"If you cling to your life, you will lose it;
but if you give your life up
for me, you will find it."
Matthew 10:39
but if you give your life up
for me, you will find it."
Matthew 10:39
My Take Aways
Something Old:
Losing your life for the life Christ intended for us to have it worth it.
It is hard to say no to your nature.
The Gospel made simple, Matthew 6:12
Repent of your sins and turn to God.
He that findeth his life shall lose it: he that loseth his life for may sake shall find it.
Lose:
to put out of the way entirely, abolish, put an end to, ruin, render useless
Find:
come upon, hit upon, to meet with, to see, learn, discover, understand
Something New:
Matthew 10:5
Jesus told the disciples to go only to the people of Israel-God's lost sheep. God is still wooing His beloved Israel.
Something to Do:
Help me Lord to discover afresh today the life you have for me.
29 Comments:
Wendy,
I prayed for you and your family today. I hope the return of your son was a good reconciliation for both of you! I also am praying for the trial you and your family are facing right now. Give it over;
"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30.
Today one of the headings was "Jesus sends out 12 Apostles" so I had to look up the difference between "disciple" and "apostle".
Here is a definition of disciple (Easton's Bible Dictionary):
A scholar, sometimes applied to the followers of John the Baptist (Matthew 9:14), and of the Pharisees (22:16), but principally to the followers of Christ. A disciple of Christ is one who (1) believes his doctrine, (2) rests on his sacrifice, (3) imbibes his spirit, and (4) imitates his example (Matthew 10:24; Luke 14:26,27,33; John 6:69).
And here is one for Apostle (Faussett's Bible Dictionary):
("one sent forth".) The official name of the twelve whom Jesus sent forth to preach, and who also were with Him throughout His earthly ministry. Peter states the qualifications before the election of Judas' successor (Acts 1:21), namely, that he should have companied with the followers of Jesus "all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among them, beginning from the baptism of John unto the day that He was taken up, to be a witness with the others of His resurrection."
There is also an explanation of Paul as an apostle, but for the sake of today's reading, I am not including it here.
Matthew 10 is a tough chapter for me. As I shared a couple of days ago, this chapter has in it a lot of the "between times" that scare me.
* I am sending you out as sheep among wolves (Mat. 10:16)
* You will be handed over to courts, flogged with whips (verse 17)
* You will stand trial because you are my followers (verse 18)
* All nations will hate you(verse 22)
* You will be called worse things than "Prince of Demons" (verse 25)
* Don't be afraid of those who threaten you or want to kill your body (verses 26,28)
* I came not to bring peace but a sword (verse 34)
* If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine (verse 38)
Yuck! What a picture! I am not only selfish Wendy, I am a wimp! I read the Gospels and cry over what happened to Jesus, and I read Acts and tremble at what happens to the apostles! I think "I don't have the strength to be a follower!"
Then I pause....and a still, small voice says "but I do..."; "My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). And then my attention is focused on different aspects of this chapter:
* Don't worry...God will give you the right words at the right time (verse 19)
* Don't be afraid... the time is coming... when everything will be revealed (verse 26)
* Don't be afraid... they cannot touch your soul (verse 28)
* Don't be afraid, you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows (verse 31)
* I will acknowledge (you) before my Father in Heaven (verse 32)
* you will surely be rewarded (verse 42)
"So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick" (Luke 9:6)
Let the same be said of me...
Karen, Basel
Good morning gigs.
I love reading all these verses about healing. I pray that our faith will be increased.
Wendy I love your honesty about your life. Be encouraged sweet sister.
Many times I've felt like I was the only one who made mistakes and did things wrong. I've always felt like the worst Christian. I'd feel bad because I don't feel as far and strong in my walk with Jesus as others are who haven't been saved as long as I have.
I've fallen into a deep pit of depression. Last night I took an overdose of pills. I took five melatonin pills but to me it felt like I was taking too many because I think you're only supposed to take one and I took that many because of being so depressed. Sometimes I feel like I just want to sleep and forget about everything.
Jacque about your question from yesterday about demons. I believe that if others were around they would have heard the demons speaking. Today people, including Christians, can be possessed by demons. I have a close friend and she and her husband have a deliveranc3e ministry where they help people become delivered from demons. I went through prayer and deliverance with them for issues I had been dealing with for many years. I was one who, even last year, tried to cut myself several times and for years talked about wanting to end my life. I read a really good book about deliverance from demons that gave many examples of people being delivered called Pigs in the Parlor by Frank Hamond.
If you're interested you can go to www.i-61ministries.org and read testimonies of people who have been delivered.
Jennifer Renee,
I do not know the depth of what you are going through. Nor can I imagine it from this side of the computer screen. But whatever it is, my prayer for you is that God will give you the strength to endure. That you will wait it out until God calls you home in His own time. He must have a purpose for you here still. It reminded me of what I read in Beth Moore's Living Beyond Yourself study yesterday morning. The topic is joy. She said that whatever our circumstances may be on earth we should be joyful because our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Our life here is but a vapor, we have all of eternity to bask in the glory of the One who paid for our sins. (((HUGS)))
Thanking God for the truth in your message today Wendy. We all relate!
Jacque, one of the things I've been learning about deliverance ministry (casting out demons) is that if conventional "medicine" does not help it is likely that it is demonic. Just want to share with you and the group that my husband Steve was addicted to pornography since he was in Junior High School. Of course he tried everything to be free but always failed and ended up with more and more shame, esp because he was a Christian. He was set free finally this year through deliverance ministry and he will be the first to tell you "it was a demon". When they prayed the demons out he was literally on the floor, dry-heaving, hands burning, etc. All I can say is he is a changed man-and praise God! When someone can be released from an addiction immediately, it was demonic. Just google deliverance ministry and you will learn much. I have been prayed through it also and I know I have freedom from things such as spirit of grief, etc.. Demons cannot read our mind so we have to speak to them to leave in the name of Jesus outloud. We have a lot more specific information I can share sometime when I see you. Hope this helps. The best part is that Jesus gave us the power and authority to do this. Blessings to all.
Wendy and Jennifer Renee, I'll be praying for you both. Hang in there! What did Jacque say yesterday? Cling!
Karen, I agree completely with you. Sometimes this life just seems too hard and scary and then reading about Jesus' not only acknowledgment of that, but promise of it, makes it even scarier to me, but knowing that He went through it, too, helps. Knowing that we don't have to face any of it alone is even better, and sometimes that's just what makes a day seem bearable. I can't imagine going through any of that REALLY bad stuff - but I'm sure we're all going to have those days, in one way or another. Trying to get ready in the only way I know how - by staying close and learning more scripture and learning more about Him so that I and my family is as ready as possible when those yucky times come.
Time for school! Hope today is a beautiful, not yucky, day for all.
Sweet Wendy, I love your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Thank you once again for sharing your life with us...for "losing" it before us so that we can "find", discover and understand truths from God's Word.
I underlined so much of todays reading, but two verses I want to highlight are: “Jesus… returned… to Nazareth, his hometown.” Mark 6:1; and "Your enemies will be right in your own household!" Matthew 10:36.
Just makes me think of the difficulty in witnessing to family. Jesus was not welcomed warmly in his hometown. He was scoffed (vs 3) and few believed (vs 5). It's so difficult when those we love most don't accept or receive Christ for themselves. It's hard when our "enemies" are in our family. That seems like a harsh word, yet sadly I'm sure there are many who live that truth.
Today, I want to take away Matthew 10:31, and remember how valuable I am to God.
Wendy, I just got my hair cut too...SHORT! :) Also, it's thanksgiving weekend for us northener's this weekend. I'm so excited because that means my son is coming home from university for the long weekend! :) I'm thankful for you Wendy and for how the Lord is using you to draw me back closer to Him.
Hugs,
Joy
I totally can relate to your heart today Wendy because 2 days ago at work I behaved poorly too. I was ashamed of my behavior, and my first instinct was to go home, eat a bag of chips and pull the covers over my head. But then....on advice of a sweet sister, I took a walk and praised God. You cannot be in a funk when you're praising Him!
I am thankful that God is a God of second chances and His mercies are new each morning. The following day was a much better day; less of me and more of Him! Bless you Wendy!
My heart was drawn to Matt 9:36 "When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a Shepherd"
Oh, what a good example Jesus always sets for us! It is too easy for us to get angry and judgemental of others. But really, take pity and compassion sisters - the "crowds" need to know what we know! Jesus died for them too...their sins are gone! They need a Shepherd. Lord, help us to witness to the crowds with love and compassion; not getting defensive or ugly, but allowing Your Spirit to speak on Your behalf. Amen.
4 day weekend for me! Wa-hoo!
Morgen
Jennifer Renee,
I think of you as we read these passages, and I don't know if they build you up and give you hope, or if instead you reap discouragement. I have some verses for you too:
John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that [you] may have life, and have it to the full
John 10:28 - I give [you] eternal life, and [you] shall never perish; no one can snatch [you] out of my hand.
Matthew 10:28-31 (from today) : Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Matthew 6:26, 28-30, 34:
26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28"... See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
2 Peter 1:3-4a : 3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature
Psalm 17:7-9,13-15:
13 Rise up, O LORD, confront them[things, men, demons, thoughts], bring them down;
rescue me from the wicked by your sword.
14 O LORD, by your hand save me from such [things, men, demons, thoughts],
from [things,men,thoughts] of this world whose reward is in this life.
You still the hunger of those you cherish;
their sons have plenty,
and they store up wealth for their children.
15 And I—in righteousness I will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
Jen Ren, fell His arms around you. You are precious in His sight! He loves you more than flowers, more than sparrows, more than things of this world. He created you divinely and for a purpose. In Him you are strong! He has numbered the hairs on your head. He will break the bonds that hold you captive; He will release you from your prison, He will bind up your broken heart, and He will call you daughter as He wipes every tear from your eyes.
Cling dear one!
Karen
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Sweet Wendy,
Praying for you and your family. The more I think about your lesson and the truth you taught us, the more I see that it is not exactly easy to apply God’s Word. It’s just easier to read it and be book smart. Saying ‘no to our self’ well – that about pierced me too, sister! But, it is the moments like you spoke of, those moments in time, when you know for a fact, that you are nothing like yourself - you know it’s the Spirit oozing right out. It’s a renewed and refreshed feeling – that you truly want to hold on to forever.
Yesterday, on Family Life Radio I heard a preacher talk about something that struck me. He said, the more we allow the Holy Spirit to come inside us – ‘lose our life’ as you spoke of today Wendy, and as we are becoming sanctified closer to God bit by bit, and as the Spirit allows us to let go of those sins that have been tucked in our heart…well, the enemy truly takes notice! He wants us living in sin – not Spirit-filled. He is contrary to anything good. Anything God does, he is in direct opposition to. Speaking scripture and lifting up praises are the best way to keep the devil at a distance.
Truly, I want to know God. More. Lots more. That is going to take me losing myself, to be able to find and understand more of Him.
“But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:29, 30).
God is always aware of every situation; He cares deeply and is in control. No matter what we are going through, God is waiting for us to come and give Him the burden to carry.
Willing to let go, help me Lord, today! Lori
PS Jen Ren, praying for you sweet sister. I love what Karen wrote to you, God “created you divinely and for a purpose” (!)
Morgen I, too was drawn to those sheep. We, sisters have a shepherd that is guiding us. But, the world, they’re lost sheep, just wandering in sin, unsatisfied, but not quite knowing why. Let’s love some sheep today! Let’s on purpose set out to show our compassion to any sheep that come our way.
Happy Thanksgiving, JOY!!!!
Sweet friend, thanks for being so transparent for all of us. We live in a "me" society and all need to be reminded of how Jesus would have us live.
As a new Matthew West song says "What if I can make a difference..what if there's a bigger picture..population me?"
You have a blessed weekend!
Linda Fehlis
Our Dearest Wendy,
Praying for you and your son. You are a wise soul and a inspiration to us all. You are loved Wendy.
Saying no to myself yesterday, pierced me also.-Lori words.
Hugs, Debra
Baaaa! Baaaaaa!
Good idea Lori!
Morgen
Dearest Teacher of God's Word,
How I can identify with your struggle to lose your "self!" The "I" "Me" "My" is such a strong presence that only the Spirit can reign power over it. And you are right when you say that those moments when the Spirit reigns are so very thrilling! Why do I even want to go back to the "Me?" Because I am a human being, of the flesh. Temptation will always be right there on my shoulder. That is why I need the touchstone of God's Word, to try to manage little "corrections" on my journey throughout the day.
But my failures can be made into triumphs if I admit my weakness and ask for forgiveness. I can grow closer to my loved ones and closer to my God. They can be blessed opportunities for me to grow! I need the strength from the Spirit to suppress my pride and will, because I could never do this on my own.
I am reaching out of my comfort zone today, and doing something very unlike me. Yesterday I was "inspired" to make a little token gift for my difficult friend at work, because autumn is her favorite season. I cut and scooped out a little pumpkin, lined and filled it with floral foam, and make a mini flower arrangement using sunflowers, lilies and my garden flowers. I am going to take it to her today. Don't know how the Spirit will move next or what words will be spoken, but I am NOT going to practice anything in my head-- that would be the "Me" at work again!
Jen Ren, I am SAP for you right now. You are so important to us, and it is always OK to share how you are feeling. Do you have your Spiritual Mom to talk to too? Thank you for the information about deliverance. I want to hear from you today, sweet sister.
Lizzy, I love you and admire you so much! Thank you for your openness-- I can't imagine such a powerful experience. But I can imagine the closeness and love you two must now share, that most married couples will never achieve. God is so strong, working in your life because you just don't give up, sister! XOXOOOOO (long hug)
I am reading a book called "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis, and it is exactly about this very subject of demons. Even though it is a fictional, it is so full of truth and the human condition. It is a series of letters from "Uncle Screwtape," an experienced demon, instructing a novice demon on how to win over a young man's spirit to the "Father Below." He speaks of God as the "Enemy." Using all the ordinary situations in our human lives with our families and friends and self, it just brings to light how insidious temptation can be! These evil spirits try to play with our minds, to their delight! Makes one think about what power there is in spiritual warfare.
Better sign off.
Blessing and praying for you all,
Jacque
Good morning everyone,
I had so much highlighted today. A couple things that really stood out:
Matt 10:18b “but this will be your opportunity to tell rulers and others unbelievers about me.”
Matt 10:32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my father in heaven.”
Matt:10 22b But everyone who endures to the end will be saved”
That seems like pretty clear instructions to me, but sometimes so hard to follow. We need to let the Holy Spirit work in us, to spread the good news. It’s not always easy when life gets in the way, but keeping in the Word is our source of strength.
PS Karen, thanks for the great comments this morning!
Blessing,
Linda
Dearest Wendy, I can't thank you enough for your honesty today. I am right where you are today and needed to hear this. For me, this goes along with your teaching the other day about the seed/soil parable - with the troubles/trials of the daily grind (homework, getting 2 dawdling/fighting boys out the door for school each morning). These trials test me to the core and challenge my flesh -my impatience, quickness to become irritated/angry. I so want to please God in these trials, but I am failing miserably these days. Instead of acting in patience and love and instead of being slow to speak/anger, I am often frustrated and therefore not acting in a loving and patient manner with my two boys.
Losing myself (my desire for how quickly the boys listen or do what I ask, my need for their arguing to go away because it's bothering me, etc) is exactly what I need to do. I need to parent them not out of frustration and how their misbehavior makes me feel - it's not about me! It's about correcting them & disciplining them in a calm yet firm manner as the situation calls for it,so that they can be all God wants them to be. My irritation that they aren't doing what I want because I said so and because I'm getting angry - this isn't what I should focus on. And I cannot do it without the Holy Spirit working in and through me as it goes against my very nature to be patient, slow to get irritated and not self-centered!
I desperately want more of those moments of losing myself and my desires, to have His life shining through me. At times I feel like the impression my boys must have of me is a mom who just hurries them and fusses...not a pretty picture.
Lord Jesus, help me to be ever aware of the opportunities you put before me today to lay down my desires and replace them Your desires, so that I might find the abundant, full life that can only be found in You. Help me to discipline and guide my children in Your love, not in my frustration.
Amen
Dearest Wendy,
HIS strength…WILL pull you through this. Yes…I did do that too. So much to say to you. Want to just give you my ear today. Along with a (hug). Keep encouraging him in his strengths…(Karate Go Griffin!!). Keep believing in Him….and his learning will come.
Praying for all….Great post and HUGE encouragement to each other. Thanks All.
Rhonda
Jodie,
I second every single word! You said it exactly.
Amy
Amy, thank you, Sister!
Jen Ren, praying for you as you cope with your depression. Just want to let you know what a beautiful person you are...even though I haven't met you, just from reading your posts I can see what a beautiful soul you are! Never doubt how special you are to us in this group and most importantly to your Father and Creator. You are precious in His sight and He has great plans for you. You are already such an inspiration to all of us!!
Father, I pray for your healing, your peace, your comfort, your strength, your presence to wash over Jennifer Renee today. You promise to carry us through the most difficult times of our lives, when we can't see the way. We trust You and walk in faith, knowing You will never leave us nor forsake us. May Jennifer Renee not just know this truth but feel it way down deep in her soul today!
Amen
Jodie in Ottawa, so touched by your post yesterday. Just thank you for sharing. Love and prayers...
Jacque and gigs thanks for the prayers and encouraging words. Right now I'm still very tired but I got up so I could read yalls comments and my devotions. My spiritual mom has been on vacation since last Saturday so I haven't talked to her. The last time I talked to her was the Monday before she left. I might get to see her in two weeks.
I had a similar experience when I went through deliverance with my friend Holly and her husband that Lizzy's husband had. I had several things I needed deliverance from and at one point I became real hot and felt like I was in a fight. It felt like something was pushing against me.
Jen Ren, you are a blessing to us! Thank you for posting, and remember the words of Jesus, Matt 9:37 "The harvest is great, but the workers are few." Jen Ren, you are one of those precious workers He is relying on. We need you, He needs you. Take care of your beautiful Temple so that you can continue to do God's work. We are here for you.
Love,
Jacque
Dear Sweet Wendy....
Thank you so much for being so REAL. I admit, I have always envied you - your house is always so neat, quaint little neighborhood, perfect husband, perfect kids. Honestly, it is refreshing to know that we all have our issues, our things we all deal with. It may not be exactly the same - but we are all walking a life of trying to be more like Christ - and it isn't easy, but oh so fulfilling. Thank you so much for leading us and allowing a glimpse into your daily struggles. Together, we can join in the walk and continue to praise our Father.
Thanks for sharing.
Sometimes the greatest gift we can give our children is allowing them to see us in our humanist, not perfect, but trying, making mistakes, asking forgiveness. How well I remember those "homework nights" spent in frustration, tears, and every now and then triumph. Praying for you, dear leader, and for your family.
Everyone, thank you for sharing- I have been drawing so much from all of you.
Gaylene
Weny,
Two days ago as I walked through Costco(store) with my 13 year old son. I found myself saying. I really like that or this... And on I went and finally, I stopped and said to my son "do you hear me?" and he said "what" I said "I sound awful, me, my, I, myself,, what I want" We both looked at eachother and kinda laughed. I was explaining to him how we are selfish people (me included largley in that) and that its not good.
I also have two children who bicker and fight. It test MY,(there is that word again) patience. When you said you had the opportunity to loose your life for you son at the moment but you didn't. I cried becausew I have been there more times then I care to admit. But, I was fully able to understand that verse and how I would actually apply it, live it. The deeper meaning came out to me. Wendy, I have been praying for you and I love how real you are when you share. That is so encouraging! Have a wonderful/blessed weekend..
Press on!
Stacey Irwin
p.s. Sorry I spelled your name wrong.. lol I know its Wendy :D
Wendy,
Thanks for this post. I struggle greatly with never feeling good enough. I feel I am always behind and I desperately need to be free from perfectionism. If I can't do things perfectly I find I put them off and I am always playing catch up and then I am frustrated. Thanks for your honesty. I receive your post in my email and I got 3 weeks behind. I finally told myself I have to start today and forget the past. Life happens and some things just don't get done. The world won't end and I know that, but my personality told me I need to go back and do all the days I was behind, but I just had to let it go. I try to be what I think is supermom and I really need to know what God wants me to be doing. So I am starting fresh today on several things in my life and I am not going to worry about playing catch up. God is here in the present and sometimes I have to just start today and move forward. If I have time I would love to go back and just listen to the posts I missed. Every post has something that helps me and I hate to miss any of them, but life happens and time goes by.
Sorry to ramble on, so I am just going to ask for prayer for freedom from perfectionism and for God to reveal to me the areas I am wasting my precious time. I want my priorities to be in line with God's will.
Thanks Wendy!
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