Living in the Spirit

June 18, 2023

Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. –Matthew 10:9-23

It is frightening to hear people believing information that is not true. If lies are repeated enough with enough drama, they grow into ideas that become new inventions, having nothing to do with truth. Indeed, we are sheep being sent into the midst of wolves. Anymore, I cross-check most things I read or hear.  Many newspapers now carry a section where it cross-checks what they are quoting. The fact that it is being said, even if incorrect, is news.

I tend to blame most of the ills in our world today on greed and lust for power. Our governments at all levels are caught in the dependence on greed for people to win elections. I receive text messages and emails daily asking me to donate to some candidate. Broadcasters predict who will win elections by how much money they have raised. We, the people, are the only ones who can rein in this greed and lust for power, but before we start, we need to read the above scripture, take it to heart, and not get caught up in the idols of our day.

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
   and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
   and to walk humbly with your God?

Prayer: Lord, enable your love within us to love the idols out of our world. Amen.

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.