Reading
SAA Notes
Every good Messiah (anointed King) in the Old Testament always made it a priority to send out teachers to recall the people to Israel’s first love for the Lord. In sending out the 12, Jesus prepares us for the Gospel priority He sets us His Church.
SJA Notes
* Dear Lord God, please show us our need for Your today from Your word.
“Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake.”
This is a hard word from Jesus, a word that resonates through all of scripture.
Choosing to follow Jesus is a hard road. Narrow.
Choosing to walk under God’s sovereign hand is not easy – People will work against the hand that guides you, and so against you.
Choosing to love as God loved us, to forgive, to show forth grace and mercy as we have been shown, joyfulness, bringing peace, patience, kindness – These fruits can be like bitter poison for those around us who are railing against their Creator.
Choosing to obey strange rules like keeping one day in seven set apart, making sure God’s Name is kept holy in our lives, pursuing godliness over wealth and fame and power – This brings us into battlegrounds we might find heart-breaking.
But.
God first chose us.
God first loved us.
God first planned and then brought about our salvation, sending Himself to become curse so that we might have blessing.
Do not be deceived. Choosing to follow Jesus will bring persecution. Because His way is to set yourself against the world and all its trappings. Sin, the Devil and Death will clamor and shake their weapons and bring war.
“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
We need our God with us!
Father, Son and Spirit – Granting us strength to endure, standing firm in Him as foundation.
* God Above,
Please Lord, please open our hearts to hear Your word today.
Thank You for all that You have done and continue to do for us.
Please continue to sustain us, grow us, encourage and exhort us.
Amen.