S - "What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the rooftops." Matthew 10:27.
O - Jesus was teaching his disciples, preparing them for ministry. He was teaching them about who he was. What they learnt from him they were to proclaim, what they knew about Jesus they were to share. They weren't to be afraid even of those who could kill them. Rather they were to be bold, proclaiming it for all to hear.
A - God is still speaking to his disciples today. I am one of them. What Jesus says to me through his word, I am to share. I will help others by taking the truth of who Jesus is, to share the wisdom I learn from his word, and letting others know what he's taught me. I must not accept what so many say, "Keep quiet, that's your opinion, keep your views to yourself." I will simply share. I must not just loudly and rudely shower people with words. I am just to tell them what you are really teaching me about you.
P - Father, thank-you for speaking to me. Help me listen well, put it into practice and encourage others as I share who you are! Amen.
Daily Reading - Matthew 10-11
Matthew 10: 8b You have received without paying, so give without being paid. Father, as I become more like You, and live a life of 'giving', help me to do it only out of a pure heart (one that's to glorify Your name and help others). You gave the greatest of Yourself- Jesus... for me- what could I possibly give that could compare??!!! (Jesus gave up His life, knowing many would still "choose" to not accept the gift He had given- in our place, and though salvation is available to everyone, not everyone chooses His path/yet He still gave freely/ completely/ selflessly.) I love to give- it brings me joy, and though Te Bible says we reap what we sow, help me never to give with an expectancy of 'payment'. I trust as I live for You, You will take care of me- You always have and You always will! Fill me with Your joy, which may be my strength. But i have received this new life- free to me- without payment, may I share and give to others without any greedy motives. May Your life be magnified through mine. I am Yours
ReplyDeleteS - "and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" Matthew 10:38-39
ReplyDeleteO - It seems from this scripture that our worth is aligned to the degree we embrace the cross. Here Jesus says we must take our cross (which acknowledges our personal sin and our personal redemption) and "follow" Jesus. Therefore as I walk through life I must keep befopre me my Saviour - not deviate from the path that He leads me in. But I must also have the consciousness of the death and life of Jesus as it is superimposed in my life, and "take that consciousness up" daily. This is the way to find life.
A - I need to be more intentional and conscious of the centrality of the cross in my life - surrendering through confession of my own personal sin, daily (which is the part I want to "lose", so I can continue to experience the resurrected life of Christ in me. This is where I find true worth and value.
P - Help me to be more conscious of the sinful parts of me, Dear Jesus, which offend and block the true life I know I have in you, as I surrender more and more every day. Amen.
ARE YOU THE ONE!
ReplyDeleteMatthew 11:4 Jesus replied, 'Go back and report to John what you hear and see. 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.
John the Baptist wanted to know if Jesus was THE ONE, a confirmation for him. Jesus certainly was. John must have felt this report of Jesus - heaven to his ears. John had played his part in 'preparing the way of the Lord'. Likewise Jesus goes on to say how John was the Elijah who was to come. There is order. God is a God of order. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. Jesus became our Saviour. He said 'come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest'. God is faithful to heal, faithful to comfort.
Lord help me to be a faithful humble servant.
Thank you Jesus. Amen
Nanny Chris and others,
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you say and I have learnt a lot about John through these verses. I have also learnt that I need to be careful about what I think of other Christians and their Christian walks. I do not know their road. If they are verbalising doubt or are looking for confirmation in their faith it does not mean they are falling away. They know Christ, they just may be having a hard time. Jesus encourages us in v6 'Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me'. That must have been a huge encouragement for John.
Also check out 11:28-30
I have got to know John more through these verses.
Amen.