Jesus’ last minute instructions to his followers before sending them out to do what He was doing is similar. They are words of how much God cares for them, be careful out there, and I’ve got your back! Wow, what a comfort and challenge these words are to us even today.

Boot Camp-Part Two

REMEMBER HOW MUCH GOD KNOWS ABOUT YOU AND CARES FOR YOU!

“What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail–even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t’ be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.”
Matthew 10, Msg

STAND UP FOR JESUS!

“Sand up for me against world opinion and I’ll stand up for you before my Father in heaven. IF you turn tail and run, do you think I’ll cover for you?” Matthew 10, Msg

GOD FIRST, IT WON’T BE EASY

“Don’t think I’ve come to make life cozy. I’ve come to cut–make a sharp knife-cut between son and father, daughter and mother, bride and mother-in-law–cut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for god. Well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies. If you prefer father or mother over me, you don’t deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don’t deserve me.” Matthew 10, Msg

“If you don’t go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don’t deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me.” Matthew 10, Msg

START SMALL, YOU CAN’T LOSE!

“We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God’s messenger. Accepting someone’s help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.” Matthew 10, Msg

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for attaching our lives to You. Thank you for your love and care for us as we follow your leading. Thank you for helping us see others more clearly through your eyes. Continue to be with us, firmly grafted to you, the Vine, that gives salvation with hope for the future, light for our path and encouragement in our walk. May the world see You in us and be drawn to You, not us. In Jesus Name, Amen