Just Doesn’t Fit

Matthew 10: 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.

============

It felt great being baptized in front of the entire church. I acknowledge my declaration of following JESUS in front of a group of those who believed as well. Years later I was asked to become one of the leaders who would spread GOD’s word at a corporation. “What about the people who worship other gods or no GOD, who work for me?” I thought to myself.  I declined.

• I have reasoned my way out of speaking about CHRIST.
• I have thought about the consequences of speaking about CHRIST and chose to go away from HIM.
• I have hidden my relationship with CHRIST so I could “get ahead.”

Foolishly I thought “I” was the one who got me to where I was. I thought it was my wit, drive and determination and I did not want to jeopardize all that I had built up by upsetting those in power. BUT GOD wanted me to act different.

• GOD wants me to acknowledge HIM wherever I am.
• GOD wants me to declare HIS righteousness in front of people, not just in my head.
• GOD wants me to open my mouth and say to others “GOD is my LORD and SAVIOR.”

Trying to fit in caused me to douse my flame for GOD. I mean if I shined HIS light too much then I could be labeled a religious fanatic and lose my job. I lost my job anyway! What a waste. GOD wants me to carry HIM throughout the day.

I don’t mean that I stop important meetings to force people to pray at work. I mean I should go into work ready to share GOD’s great news to those HE sends me. Fitting in is not the quest, finding and feeding sheep is.

• Are you hiding your relationship with GOD in front of people?
• Have you passed up major opportunities to show your relationship with HIM in order to flaunt your wealth?
• Can you stop hiding who you are supposed to be and tell people about CHRIST today?

You are of Great Value

Matthew 10: 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.

============

Everyone else seemed to have some special skill, while I did not seem to have anything “special.” Some were good at sports while others were great writers yet others were incredible thinkers. I went to school with the strong and mighty, brainy and rich, beautiful and liked. I did not seem to have any of the above. Where did I fit?

• There were times I did not feel I had any value.
• There were times I felt everyone else had skills and I possessed none.
• There were times I thought I could never “fit” into the crowd.

Walking through life, I felt afraid to meet people or sit at the “popular” table in fear of rejection. I mean what if they don’t like “me?” GOD says something very different.

• GOD says to me “Do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”
• GOD says to me “Be afraid of the ONE who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
• GOD says to me “Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

“Worth” means I have value to GOD. When everyone around me is losing their heads and blaming it on me, GOD says to me “You are valuable to ME.” HE wants me to hear what HE whispers in my ear and proclaim it from my roof that “JESUS saved me from myself and the world!”

Health is also nothing to worry my head over. HE has that too! HE knows just how to fix my body and HE can heal any ill. GOD has given me a purpose and that is far more valuable than the acceptance any crowd can ever bring.

• Do you feel afraid of the crowd?
• Are you afraid of your job, your wealth or “that” person who is bullying you?
• Can you confess your fears to GOD and ask HIM to guide you to a place of strength?
• Will you accept a life of purpose from GOD so you can drop your fears of life?

Teach Show Declare

Matthew 10: 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!

============

“What do YOU want from me?” has been a common question to GOD when I want something different than HIM. I mean can’t I have my fleet of private jets? “Why does that person get to have those?” is my jealous thought.

• Sometimes I am blinded by what others have.
• Sometimes I am jealous over the rich and powerful.
• Sometimes I point fingers at those in the news who flaunt their wealth in a bullying way.

Grousing at someone else makes me forget my purpose. When I am busy talking about what “that” person is doing or not doing, I am not presenting what I am supposed to be doing, namely following GOD.

• GOD wants me to teach HIS word on a daily basis.
• GOD wants me to show others the way to the Living GOD.
• GOD wants me to place a declaration on a household as either receiving HIM or rejecting HIM.

Now that last one seems a bit harsh but if GOD wants me to extend HIS grace to people and they reject HIS grace, then I am supposed to walk away and shake the dust off of my sandals, in other words, let GOD deal with them. I do not mean place a curse on the people, rather let them believe what they will believe.

GOD does not want forced relationships with HIS people rather willing ones. HE wants an “eyes wide open” relationship with me so I will know what I’m getting into. When I chose to follow HIM, HE is delighted. HE sends me out and says my students or employees are, at best, my equal. I should not be afraid to place HIS declaration on those who accept or reject HIM.

• Are you called?
• Does GOD want to send you out?
• Are you being prepared for something great?
• Can you hear that GOD is saying to you “Do not be afraid?”

Shielded from Hatred

Matthew 10: ²² You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

============

“Get that Bible off of your desk!” was the exclamation from the account manager. At that time I was taking a theological class and wanted to get my studies in before work. I would arrive at 6:30 AM, thinking I was a model employee, instead I was met with opposition. I did not hang out with the fella’s drinking or carousing. Should I have tried to fit in?

• Sometimes I’m face with the dilemma of fitting in.
• Sometimes I am challenged with choosing between following GOD and looking good before humans.
• Sometimes I face the world with my beliefs and I’m met with being outcast and labeled.

I felt like I was on an island, but something within me said “Keep going, it will be alright.” After a while I was moved from that account. I saw my career diminish so I changed jobs. At the next place I ran into a group of people who would openly pray at lunch. I didn’t think this could exist at a company.

• GOD wants me to stand firm so HE can deliver me.
• GOD wants me to stand firm even though people may hate me.
• GOD wants me to stand firm when I am not quite fitting in.

Instead of compromising my beliefs, GOD wants me to stand firm. HE has a marvelous plan for me on the other side of someone’s hatred. “Standing Firm” on GOD’s word is the shield HE gives me to battle hatred. I can place my belief, trust and faith on GOD and let HIM handle my haters!

• Are you hated by someone?
• Do you feel like you are on an island even when you are in a crowd?
• Can you “Stand Firm” on GOD’s word so HE will fight your battles for you?
• Will you put your trust in GOD today?

When They Arrest You

Matthew 10: 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.

============

Wait, what? Is GOD’s expectation that I be arrested for HIM? Does HE expect me to be beaten and flogged for HIM? These were not words of expectation but prophesy. GOD was telling HIS disciples that they would be falsely accused, jailed and beaten as an example to make sure no one else proclaimed JESUS as LORD.

• There have been times when I have been falsely accused.
• There have been situations when I have been the butt of slander.
• There have been circumstances when I did not know what to do or say because I was profiled into a jail.

Extreme examples are what GOD needed then and now. I cannot say it will be necessary to be arrested for HIM, although sometimes HE does use this horrid situation to reach many. GOD told HIS disciples this for a reason.

• GOD wants me to expect things to go wrong in life so I can proclaim HIS name without faltering.
• GOD wants me to know I will be opposed in life so I can be prepared for the opposition.
• GOD wants me to be “Wise as serpents and harmless as doves”, knowing I will face people who do not like me.

Attention by an audience is what GOD wants. HE doesn’t want extremist harmful worship, rather peaceful statements that HE is LORD. Many people are afraid to say this because of money or lust for power. GOD turns to me and asks me to follow HIM in peaceful times and difficult times. I chose to proclaim HIM as LORD!

• Are you ostracized because of your beliefs in CHRIST?
• Do you feel you will be held back because of your boldness?
• Can you ask GOD to fortify your beliefs further so HE will speak through you at the right time?

Not Rejected

Matthew 10: 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.

============

“Come on, let’s go out and witness to people” were words I did not want to hear. I mean why go out and “force” people to believe what I believe, was my thought. Besides, “who am I that they might listen to me?”

• Sometimes I doubt my calling by GOD.
• Sometimes I hide my gifts and talents amongst the safe church people.
• Sometimes “I” do not want to be rejected so “I” hide the most important message.

Rejection feels awful especially when I have high expectations. When I approach someone with the message of CHRIST, I expect them to drop to their knees in tears screaming “I BELIEVE” instead I have been met with weird looks and was once cursed out. This “Spreading the Gospel” thing is harder than it looks.

• GOD wants me to build a community around those who need me.
• GOD wants me to reach out to my neighbor and seek to give them peace, if not for a moment.
• GOD wants me to give the words of peace as a representative of HIM, not me.

Each and every person placed in front of me is worthy of GOD’s redeeming message. I should not be afraid of giving a person “GOD’s peace” no matter how ornery they may be acting. I have to place it in my mind that if the person rejects the message, they are rejecting GOD, not me.

GOD sends me to many. I have to take the challenge out to the masses with love and peace. It will be up to them to accept or reject GOD.

• Are you trying to reach people?
• Do you feel “you” will be rejected so you do not try?
• Can you stop trying to look good before humans and change your mind and heart towards spreading GOD’s message of redemption?

Not Holding Back

Matthew 10: 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.

============

Safe is how I felt when I attended Bible study. Everyone in the room was eager to learn and we enjoyed each other’s time and company. I did not get a sense of competition, back-stabbing or slander from anyone. I could relax.

 

• Being around those who believe in CHRIST is safe.
• Being around those who believe in CHRIST the way I do is safer.
• Being around those who believe in CHRIST and looks like me and acts like me, is safest.

After a while I noticed I was hanging very safe people. None of these people resembled any danger whatsoever. No one hurt me or called me names… safe. BUT GOD wanted something else.

• GOD wants me to take a risk and proclaim this message “The kingdom of heaven is near.”
• GOD wants me to leave “safety” and go where there is turmoil.
• GOD wants me to give freely the gift of salvation that HE has graciously bestowed on me.

When I was around all of the “good” people I noticed I stopped confessing my ills and only focused on learning. Don’t get me wrong, learning about CHRIST is noble, however, why learn? GOD wants me to be balanced. HE desires that I not only learn of HIM, but put it into action.

GOD sends me to people every single day. If I cannot speak directly to them, I can pray for them from a distance. HE has given me gifts and talents that HE expects me to use so HIS message can be heard. I should not hold anything back when I “go.”

• Are you proclaiming GOD’s message to safe people?
• Have you been hurt by the world and are scared to go proclaim GOD’s message to those who need it?
• Can you stop playing it safe and go spread GOD’s message today?