Don’t Let Fear Stop Your Witness
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Matthew 10
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Let The Lord Build The House
It is frustrating to take on a task only to discover that your efforts haven’t achieved the desired results. In today’s passage the Psalmist writs about the futility of putting our hands to things that are done through human reliance rather than Divine providence.
God Prepares Us For The Mission
Preparation time is never wasted time. Whatever it is that we set out to do, the time we spend preparing for it is time well spent. As Christians we have a high calling and a mission that is a matter of life and death. Ours is an awesome responsibility and God gives us what we need from start to finish.
God Sends Us With A Mission And Instructions
We’ve all heard the term “Mission Impossible.” It’s about being sent to do something that seems undoable. As we read God’s Word and discover our mission, the task often seems daunting. But God never gives us an assignment without giving us both the power to do it and the instructions on how to get it done.
It Is Compassion That Drives Kingdom Workers
Why do we serve? It’s because God calls us to love our neighbor. Our faith was never meant to be locked within the walls of a church building. Jesus is our example, and in today’s passage He reminds us of what should motivate our service to others.
The Seed Of The Gospel Takes Root If We Follow Certain Steps
Anyone who tends to a garden, works in a vineyard or is involved with other types of horticulture knows that there are certain steps that must be taken in order to assure a good harvest. Whether plants, fruits, flowers or vegetables, adhering to the correct process is critical. The bible speaks of seed time and harvest. Biblically speaking, we’re reminded that some plant some water, but God gives the increase. If we are to see the harvest of souls that Jesus spoke of when He declared that “the harvest is plentiful”, we must follow the biblical principles laid out in His word.
Spiritual Power Operates In A Repentant Heart
Biblical repentance is about more than “feeling sorry for what was done.” It is admirable to have a sense of sorrow when we have transgressed God’s law. But that’s only the beginning. To repent is to have a change of mind and a change of heart. The person who repents has a desire to never again commit the confessed and admitted act. Repentance is a 180 degree turn to then travel in the opposite direction. It is that kind of mindset and heart beat that allows te power of God to flow through us.
The Greatest Power Comes From Faith In God
The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith in God is one of the most crucial disciplines for the believer today. Faith is the conviction of the things we hope for. Faith is the vehicle by which we are saved. It is what allows us to see the unseen. Faith is what gives us the ability to keep going when everything around us tells us to quit. Faith is what motivated the saints of old to acts of love and obedience. Moses… Joshua, Enoch, Abel, Noah, Rahab, Sara and countless others. Our greatest power comes from God.
God Uses Persecution To Build Up Our Joy
The book of Hebrews refers to Jesus willingness to face the suffering of the cross and His death was because of “the joy that was set before Him.” It was the joy of redeeming mankind and restoring man’s broken relationship with God. From His experience we learn that God can use suffering, pain and persecution to ultimately resound to His honor and our joy. In God’s Word there are countless examples of God causing all that was meant for evil to work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Don’t Fight God’s Plan
Each of us have plans. We have large plans like: getting great high paying job… furthering our education… starting our own business… There’s also smaller plans like how we’re going to spend our weekend… what to have for dinner, or which TV program to watch. from now. We spend a great deal of our lives trying to shape our futures with a focus of fulfilling our wants and desires. But what happens when our plans go against the grain of God’s plans for us? Today’s challenge is a reminder of what happens when we fight was God has for us to do.
Moving Out Of Our Comfort Zone
The call to follow Jesus will often take you to the most unlikely places: to different people groups… to areas of unrest and uncertainty… places that are out of your comfort zone. That’s the place that feels safe, secure, and where you feel in control. Jesus often sends us to places where, if we’re honest, we just don’t want to go. Today Jesus encourages us to leave the comfort of where we are and follow Him “to the other side.”