Living Room Study

Matthew 10

“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 Spirit 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 you’re affected until you’re under pressure.

Soon after calling His disciples, Jesus sent them out. He tossed them the keys to the Kingdom 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, Jesus told them how serious things would get. Little did they realize, persecution was just around the corner. They weren’t so slap-happy when following Jesus meant entering Heaven through the door of martyrdom.

There’s a reason we read the Bible in community, discuss it, and share our testimonies. We are sowing the seeds of readiness. We are allowing the Lord to tattoo His Word on our hearts and minds, so to speak.

Eventually, each of us will be called to give reason for the hope within us. For some it’s simple conversation. Others will face life-or-death faith tests. When that time comes, the faithful will open their mouths and the Spirit will speak from the inventory of scripture in their hearts.

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 the Lord will give you a solo.

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins