PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 10:16-20
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)
Living with, like and for Jesus in this dark world will not be easy.
But He will help us, His Spirit will speak and work through us, we will not be alone.
Here Jesus urges us to be wise, to think through how best to represent Him.
Neither gullible nor a pushover, we should always think and act with integrity.
Beware of traps, look for opportunities, think through implications… be wise!
Know how the enemy works, and make your plans accordingly.
Satan will use anyone/anything to silence or hold me back, to discourage or defeat me.
He is shrewd like a serpent, but we can be too… only without resorting to evil.
Jesus urges us (as does Paul) to be prepared and armed (Ephesians 6:10-20).
Where is Jesus sending me today, where will I end up having to share His love?
How will the enemy work against me to silence me, to hold me back?
What steps will I take, what friends will I rely on, what supports will I use?
The Lord will help me with His Spirit, but I must do my part as well.
Life as a Jesus follower calls for shrewd yet innocent STRATEGIC PLANNING.
PRAYER
Lord, Your Spirit’s help is greatly appreciated but I need to be engaged too, to carefully consider the enemy’s schemes and to plan accordingly.
God help me to not worry when I need to speak and to ask for wisdom instead.
Even though I know this and have experienced ‘wisdom from on high’ in difficult circumstances, I still tend to ‘worry’ or be anxious prior to the next issue or roadblock or challenge I face. That worry/anxiety/stress makes me strive hard to gather intelligence – so that I’m prepared – not knowing how things will happen but trusting in God HS to guide and help me say and commit to the right things or to not at all. What better source of intelligence though – then from on high?
Lord, I need you every hour – your council every hour!
Going forward.
The great commission. Being sent out as His followers.
Equipped.
Spirit driven.
Given the words to say.
Fear not He tells me for I am with you always.
I need to go forward in that power this day that He has made
and
every day He gives me to serve.
O Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my Guide.
2
Oh, let me feel Thee near me;
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.
3
Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will;
Oh, speak to reassure me,
To hasten, or control;
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul.
Holy Spirit, open my spiritual eyes and ears, so that I can follow your leading. Thank you for giving me the words to speak so that I don’t have to worry about what to say. For Jesus’ sake, amen.
O Lord Jesus you send us like sheep in the midst of wolves and told us to be wise as serpent but gentle as dove. Seems insurmountable but possible with your Spirit in us. Help us to be attuned to the Spirit’s leading and be strategic in our planning and action.
Forward followers of Jesus. Hurray!