will lose our lives for eternity. But if we deny self, die daily to sin, by the Spirit, and we walk in obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in his power, then we have eternal life with God. For not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING (obeying) the will of God (see Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23).
Gospel:[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]
As the Deer
By Martin J. Nystrom
Based off Psalm 42:1
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You
You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You
Caution: This link may contain ads
On a Missionary Journey
An Original Work / September 11, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love
