BEWARE! (part 2)

When Jesus sent forth the apostles “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” he told them certain things to beware of. The instruction here is specific. Beware of men, in order to be careful we have to be wise. Jesus is instructing the disciples to be wise, because there are men in the […]

When Jesus sent forth the apostles “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” he told them certain things to beware of.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues . . .”

The instruction here is specific. Beware of men, in order to be careful we have to be wise. Jesus is instructing the disciples to be wise, because there are men in the world who will take advantage of your beliefs and use it against you in court. They are going to be insulted in religious places and what they preach will be ridiculed. This happened to them not too long after Jesus ascended to heaven.

We can expect that those things will happen to us at every age of this world. But we need to wise up so that we see these things coming and be able to defend what we believe. Jesus says that we are sheep in the mist of wolves. One thing we should never forget is not who we are, but who He is. He is our Shepherd.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Matt. 23:37 ESV)   Are you familiar with...

These Qualities

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly...

Welcome To Spring

I know, you’re ready for the pollen to go away. But isn’t it a beautiful time of year. Did you catch the equinox? It occurred on Monday, March 20. You can even check out the exact time. Four times every year we know the dates for the precise movement of the sun, or to...

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 ESV) “For God” - The only God, all-powerful, all knowing, without beginning or end, Creator of all things. “So loved” - More than...

Wisteria

I find myself captivated by Wisteria every year at this time. Partly because it was Cathy’s favorite spring time flower. She really like the purple blooms. But we never planted any and neither does Jane have any interest in planting Wisteria. The opening words of an...

Got A Question?

Do you have a question you would love to ask Jesus? What would it be? He was certainly asked a lot of questions. Like the one Peter asked about the future of his fellow apostle, John. Jesus’ answer? “What is that to you? Be faithful to me.” He didn’t always give an...

After God’s Own Heart

David, King of Israel, was described as a man after God’s own heart. I can imagine other biblical characters who would fall under the same category. What about us? Can we come close to that kind of heart? How did David get there? From his childhood he had a deep and...

Groundhog Day

14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was...

Provided

And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21 ESV) Those words spoken by Job need to be pondered by all of us. We came into this world with nothing...

Some Wisdom for the Day

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. (Prov. 29:2 ESV) One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. (Prov. 29:23 ESV) Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath....