Day 3
The passage I read was Matthew
10:24-31
You can find that passage here:
My summary of the passage is this:
Jesus says
(paraphrased) that we are not above the teacher, but like our teacher. Likewise for the unbeliever and how they are
like their master (satan). We have
nothing to fear of the unbeliever. What
we learn from Jesus, proclaim it and don’t fear the enemy. He can kill your body (through the
unbeliever) but he cannot kill your soul.
But do fear God, for He has command of your body and soul.
You are
valued far more than birds and God takes care of them well. So don’t be afraid.
As I reflect:
The
persecution I receive for my beliefs is something that not only happens but
should be expected. This passage says
that we (when fully trained) will be like our teacher. In my case, the Teacher is Jesus Christ and
If I am to be like Him, then will I not also receive persecution and perhaps
even death as He also received? They
called him Beelzebub and believed that the things He did were from the power of
Satan. They beat Him, ripped His beard,
cut His back wide open, ran nails through hands and feet, and crucified Him. Have I any right to be angry when someone
becomes angry with my attempts to introduce them to their own need for
Jesus? Seems to me like their anger at
me pales, nay disappears entirely when compared to what Jesus went through for
me. And I should certainly not be afraid
(though this tends to be one of Satan’s tools against me when I’m in the field
of the harvest working). I just need to
remember several things: Greater is He
that is in me that he that is in the world.
Fear is of the enemy, so if I feel fear it is because I am a threat and
the enemy wants me to cease and desist.
I’ll not give him that satisfaction.
The person of God that I disciple after was willing to die to reach
me. I should be willing at the very
least to be persecuted to reach out to others.
I needn’t fear this knowing that the Creator of my very existence is in
charge and cares deeply for me. He will
surely work all things for the good in me because I love Him and I am chosen
according to His purpose.
Trapp said,
“He that fears God need fear none else.”
I love that quote. I think it
hits home with me and hopefully with other believers too. Don’t let Satan hold you back from your
witness and use fear to drive you away from your calling. Fear only God and do what He has asked of
you. Love others, share the good Word.
My response to the Lord:
Lord, too
often the fear creeps upon me and stops me from opening my mouth when I am
talking with someone that doesn’t know you.
I ask for your wisdom and guidance fully Father. I don’t want to push people away from you, of
cause them to hater your followers, but at the same time will we not be hated
for following you regardless? It’s often
hard to discern when to speak and when not to, but I pray that you would build
up and strengthen that discernment which you have given me that I would at the
very least never keep my mouth closed due to fear or human logic overcoming
your calling. May your will be done
instead. For this reason I pray for
courage and a bold heart in the missions field that you would use me to reach
who you will. Lord, speak when you will
through me. Reach when you will through
me. I pray there be nothing found in me
that hinder your use of me for the furthering of your kingdom Father. In your Son’s name.
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