Give UP Life To Give UP Life - Matthew 10:34-42 - Fifth Week after Pentecost

 

Matthew 10:34-42 NIV

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.”

Give up life to give up life

Jesus didn’t come into this world to settle things among ourselves. Especially if you are thinking of settling political scores between countries or people. He didn’t come to this earth to make things “right” and defeat the power of the Roman Empire over God’s people. That’s NOT peace. That’s more like revenge or getting even with people we disagree with. And in this passage, Jesus makes it clear. But the problem is, our ears want to hear what we want to hear, NOT, what God in Jesus is telling us.

So that begs the question, then, what is peace?

Jesus’ peace is NOT an agreement between the battling or warring powers of this world. It’s way more than that. Jesus’ peace is a peace that settles the ultimate score between sin and death. Jesus’ peace is a peace that settles sin and forgives, and brings new life. Life in the lives of believers in His Kingdom in eternity. Jesus’ peace is way more than what our minds can comprehend.

Let’s take a look at something, I’m sure many of you will recognize, and take comfort in, each week…

Numbers 6:24-26 NIV

²⁴ “‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
²⁵ the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’

Now that’s peace. Think about it. This is usually the last thing said during the worship, by the Pastor, to the congregation, AS Words of God. Words spoken after the corporate confession and forgiveness, at the beginning of worship; after the Pastor delivers a Word from God, in sermon, after an affirmation of faith through a Creed, after the Lord’s Prayer and the prayers of the church, yes, words spoken even after the Holy Sacrament of Communion is received as a gift from God in the body and blood of Jesus, in with and under the bread and the wine, is received. Yet, words spoken before the sending of the worshippers back into the world, from the worship service.

Yes, it’s, for sure, when God has turned His face towards us and given His peace.

So, don’t get mixed up, between peace between nations, or anything else that we desire for our own well-being. This is not a selfish kind of peace, but a peace that passes all understanding. This IS the peace Jesus speaks of, here in this passage of Scripture…

 

Philippians 4:7 NIV

⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This is the Peace of God!

But since many people want a different kind of peace from Jesus, a peace that solves their own selfish personal needs; they don’t like or understand or even want to tolerate the kind of peace Jesus came to this world to give. And that makes people mad! Why doesn’t God do what obviously needs to be done in MY world, to bring ME comfort, and to give ME joy, even at the cost of someone else?

And in this, there is a division of people, and a division of understanding of what real peace actually is.

So, as disciples, and here, even apostles sent, we are called to stand up FOR and be obedient TO, the peace that Jesus brings into this world of sin and evil. EVEN at the turmoil of any conflict that may arise to this world’s common view of some selfish peace making.

We, as disciples, are called to be obedient and faithful to God’s WORD, not our desires.

Following, or even pointing to Jesus may, and probably will, cause divisions with family and friends. Like Jesus life, He was here to give up life to give up life.  Think about that for a moment.

And we too are called to give up life to give up life, in loving God and neighbor, forgiving and serving, God and the “other.”

So, we’re faced with a decision. With a message to give up life to give up life; will we be willing to face into the storm of hatred for the message of peace? Real peace, NOT the kind of peace that smooths all things out and compromises for the comfort of our own selfish needs of power, wealth and control; but rather a peace willing to give up life to give up life.

That’s the cross, Jesus came to bear, and that we are called to bear. Give up life to give up life.

Are you willing?

And in this “Give up life to give up life” – we lose life to find life, or even to give life to a hated neighbor. All as a gift of what God has done through the life, ministry, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Yes! We are called to “Give up life to give up life” for our neighbor as well. Even that guy we hate or disagree with.

As we go into this evil, sinful world, of people in the same kind of struggles as we ourselves struggle; we are called with a message that is BEYOND ourselves. Yet, we must still deliver the message.

What’s that? That we are all in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves, but God came to this world in the flesh and blood of Jesus to deliver us from sin and death, to forgive our sins, and take upon Himself the SIN of this world and the people created, and “Give up life to give up life.”

How’s that? God sent Jesus to give up His life to give up life to us in love, compassion, understanding, SO THAT, we may live with Him as believers and children in communion, now and into eternity. So, when we receive Jesus, we receive life with God forever. Notice the word Jesus uses, “receive.”

To receive, we receive as a gift from God. It’s free. Take it! And respond in the obedience to God’s command to love Him and your neighbor… IN this peace of Jesus.

You are sent into this world as a messenger of God, to declare and to announce this wonderful gift given for ALL people. ALL is ALL… even the enemies, even those with various political standards and views, even with those of varying belief systems or customs. It’s NOT your message. This IS the message of God.

People will choose as they choose. People will believe as they believe. This is NOT up to you to force anything on another person. That is God’s work, NOT yours. You are called to be thankful, joyful, and obedient to the message that you too received and believed.

As a disciple, and a believer, your acts of kindness matter. You are called to live out these acts and to serve even a cup of water to the one in need. Yes, even to the one you may hate. Why? Because that’s why!

Pause and consider the message that God gave to Jeremiah to speak, at a time of turmoil. Many prophets coming before Jeremiah were telling of wars, disasters, plagues and great kingdoms. Doom and gloom! That’s NOT what Jesus Peace is all about. All of the wars, disasters, plagues and great kingdoms power and strength, come out of mankind’s selfish desires for control and power. Yet, the real peace that Jeremiah offers is backed up by a peace that comes from God, that separates our sinful desires, to the love of God through Jesus peace which He, that is Jesus, was coming to bring into this world. A new kind of peace of forgiveness, service and love that is eternal and ever-lasting.

In our daily call to give the Peace of God, we will face dangers, for sure, but God will protect us and guide us and bring us, in the finality of it all, TO, eternal communion WITH Him. How great is that?!

Lord, you have shown me my sin, yet still forgive. I know, and can see, how I deserve the eternal fire, and the damnation for my sin. Yet you came to forgive, to restore, to renew, even me, in my sin, to bring me to a new life with you forever.

As I go into this world, may I likewise proclaim, in word, and in action, this message You give of forgiveness, and new life, to all those you send to me, and that you give to me. May I bear the fruit of which you would have me bear; whatever that fruit may be. You have made it clear, here and in other passages of Scripture, through Your own very words…

 

John 15:5

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

 

This past week I passed another one of those decade marks in age. Whenever I turn over one of the tens digits, I seem to take a break, pause and look back. It was no different this time as well. However, as each tens digit changes, I know that more is behind me than is before me. But, is that really true? If I measure time on the scale of a typical life span of mankind today; sure, it’s true. But, if I measure time another way, I’m just getting started into a timeless eternity.

 

So, it’s easy to judge myself in terms of, have I been obedient to God’s call. Have I even heard God’s call? Have I brought any kind of peace to this world in which God has placed me. Sometimes I think no. Maybe, here and there, is a glimpse of God’s peace, but probably most of the time, I exhibit the kind of peace that is selfish, that brings peace to myself and not to my neighbor. That’s an honest confession for me.

 

So, did I, myself, “Give up life to give up life?”

 

I can see the peace of Jesus and also see how He gave up His life to give up life to all those He loves. And all those He loves is ALL. But what have I done?

 

I attempt to be faithful and obedient, in telling all of the forgiveness and salvation that Jesus offers for ALL. But even in that, how many times have I backed away, in fear of judgment?

 

So, yea, I’m convicted and guilty of sloth or even errors.

 

But I’m not so sure that my weakness even matters in the eyes of Jesus. He knows I’m weak, as I know I’m weak. Jesus knows my weaknesses probably more intimately than I do myself. YET…

 

Jesus has chosen me, even in my weakness and sin, to GO! To GO with the message, He has for me to tell to all those He gives to me day after day. My obedience does not depend on MY goodness. My obedience rests fully in the goodness and grace that Jesus gives to me and all of His disciples and apostles.

 

I am not made good, or righteous or even just by my own goodness. NOPE!

 

 

2 Corinthians 5:21

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

That’s NOT about me. That’s all about what Jesus has done.

 

So, as I reflect back on that tens digit change… I see another kind of change. A change that I celebrate.

 

Earlier in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 is this…

 

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

 

So, I will continue to… “Give up my life… to give up life… to all those God sends to me, each and every day. Yep… even for today… tomorrow… and forever. All in the power and peace of Jesus as He sends me into the fields of this world in which I live. For as many tens’ digits as He wishes me to have. And in all of this… Thanks be to God!

 

Enjoy this YouTube Music Video…

“Even In My Old Age”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeaDNylMvuo&list=RDIeaDNylMvuo&start_radio=1

 

Tornado! - Matthew 10:21-33 - Fourth Week after Pentecost

 

Matthew 10:21-33 NIV

²¹ “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. ²² You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. ²³ When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

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.

Tornado!

Remember last week? Jesus sends His twelve apostles out into the world. Sends them with very little. Yet, this week we hear the warnings. As these apostles, and us disciples of today, GO… we can expect that the message of the Gospel will cause societal divisions, yes, even divisions in family. At first glance it may not make sense. Afterall the Gospel is the Good News of God’s forgiveness and salvation. But many won’t agree. Salvation can’t be free! And many will disagree with the message that salvation is a gift. It just can’t be true. You are not truthful with this Gospel message.

Following Jesus just may lead to hatred from people in this world. Jesus can’t be the answer. Jesus can’t be the Savior. And for you to proclaim so, is a lie told. At least in the eyes of the unbeliever.

This lie may bring persecution, either physical or mental. But remaining obedient to Jesus’ call to go into the fields is what matters.

If people won’t listen to the Gospel message; move along. This advice from Jesus is some harsh stuff here. But the message that the apostles bring, is for all the people of this world, even if they are beginning with the Jewish people at first.

As disciples of Christ, we need to be humble. Humble before God and one another. When we attempt to understand and listen to Jesus, we must realize our need to learn, and grasp what God tells us. In days of old, God spoke to people through the prophets, but today we can open the pages of our Bible and hear and learn from Jesus. What a wonderful gift this is. So be sure to take time, each and every day to open the Word, seek God’s guidance and understanding, SO THAT, we can live out God’s Will in His Way. In this we are obedient and faithful. In this we know that God is God and we are not. In this we can commune with God and be His child. Humility is a wonderful thing!

But know and understand this, when we align with Jesus, we will be opposed by the evil and the evils of this world. Satanic power is real and can’t stand what God has sent Jesus to do for His Children. Satan will hate you as much as he hates God. So, be ready, to turn all of your trust and faith over to the protection of God. You can’t defeat Satan and evil… Only God can do this.

But even with this evil world and the evil people and powers within it, we need not fear. God has your back.

 

Psalm 27:1

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

What God commands us to say, say it. Don’t be afraid of telling the word of God’s forgiveness and grace to all the world. Some people will hate your message. Your message is a gift from God, not something some people want to hear. Many folks only want to hear how they themselves, or their works, or their riches, power, or influence is what saves them. It doesn’t work that way. We need God.

Don’t fear mankind. Fear and honor God and God alone. He is your salvation.

Look around and see how God cares for creation, for animals, and for you and me as well. Remember that whole “Daily Bread?” God gives us all we need. Completely. There is more to all of this than what this world holds. Way more!

As a Child of God, you can rest assured that God loves you and has your back, even in death.

When we go into the world to tell of the Gospel, we are also telling people that God will turn their lives around. We are showing people their sin. And God moves in His Law to spin sinners away from evil, to face Him for grace and forgiveness. This message can be a dangerous message for people who live in sin and don’t want to change. Change is difficult and can send people into a wild defensive posture. Expect it. But the message is NOT yours. This message IS God’s message. And as tough as this message of sin is, we must be obedient to God’s command to speak HIS Word and not our words. After all, it’s God who grants the forgiveness, even for each of us as well, even as we speak God’s Word, we are convicted in our sin as well.

 

Hear this and grasp the comfort…

Psalm 91:1-4

¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

³ Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Even though we hear harsh warnings from Jesus, we can obey His will. Sin does not win out. We are not slaves to this evil world, even though we sin, Christ has freed us from the power of sin and defeated death, SO THAT, we can live with Him and under Him in His Kingdom, now and forever.

This past week, I experienced several Tornado Warnings. Warnings that came out in the early hours of the morning. First, my phone goes into that annoying alarm mode, detailing the possibility of a tornado in the area. Then I hear the city sirens wailing outside. Followed by my wife, coming to wake me from sleep! So, next we gather together the dogs and the cat and traipse down into the basement. Of course, the cat has his own ideas of taking cover and won’t comply with any wishes we may have. I take along my phone, of course, and set it up to listen to the local Cincinnati weather person reporting about all the tornado warnings in the area.

There is fear of what could happen, yet caution, to take cover of what may or may not happen. Finally, the all clear is given and we go back to bed, or in the case of my wife looking through some family papers she discovered in the basement. She is one to stay up late anyway.

Back to bed, and what happens? After about 30 minutes or so, another tornado warning is issued and the city sirens go off once again. What do I do? Irritated with this whole process, I lay in my upstairs bedroom and make the decision to “forget about it!”

Was it good for me to do this? Caution says no, but my impatience says okay.

This passage of Scripture from Matthew 10 makes me think of the love of God in Christ Jesus. Jesus warns us about what to expect as we go into the world to proclaim how sinful and evil we, you and I can be. Jesus places the LAW right before our eyes and we are convicted just like those guys at the social gatherings who hold signs of “Burning in Hell” do. Yet the flip side of what Jesus tells His apostles, and today disciples, is that we can be sure that we will be rejected. Sort of like sirens going off, and phones blaring and weather personnel telling us to go to our safe place.

But where is “safe?”

Our world is not safe. We have tornados, wars, hunger, poverty, accidents, illness and death all around us. We have people that steal, murder, lie and cheat; all around us. Our world is NOT safe!

Yet, here we are, sent to proclaim to evil people that this world is NOT all there is. Well, that’s just something that may be too far of a stretch for anyone to believe. And on top of all that we proclaim that we all fall short, and we all sin and are evil. Talk about making your neighbor mad at you!

But like the weather person, telling us to go to our “safe place.” God does offer a Gospel message in this “Safe Place” with Jesus. Jesus has overcome the evil of sin and overcome the power of death, FOR us, SO THAT, we may have a “SAFE PLACE.” Yes, a SAFE PLACE with Him forever in His Kingdom.

And it’s this message that we GO into the fields of this world to all the people in desperate need, to proclaim what God has already done.

God takes us and spins us around, even as we are in the midst of our sin, to show us His forgiveness and life with Him forever. And that’s not something we can do on our own.

So, as we GO! Even in the midst of repeated warnings, don’t ignore what Jesus sends us to do… not even when the message of safety is irritating for the second, third, fourth or maybe even fifth time in the middle of the night.

How can I not re-iterate my Confirmation Verse spoken over me by Pastor Bergdall as he lay his hands on my head…

Psalm 27:1 NIV

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

Listen in obedience to the command, the warning, and GO out into the fields of this world to proclaim… The Kingdom is near… Jesus is here… the Holy Spirit is with us… God is at hand… today… tomorrow… and forever… Thanks be to God!

Hear now and be inspired by my favorite song that reminds me of my Confirmation Verse, Psalm 27:1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsQzeBKKIFY&list=RDtsQzeBKKIFY&start_radio=1

The Sending - Matthew 9:35-10:20 - Third Week after Pentecost

 

Matthew 9:35-10:20 NIV

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

² These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. ⁶ Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. ⁷ As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

⁹ “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— ¹⁰ no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. ¹¹ Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. ¹² As you enter the home, give it your greeting. ¹³ If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. ¹⁸ On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰ for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

The Sending

Jesus’ message and teaching for His day and today, is to all the people. He doesn’t limit His message, teaching, healing and grace just to certain individuals or groups of people.

This was prophesied in Isaiah…

Isaiah 9:1-2 NIV

9 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

² The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.

 

Jesus, would of course, teach, in the synagogues. This was a center for the Jewish people to learn and worship. But Jesus’ teaching reached beyond the Jewish nation as well. And Jesus would make it clear that God was here and now, to draw ALL people to Him in forgiveness and salvation. Yes, Jesus would make it clear that He was the Messiah and the Kingdom of God had come through Him into this world.

 

But, would we be able to hear this message?

As Jesus moved about the crowds, He saw the need. And not only did He see the need, He had love and compassion for the people. Jesus loves us and cares for us and comes to us to heal us in more than just body, but spirit as well. It’s amazing to me that He shows and gives a love that transcends the here and now, and gives us a forever, in His Kingdom with Him.

 

And as disciples of Jesus, we are also sent to emulate His compassion and love for one another. We are to hear and see Him in action, so that, we too will love one another, in action.

 

This is the way Jesus trains His disciples then and today. Love and compassion, backed up with action. Not just words, but love for people in horrible situations, that can truly help them. With this, the world knows Jesus and his disciples love. You can’t be a phony-bologna, just talking the words. We are called to “be real.”

 

And in this “being real,” we are called to Go out into the field of the needy people in actions of love, healing, teaching and compassion. It may get ugly at times, but being a disciple of Jesus is not about ease for self. And as we go, we pray, for help, guidance and the wisdom to understand the will of God in our going.

You see how Jesus calls His disciples to Him? Jesus is intimate and close to those who are close to Him. Jesus makes this call personal, both individually and as a group of twelve men. And in this intimate call of love and caring, Jesus grants these men the power and authority that they will need to carry out what Jesus is next going to send them to do.

And Jesus calls them, apostles. So, what’s the difference between an apostle and a disciple? The apostle is chosen by Jesus to go on a specific mission as directed by Jesus. A disciple is also sent, but a disciple is a follower of Jesus, paying attention to Jesus’ teaching, learning from Him and hearing His Word. There are many disciples, but fewer apostles.

Jesus sends the apostles out to the Jewish nation only. Later, Jesus would come to include Samaritans as well. So, who are Samaritans? They are a mixed race of people, Jews who married into Gentiles. That’s why they were so hated by the Jews and the Samaritans hated the Jews as well. Two peoples at odds with one another. Go figure! Sounds pretty typical by today’s standards as well. We sure love to hate one another. But God doesn’t exactly see things this way.

But even with the command to go to the Jewish people, Jesus sends the apostles to the “lost sheep.” So, even in manners of like race, there is a division as well. These “lost sheep,” are the people who have strayed away from God.

And the message? The Kingdom of God is nearby. How’s that? Well, the Messiah, Jesus, had come to earth to save His people. Get yourself ready to be spun around to face God!

Then Jesus tells the apostles to do what they have witnessed Him doing. Heal, cast out demons, have compassion and love all of the sinners… the “lost sheep.”

Apostles sent. Sent with little means, but with great means as well. How’s that? Well, taking little along, brings forth a great dependence on God’s provisions. God has given the apostles then and ourselves today all we need to live.

Remember the “Daily Bread” of the Lord’s Prayer. Well, that giving of “Daily Bread” includes everything we need to live life here now and into eternity with God.

Once again, the theme seems to be GO! GO where you are welcome and leave where you are rejected. Seems awful simple. Yet in reality, it gets complicated.

When you arrive, be compassionate and loving. Greet one another with the love God has given you, so that, you give that same love to those you meet. And that’s for each and every person. That gets tough, when the people reject you. But, do it just the same. When you are rejected for giving the love of God that God has freely given to you, well then, move along. God doesn’t send us out to brow-beat people.

Don’t get all wrapped up in judging those who refuse you. This may not just be “their time” yet. Their time may come later or not at all. That’s not up to you to get all wrapped around the wheel with.

And this sending comes with a truthful warning. You will be rejected. Your feelings will be damaged. But remember, this is not about you. This is about obedience to the command from God to GO!

So, don’t even worry about what you can say to convince those who reject you. It’s you they reject, sure, but it’s also the gift of the grace of God that they leave behind. So, if any words need said, let the Holy Spirit speak through you and move along.

We are called by God to obedience. We are called by God to GO and do what He commands. So, act out in response to what God has done for you, in love towards your neighbor. And you neighbor includes even those you don’t like or disagree with or are appalled by. God doesn’t “sugar coat” His message.

God draws us to Himself and makes us one with Him. What a joy this is! So, shout about it to all the world. Shout it out loud!

There’s a whole world out there filled with demons and evil. We are called, like the apostles to GO out into that world, with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and witness to people, just like you and I, that are sinful and in need of forgiveness and salvation. That’s something that God did for His Children through Jesus. So, GO, and tell all you see day after day, what God has done FOR you and FOR them as well. Some will hear, some will not, some will turn to God later on, some will run away. That’s just how it is. Yet the offer from God stands… today… tomorrow… and forever.

This past week, I have spent a bunch of time on a small QRP radio. That’s a radio that only uses about 5 watts to send out messages. This radio uses CW or Morse Code and only on one band of frequencies, that is the 40-meter band.

So what?

When this radio works, I GO out into the airwaves to contact like enthusiasts using Morse Code to make contacts, to greet another soul in this world with good-will and a message of “Best Wishes.”

I GO without much power or prestige. I GO with a simple antenna. I GO with a small radio to send greetings. I don’t expect much. I know my contacts will be few and far between, and only at certain prime times of the day. But I GO. And in the GOING, I find joy.

Likewise, as you go to work, to school, to family and friends, GO knowing that God has given you all you need to GO. And even when it gets hard to reach out, even when you fail, know that God is with you, giving you all you need to GO.

In the GOING, you will see God, in others, in your struggles, and by your side; as you GO!

So, GO loving God and Neighbor. That’s why…

Thanks be to God!

Permit me to Geek out a bit… I listened to this favorite of mine, the “CQ Song.”

Thinking of sending 73… meaning “Best Wishes” or “Best Regards”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52NGdr1QE7k&list=RD52NGdr1QE7k&start_radio=1