Matthew 10 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“Look, I am sending you out like sheep unto the wolves, therefore, be as shrewd as serpents and harmless as doves. Because people will hand you over to sanhedrins and flog you in their synagogues, beware of them. You will even be brought before governors and kings because of Me, to bear witness to them and to the nations. But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you should speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, because you are not speaking, but the Rucah of your Father is speaking through you.” Matthew 10:16-20

Children bear the resemblance of their parents. It can be good or bad. Often negative attitudes, or self-destructive behavior are learned from living in a worldly family environment. You never know how much your values are affected by your upbringing until you’re under pressure. It has been said that people are like tea bags: You never know what’s on the inside until you put them in hot water!

Soon after calling His disciples, Yeshua sent them out. He tossed them the keys to the Kingdom, as it were, and said, “Take her for a spin!” He gave simple instructions and faith building challenges. When they came back, they were bragging about how even the demons submitted. Overconfidence is the crown of adolescence.

However, Yeshua told them how serious things would get. Little did they realize that persecution was just around the corner. They weren’t quite so “slap-happy” when they learned that following Yeshua often means entering the Olam Ha-Ba through the door of martyrdom.

There is a reason we study the Bible in community, discuss it, and share our testimonies. We are sowing the seeds of readiness. We are allowing the L-rd to “tattoo” His Word on our hearts and minds, so to speak.

"Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days"--the L-RD's declaration. "I will put My teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their G-d, and they will be My people.” Jeremiah 31:33

Eventually, each of us will be called to give reason for the hope within us. For many, it will be a simple conversation. Others will face life-or-death faith challenges. When that time comes, the faithful will open their mouths and the Ruach will speak from the inventory of Scripture in their hearts. He will literally draw from Scripture that you are storing in your heart on a daily basis. G_d often gives “pop quizzes” at extremely inopportune times for His students…so stay alert and be prepared.

Miles Davis once said, “If it’s not in your heart, it won’t come out your horn.” Be diligent in scripture and prayer. You never know when Adonai will throw you a solo!

~Steve Wiggins, Assistant Rabbi
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Monday, April 29, 2013

 




 

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