Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started.

Welcome to our study from Matthew chapter 10. Jesus summons the 12 apostles and gives them the power to work miracles.

He sends them out to the Jewish people to preach the coming kingdom of Christ.

This becomes an early lesson to the disciples that some will openly embrace the gospel, but many will not.

He notes that they are like sheep sent out amidst the wolves.

But even under persecution they are told, quote,

Do not worry, for the Holy Spirit of God is with them.

If Jesus was rejected by some, so too will they be rejected.

Do not fear what man can do to you, only fear God who sees

and knows all. The gospel will unite some in joy, but it will also be a sort of division for others,

even in one's own household. Let's see if there are some things for our benefit in this chapter.

The most uttered instruction

in scripture is this, quote, do not be afraid. Twice it is spoken of in today's read.

The call to discipleship is not one of ease. If it was, Christians would not be tempted to fear. The disciples were given the most wonderful

tools, the approval of Jesus, power from heaven, and the Holy Spirit. They were then challenged to use

those tools to herald the coming kingdom in this world. That mission would draw negativity

and persecution, and so it will be for you and me. Being on a

mission means sharing the light of Christ in this dark world. This can lead to trouble. Even so,

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