Musing – Who was Jesus Sending Out in Matthew 10?

 Hebraic Musing – Who was Jesus Sending Out in Matthew 10?

Who was Jesus talking when He said this?  “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.  On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.” Matthew 10:16-18 NIV     Was He also talking to us?

Who is sending?          A - Jesus himself!      Who is He sending?     A - Us, not the other person(s).
What can you expect? A - You will be like sheep among wolves, so be shrewd and innocent and be on guard.
What will happen?      A - You will be arrested, beaten and brought before the authorities.
Why?                           A - To be a witness to the non-believers. Why? Because Jesus said so. There’s more…!

When that happens, how am I to respond?  Jesus anticipated your question so He tells us in vs.19-20 “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, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”  Unfortunately, a recent Barna survey claims only 25% of Christians know what the “Great Commission” means!  

Jesus did not say “if” they arrest you; He said “When”!  And He told us to worry not!  Then Jesus gave us an important promise – “you will be given what to say” by the Holy Spirit.  So be patient because we know God is never early, nor is He ever late; He’s always Just In Time.  God invented JIT!

Is this message designed to “make friends”?   The world tells us to make friends; but Jesus’ priority is to get souls into His Kingdom.  In fact Jesus knows that making friends is not the priority and directly says so.   “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.  All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Mt.10:21-22   Yes, Jesus did make it clear that “ALL men will hate you because of me.”  These are harsh words.  On the other hand, how important is your comfortable life on earth compared with eternal salvation for your neighbors whom you are commanded to love?

The challenge to avoid the worldly lifestyle requires that recognition of Jesus be put in perspective and He tells us so in v.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.”  Let’s keep our devotion to our LORD and Savior Jesus in perspective; there ain’t nothing more important.

We like to preach love and peace, but Jesus says in v. 34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”  Matt.10:34   Where else do we hear of Jesus and a sword?  “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword…” Heb.4:12

Why has this message become much more important recently?

The Progressive agenda in America is attacking our unique God given rights to Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.  We are under attack methodically right out of the Marxist playbook.  Churches in America gave their right to operate to the IRS years ago with 501c3 tax deductibility.  How have our church fellowships been affected by “Executive Orders” & “Mandates” recently?  We pray for a Great Awakening so America can get back to God; BUT what if that does not happen?  When does God say “Enough”?  What if the nation’s ungodly ways persist and churches and Christianity face serious persecution? 

Points to ponder

How many people do we encounter who are destined to Hell?
So what’s the most loving thing you can do for your neighbor?

It’s about winning souls for God’s Kingdom; it’s not about winning arguments or making friends.

Are we prepared to stand for righteousness WHEN (not if) persecution comes?
Christians, what are you afraid of?   

Are you prepared to open your home as a House Church for fellowship survival if necessary?

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”  Matt.9:37

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      October 26, 2021
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”  Weekly “Hebraic Musings” http://insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com/

Musing – What Does a Wise Man Do when He Sees a Problem?

 Hebraic or Prayer Musing – What Does a Wise Man Do when He Sees a Problem?

Solomon, a man known for his Wisdom, had a serious problem back in about 1,000 BC.  He prayed and the LORD explained the problem.  “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people,…”  2 Chronicles 7:13 NKJV   Do we have problems like that today that the LORD may have allowed?  Here are a few recent happenings we may not like, but they are happening around us and becoming our “Woke” American way of life:*  

Statues & History being deleted; Founding documents declared “harmful”; Divisiveness & Fear; Disregard for Biblical morality; Christian persecution; Watered down & sold out “Christian” churches; Promoting One World Government; Censoring Free Speech (by News media, Education system, Social Networks); Disrespecting lives of babies & elders; Eroding of Liberties (Mandates, Passports, Gun control); Voting Corruption; Inflation with taxes & rising debt; Politicizing the Military; Buying votes & power with Free Stuff; Buying of Politicians (So Government now run by tech giants, billionaires & shadow figures, but not “of the people”); etc.   

We need to look carefully at the solution or actions steps the LORD gave to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 7:14 to resolve the dilemma.  Read God’s answer thoughtfully with introspection. 

 “if” – This is part one of  “If, then” logic.  The “if” needs to be completed before part two can happen.  So…

 “My people who are called by My name” – Is He addressing you?  Do we “Christ”ians identify with His name, and think of ourselves as sons & daughters of God and claim Jesus Christ as our LORD?   Then the LORD owns us and calls us “My people”.

“will humble themselves” –  Do we Americans tend to be a proud folk?  “Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’” 1 Peter 5:5   Why does God’s Word have to deal with “humble” and “humility” over 50 times?

“and pray” – The KJV mentions “Pray” and “Prayer” over 400 times.  How important is “Prayer” to Almighty God who really wants us to talk to Him and for us to be listening to Him?  “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36  WOW!   That command is directly from our LORD, Jesus Christ!

“and seek my face” – Are we prepared to look Almighty God in the face?  Even the OT men of God were afraid they would die if they saw Him “face to face”!  “I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offense.  Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” Hosea 5:15

“and turn from their (our) wicked ways” – Peter concluded his message in Acts with – “When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”  Jesus was to turn people from their wicked ways, but now He left the responsibility to us, with help from the Holy Spirit!

“then” – This is the second part of the “If, then” logic which can only be expected if the “If” part is completed.

“I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” – Yes, He will answer then.

Points to ponder

Every word in God’s Word is a word worth pondering.

If Our Nation is in Trouble; What Do We Have To Do First?

The Loving Creator God of the whole universe wants us to talk with us!
What a privilege!  So call on Him, He’s waiting for your call.  See Jeremiah 33:3.

♫  “Humble Thyself In the Sight of the Lord And He shall Lift You Up, Higher and Higher, And He …  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      October 19, 2021
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”    Weekly “Hebraic Musings”     InsightsByYosef.blogspot.com/

*  Copied from Sept.21, 2021 Prayer Musing – Are We Suffering from “Normalcy Bias”?

Musing – What Might God’s Plan Be for Us?

 

Hebraic Musing – What Might God’s Plan Be for Us?

How many times have you heard someone confidently proclaim that good things are in store for them?  And their proof verse is the LORD’s declaration in Jeremiah 29:11  “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” NIV  And the next verse, 12, also sounds good. “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”  BUT they stop there expecting a blessing right around the corner.

So it sounds like good verses to rely on; BUT what does it mean in context?  Verse 10 before it says “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.”   Uh Oh!  Fulfillment of the Lord’s plan does not go into effect until 70 years from now!!!   Keep reading verses 12-14.   “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”    That was certainly not the “Plan” Jeremiah or any of us are hoping for!

A little later, Jeremiah needed to talk to the LORD, so the LORD God provided Jeremiah with His phone number.  “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” So Jeremiah 33:3 is God’s phone number.  Call Him, He’s waiting for your call.

The Lord had early plans for Jeremiah.  Might He also have plans for you?  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”  Jeremiah 1:5

Isaiah 6:8 contains another favorite Biblical statement that we might glibly spout without full understanding.  “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I.  Send me!’”  What did Isaiah agree to?  He had to go and remind the people they had calloused hearts and dull ears, etc.   When Isaiah asked  “For how long, O Lord?” the Lord answered  “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged, until the LORD has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken.”  Jer.6:11-12  That was a challenging message to have to deliver to the people; not good news! 

 

Esther had to make a difficult decision; her Uncle Mordecai encouraged her with “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

 

When we ask the Lord to use us, are we ready to do the heavy lifting?  To say the challenging words?   To reveal to them the bad news?  To tell people what they do not want to hear? 
What price might we have to pay in order to be the Lord’s messenger?

How important is it to read “good sounding promises” in context?

And let’s not forget that we are more than conquerors.  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Points to ponder

Will God’s plan(s) always be welcome in our short term way of thinking?

Does it take faith to give God’s ultimate plan time to work itself out?

The Loving Creator God of the whole universe wants us to call on Him,
He wants to talk with us as often as we want!  What a privilege!

Call on Him, He’s waiting for your call.

♫  “What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
        What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!.” ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      October 12, 2021
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”    Weekly “Hebraic Musings”     InsightsByYosef.blogspot.com/

Musing – Why Does the Bible Recommend Praying in Groups?

 

Prayer Musing – Why Does the Bible Recommend Praying in Groups?

Advantages of Group Prayer over Private Prayer – Praying together in groups increases trust and closeness with spouse, with family and with our Brothers & Sisters in the LORD:   Intimacy is built on trust, and trust is built on how we respond to being vulnerable with each other.  Praying together helps us show and receive trust that strengthens the bonds of intimacy in our relationships.  Prayer changes things.   It also changes people!

Even if participants in Group or Public Praying are hesitant at first, it can still be a blessing and encouragement to fellow Christians.  In a small group of two or three, prayer blesses and encourages; but it also binds Christians together more closely.  It causes them to be more open and even accountable to one another.  What church couldn’t use more encouragement, openness and accountability?

Group Prayer has unique benefits – What happens when Christians are in one accord?  “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” Acts 1:14 NIV   What would happen if today’s Christian Churches were “all joined together constantly in prayer”?   The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost and the Church was birthed.  “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit…” Acts 2:1-4 NIV

Deuteronomy 32:30 says that when one joins to another in prayer the second one not just doubles the efficiency but the LORD makes it 10 times effective!   “How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight…”   Christians are to grow in their faith by being in a community of believers. "Lone Ranger Christians" are out of place in both the body of Christ and in a local body of believers.  

We in the body of Christ complement one another.  Paul's analogy compares our bodies to the body of Christ by demonstrating the need for the multiple functions of body’s parts.  The analogy starts with 1 Corinth.12:12 “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ.” and v.27 “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

We are called to pray with and for one another – “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”  James 5:16

The great theological book of Hebrews warns us “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Heb.10:25  Do we need to “encourage one another?   Do we “see the Day approaching”?

Classic Group Prayer Examples – Jesus told us to join with others in prayer.  “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” Matt.18:19 

In the familiar 2 Chronicles 7:14, the LORD told Solomon what to do if there is trouble in the land.  Call for unified prayer and “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  Not just a someone; but ALL people called by His name (who call themselves “Christ-ians”).

Points to ponder

What church couldn’t use more encouragement, openness and accountability?

Does the “Normalcy Bias” and need for a “Great Awakening” call for Group Prayers?

Are you/we involved in Group Prayer like those that started the prior “Great Awakenings”?*

When will serious Group Prayer begin?    When will the need be recognized!!!

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matt.18:20

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      October 5, 2021
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      http://insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com/

*    The Power of Group Prayer played a big role in the “Second Great Awakening”.  In New York City alone 10,000 people gathered together daily, even left work to pray; happening nation-wide.