Welcome to the PoG Blog! As usual our Sunday blog introduces the theme of the week from the morning message at Point of Grace as well as the scripture text for that message.
The primary purpose of today's blog is to open up the conversation and contemplation about all God might be saying through the scripture and the message this week.
Here are the verses from Matthew 10. Jesus is wrapping up the instructions to His disciples as He sends them out! 24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. 34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law — 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. 40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
So what has grabbed you from these words.
I so appreciate how Jesus deals with fear! He doesn't ignore it - doesn't trivialize the problem - isn't naive about it! What He does do is call forth from His disciples a genuine faith in Him and Him alone. With that faith connection they (we) can face anything! With that faith connection we can literally "not fear those who can kill the body but are not able to kill the soul"! The kid's in Mexico really touched my heart! They are "not fearing" those who could kill them as they call their society to repentance and faith in Jesus!
Lord, I long for a faith like that! Lord, I truly desire to be an authentic faithfilled witness in your mission and for your name! Thank you for the high calling to "acknowlege you before others" and "to lose my life for Your sake"! Jesus, you are the One and Only! Amen!
Let us all know what is on your heart and mind!
delton