Be Wise As Serpents And Harmless As Doves

Watch out for the wolves!

Matthew 10:16  "Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.

Ephesians 5:15  So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise.

Colossians 4:5  Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

---

The world is not a safe place for your soul, you better watch out for the intense warfare out there for those that want less than the best for your eternal destiny. The world is full of the devil's people that are ready to persuade you to join them on one of the many attractive paths that are leading to destruction.

Jesus gives us two qualities that we need to have, be wise and be harmless.

I have killed a snake or two and I have learned that the snake is very evasive and can get away from his enemy pretty quick. When the wolves are coming I need o avoid them and their tactics to try and persuade me to leave the narrow road.

I have never seen an unpleasant, rude dove, they don't usually inflict very much pain. Living as harmless as a dove requires that I avoid provoking somebody's anger against me, it means that I have to be gentle and kind.

I need to keep my guard up against the devil's tricks and be careful that I live my life full of grace and gentleness to those around me that need to hear the gospel so that I won't turn them away from the truth that they need.

Thank you Lord for your word and for the truth that is there to keep us from harm.

You might like to read: Commands of Jesus blog series.

Related articles

• Leaving a Legacy (getmorestrength.org)

Pray For Laborers

Help wanted - Awesome benefits package, great long term care.

 Matthew 9:35-38   Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

John 20:21 "As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”

---

Jesus had good news to tell to everybody that he came into contact with, he didn't stay home and keep it to himself, he was out there sharing with the crowds. He even taught his message inside the church, after all the good news that he had to share was so different than the message that was being preached in the synagoge that he had to go there too.

There was a lot of concern for the lost sheep, they were everywhere, people that needed the gospel message presented to them. People that know that they can't measure up, people that were tired of legalism, people that needed hope, people that needed purpose. They were everywhere, and they still are, all of those "sheep without a shepherd" are still out there, there is still a lot of work to be done.

There are not very many people doing the work, there are not enough people that are walking the narrow path to heaven and out of those that are following this path there are too many that are not sharing the good news.

We ask you Lord to employ more laborers, may we get serious about the work that you have called us to.

You might like to read: Commands of Jesus blog series.

Related articles

• A Greater Honor (thedailyspurgeon.com)

Beware Of False Prophets And Teachers

They are headed for destruction and the want to take you with them.

Matthew 7:15, 22-23  "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 

22  On judgment day many will say to Me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in Your name and cast out demons in Your name and performed many miracles in Your name.'  23  But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who break God's laws.'

Mark 12:38-40  Jesus also taught: "Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces.  39  And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets.  40  Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished."

2 Corinthians 11:13-15  These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.  14  But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  15  So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

---

The world has never been in short supply of deceivers. Promoters of false teaching have been around since the Garden of Eden when a thin disguise was all it took to bring sin into the world. The father of lies (John 8:44) has been busy for a long time, he has developed disguises that are much better than the one that he used in the garden, I don't think that a talking snake would be a very clever disguise in the year 2010. But that's okay because now he has people that look a lot like God's people to help him out.

Satan has "apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers" just like God has. The "apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers" that belong to God are supposed to equip God's people to resist the devil, their duty is to build up believers to become mature so that they won't fall for the devils tricks. (Ephesians 4:11-14)

I must beware of the tricks of the devil, he will come around disguised as one of God's "apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers" but their desire is to cause me harm and cause to to rebel against God. They look good, they sound good but they are interested in their own gain and in pulling me away from the truth.

Thank you Lord for your love and mercy, I pray that I will always be on guard against the deceiver and his subtle lies.

You might like to read: Commands of Jesus blog series.

Related articles

• The Voice of the Spirit Himself (thedailyspurgeon.com)

Choose The Narrow Way

There aren't very many people on this path.

 Matthew 7:13-14  "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.  14  But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Jeremiah 6:16  This is what the LORD says: "Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, 'No, that's not the road we want!'

---

The path that has the least least amount of traffic on it is the narrow path that leads to heaven. Don't think to yourself that the path needs to be improved, there isn't any reason to make it wider, after all it is more than adequate for the amount of traffic that is using it.

The path is well known, there are a lot of signs pointing out where the path is, it is on all of the good maps, the problem isn't that the path is hidden or hard to find. The problem is that so few make the choice to use this path, this path isn't always safe, it isn't very comfortable, it doesn't have all of the best places to pull over and rest.

Even less people decide to stay on the narrow path for very long. It doesn't take too long before the wider paths that are paved and have bright lights on them tempt the traveler to take a cross road. These well traveled ways are a temptation that is hard to resist, they are so easy, they don't require very much effort or thought, just follow that guy right in front of you.

Luke 13:24  "Work hard to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.

This pilgrim needs to be determined to stay on the narrow path, but I shouldn't go it alone, I need to invite other people to come along with me as I travel.

Help me to remain faithful to you Lord, increase my urgency to pull somebody off of those big paths.

You might like to read: Commands of Jesus blog series.

Related articles

• Seek First God's Kingdom (devotionsfordisciples.com)

Do Unto Others

Let's out do each other with kindness.

Matthew 7:12  "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

Isaiah 1:17  Learn to do good.

Jeremiah 7:5  But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other with justice.

Romans 13:10  Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God's law.

---

What a hugh saving that our country would have if we could all live a lifestyle full of kindness. We could shut down most of the courts and we could get rid of a bunch of the law makers in Washington, how about the size of the police force?

What a big pile of money that we would have to use on more important things if we treated everybody that we come into contact with just as good as if we were treating ourselves.

Christ came to teach us, not only what we are to know and believe, but what we are to do; not only toward God, but toward men; not only toward those of our party and persuasion, but toward men in general, all with whom we have to do.

-Barnes Commentary

If we could learn this simple rule then we could get rid of envy, slander, theft, adultery, and murder and we would become a lot more like our Savior.

Help us Lord to put aside our jealousy and envy and concentrate on treating the other people around us as well as you have treated us. After all you took better care of us than we ever deserved.

You might like to read: Commands of Jesus blog series.

Related articles

• A Greater Honor (thedailyspurgeon.com)

Ask, Seek and Knock

Our relationship with God takes effort on our part.

Matthew 7:7-11  "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  8  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

9  "You parents--if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?  10  Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!  11  So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him.

---

Relationships require a lot of effort to make them successful and my relationship with God is no exception to the rule. Seeking first the kingdom of God is job number one. (Matthew 6:33) How could I grow closer to God without putting in the effort? What other relationship has all of the benefits that my relationship with God has?

I need to be careful that the cares of the world don't creep in and build up space between God and myself.

I need to ask of him like a traveler asks for assistance in finding my destination.
I need to seek with great care for this very valuable property.
I need to knock with perseverance as a beggar pleads for benevolence.

1 John 3:22  And we will receive from Him whatever we ask because we obey Him and do the things that please Him.

Psalms 105:3-4  Exult in His holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD.  4  Search for the LORD and for His strength; continually seek Him.

Help me to understand more about prayer Lord, I need a better understanding of the scriptures on this topic and I need to spend a lot more time asking, seeking and knocking so that I will be receiving, finding and gaining access through closed doors.

You might like to read: Commands of Jesus blog series

Don't Cast Your Pearls To The Pigs

The value of the gospel is unknown to most people.

Matthew 7:6  "Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.

Proverbs 9:7  Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.

Jude 1:10  But these people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction.

---

"I get no respect" the famous line from Rodney Dangerfield could easily be used by God. Some people love to make fun of Christians and show complete disrespect for the gospel message, Jesus referred to these people as pigs. The pigs are a good word picture for the Jewish audience that Jesus was speaking to since they knew that the pigs were ceremonially unclean and they were repulsive to the Jews.

It is difficult to understand somebody being so bad off that we are excused from trying to persuade them to understand the gospel. Most of the Pharisees probably fit into this category of people since they were so self righteous and stubborn that they could not see the value of Jesus message. Most people do not fit into this category and I endeavor to share the good news with almost everybody without excuse.

Matthew 10:14  If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.

Thank you Lord for your gift of salvation, help me to feel the urgency to share the good news more with those that I meet.

You might like to read: Commands of Jesus blog series

Don't Judge

A small fault in our neighbor we see much more readily than a large one in ourselves.

 Matthew 7:1-5  "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.  2  For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.  3  "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?  4   How can you think of saying to your friend, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye?  5   Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.

James 2:13  There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you.

---

Here is an area that requires great caution. We cannot say that we can never judge for any reason, if we did then we wouldn't have any people in our prisons, so we must determine what Jesus meant when he said that we shouldn't judge.

Surely Jesus isn't telling us to close down our courts and our prisons and let civility go away and I am pretty sure that he wants me to judge to discern good from evil. Rather Jesus is referring to our unforgiving and quick to judge on the little things that determine how we treat each other.

Jesus message was an indictment against the Pharisees for they spent all of their time looking around at other people and throwing the law at them when they were no better. Our sin nature wishes to elevate ourselves above all others so that we feel better about our own shortcomings.

We are quick to judge and withhold mercy even though we so long for mercy and forgiveness to be given to us.  If we are quick to forgive and slow to hand out rash judgments then we will attract more people to the gospel message that is all about forgiveness.

Thank you Lord for the forgiveness that you have bestowed on me. Help me to be forgiving and slow to judge those that do me wrong.

Seek First God's Kingdom

You Know That God Will Provide The Rest Of The Stuff

Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.

---

There is no shortage of things to worry about in this world but for those of us that are Christ followers there is a major concern that we need to be interested in. It isn't the typical worry of the average citizen of our planet, it's not about the clothes that we "need" to have or the restaurant that we need to be seen at, it is a far greater concern that is supposed to be on the mind of the Christ follower.

The concern that should occupy our minds should be for the kingdom, Jesus told us that the most important thing in life is to seek first:

1. The kingdom of God- I need to seek to be in the kingdom and then I need to tell others how they can be in it as well.
2. To be righteous- To become interested in His approval, to live according to God's will

We ought to sacrifice everything else, making the other stuff that this world is concerned with of no importance so that we can work for the advancement of the kingdom, which is of greater value than all the world’s riches. God said that he would supplying every other need that we have. (Philippians 4:19)

We were transferred into a different kingdom when we were saved, I need to be concerned with the kingdom of God and allow him to rule over my life, the ruler of the kingdom of darkness should have no say over the way that I live and I should not allow him to weigh me down. (Colossians 1:13, Hebrews 12:1)

Lord Jesus, help me to be concerned with the things that concern you and to let the rest of the stuff become insignificant.

You might like to read: Commands of Jesus blog series

What's In Your Wallet?

Lay up your treasure in the right place.

Matthew 6:19-21  "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.  20  Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.  21  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

1 Timothy 6:17-19  Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.  18  Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.  19  By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

---

Accumulating wealth is a great idea, go for as much of it as you can get, in fact let's be greedy about it. Well that is if you are thinking about the treasure that you are storing away in heaven.

I need to let go of  my earthly treasure and use it to help me accumulate treasure in heaven. I must not be proud of how well I can provide for my needs or place my trust in my earthly wealth, instead I need to be generous and willing to help those that are in need that I have the ability to help. That way my treasure will be stored in the right place to prevent suffering any loss, there isn't any access for thieves and the stock market won't crash, this treasure is made to last.

1 Peter 1:4  and we have a priceless inheritance--an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

Help me Lord to remember that my money belongs to you, help me to know how to use it for your purpose.

You might like to read: Commands of Jesus blog series