Living in the Spirit

June 20, 2020

Scripture Reading: Matthew 10:24-39

‘So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. –Matthew 10:26-33

Jesus spoke some challenging words. Read the whole scripture for today. It is tough. The world was tough then; it is tough today. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;. rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

I love history and have found myself watching more TV then usual as I shelter in place. I have found some interesting history pieces to watch. The American West is a rerun about the settling of the West in the USA following the Civil War. I have enjoyed watching it but knew most of the history it covers. I did not know that Henry McCarty was from New York or that he did not know who his father was. His mother brought him to live in the New Mexico area where she died when he was a teen leaving him to raise himself. He spent his time sharpening his skills with guns and supported himself stealing cattle.  An  encounter with a rancher whose cattle he was attempting to steal resulted in the rancher hirng him. This first father figure was very important to him. When the rancher was murdered, Billy the Kid was born.

We who are privileged need to search our hearts to determine where we as a society are killing peoples souls, seek forgiveness for our sin, and repent of our actions that are discriminatory, demeaning, and demoralizing.

Prayer: Lord, open our eyes to see how the systemic injustice that is rampant in our world. Once our eyes are open, makeus doers of your word* to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

*See James 1:22

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.