Matthew 10:9
As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him.
The call remains.
It hasn't changed.
It may not seem as clear as how it played out between Jesus and Matthew, but the call has not changed.
Jesus still calls today.
He extends it to us and we have the same choices that Matthew did.
Go....
or don't.
Found within the call to follow Jesus is everything we will need to see our way to the end.
First off, the call is to walk with Him, not to strike off on our own, living by our own wits. We've already proven our inability to live life on our own terms.
The call to follow is to simply allow ourselves to be guided daily, in every situation, by Jesus. To let Him direct our decisions rather than us winging it by our own will.
To turn to Him when times are hard.
To enjoy life when everything is sailing along smooth, knowing full well that somewhere around the bend, it will get hard again.
In Matthew 10:16, Jesus tells His disciples...."Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Jesus knows all too well that the world is a dangerous place. People are out to use others, especially those perceived as being weak. It's like in recovery...just because you are moving into this new life of sobriety and following Jesus, the world hasn't changed. There are still those out there who want you to use and fall back into your old ways and life style. There are those out there who want to take from you the precious gift of sobriety. They will say whatever it takes so they can swindle you. Jesus makes it very clear....we are being sent out, but that we should not fear as we undertake this journey. He commands us to be wise....not head-smart wise, but Spirit wise. The Holy Spirit brings to us gift's that enable us to discern and detect when others intend to harm us. The example Jesus gives is very unusual....Wise as SERPENTS and harmless as DOVES. To rely on the fact that He will show us what to say and where to go, even when others are out to destroy us. No matter what happens, we do not fight back as our enemy does (a.k.a. the devil). We do not fight or retaliate in the manner of our enemy nor do we fight on his terms or his turf.
Time and time again throughout the Scripture, I read the words..."Stand still and see the salvation of God, for the battle is not yours but His. He will fight for you." (II Chronicles 19:15). Learn to relinquish control of your life...learn to listen to God daily. Hear Him in your Scripture reading. Hear Him in your prayers. Be aware of the thoughts and words that come to you during your day. God indeed does speak to His children.
Remember: No Vineyard Recovery This Week.
We'll be back on September 14th with Seth Barber as our speaker.
God on you....
mb
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