20151020 SHEEP, WOLVES, SNAKES AND DOVES

SHEEP, WOLVES, SNAKES AND DOVES

Matthew 10:16-20 "Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.  (17)  But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.  (18)  You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are My followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about Me.  (19)  When you are arrested, don't worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.  (20)  For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Jesus doesn’t sugar coat the task set before us. “Sheep among wolves,” “flogged with whips,” “trial before governors and kings.” I’m not crazy about any of those things. And we are to face these things with wisdom and without harming anyone.

I believe the key here is once again trust. We are to see these trials as opportunities to tell others about Jesus and what He has done for them. We’re told, “don’t worry… God will give you the right words at the right time.”

The reason Jesus gives for the floggings and such is, “because you are My followers.” The whole reason for this blog is because John 8:31 Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, "You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings…”

Ask yourself these questions. “Am I faithful to the teaching of Christ? If Christianity were made illegal in my country today would there be enough evidence to convict me?”

Father in heaven, grant us wisdom and grace. Protect us as we walk among wolves. May we walk so closely with You and in Your teachings that there is no question whether we are Your followers. Grant us the peace that comes with trusting You wholly even when we are persecuted. Speak through us as Jesus promised in this passage. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20150821 WORRY

WORRY

Matthew 6:25-34 "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  (26)  Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to Him than they are?  (27)  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  (28)  "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, (29) yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  (30)  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?  (31)  "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?'  (32)  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  (33)  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.  (34)  "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

Worry is the opposite of faith and when we worry we show that we do not know how much our Heavenly Father loves us. 1 John 4:18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love.

Romans 14:17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Life is so much more than the sum of our daily necessities. Science teaches us that worry does quite the opposite of adding to our lives. It shortens our lives. Worry causes us to lose sleep, drives up our blood pressure, causes strokes and heart disease. This is only the beginning of the physical problems it causes. Now, some of you reading this will begin to worry that worrying is going to kill you. Don’t do that. Stop right now and take a deep breath.

Your Heavenly Father already knows what you need. Change your focus. Think differently. Seek His Kingdom and His righteousness. In other words make your aim in life to live a Kingdom life right now. In this Sermon on the Mount we’ve been studying, Jesus is telling us how to live the Kingdom life and how to live in righteousness. So today, when you start worrying about the next bill that is due, stop, take a breath and start looking for ways to live the Kingdom life. Yes, you may ask God to meet that need. Jesus told us to pray for our daily bread. Then give thanks for what you have and begin looking for ways to bless others.

Father in Heaven, Thank You for the blessings of Your Word. Thank You for Your provision in our lives this day. Remind us how much You love us. Do not let us forget and help us as we walk out the Kingdom life today. May we be found faithful in trusting You, loving You and loving others. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!