“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” (Matthew 10:19-20).

Dive into the word such that it is in you. When confronted by those who will persecute you, do not worry about what you are going to say. The word will be in you. The Holy Spirit will bring out what is in you to speak what needs to be spoken. Why do you worry so much? The Lord knows all your circumstances and He will make sure you are prepared for whatever faces you. Trust in His leading.

Lord, You know how much I worry and fret. Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to understand that You will allow nothing to happen that is not in Your will. If it be such that I stand before those who persecute You through me, grant me Your peace such that I know Your Holy Spirit in me will guide me through this and every circumstance. May Your Spirit speak through me.

Jesus, You knew what was coming and You marched to Jerusalem anyway. Prepare me, one who does not know what is coming, so that I am a willing servant open to what You will do. Place in my heart a confident strength that even if they kill me, they only slay the body which You will resurrect on the last day. In all things, help me to live according to Your word so that I may grow in this faith that You have given me. Amen.

“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” (Matthew 10:17-18).

The wicked are, well, wicked. They think they know what they are doing and if you dare to cross them, they will crucify you. But actually they do not know what they are doing, they just act as if they do. Our Lord has given us invaluable instructions to live in this world without remaining sinners who seek to control. The Lord is in control and all the violence in this world will never overcome the truth that all authority and power belongs to Jesus.

Lord, You have given me fair warning. There are those in this world who hate You and therefore will hate me. Help me to be clear about this so that I do not become surprised when this happens to me. This can happen in a fellowship that calls itself the church as easily as a government or group of rebels. Grant that I would see things as they are, knowing that all things are in Your hands.

Lord Jesus, You send me with Your peace into the world and advise me to beware of those who will not only reject that peace, but become hostile with any mention of You. Grant that I would not back down because of danger, nor compromise because of force. Help me to live into the life You give me with boldness and faithfulness. Prepare me to meet whatever challenge You have placed before me. Amen.

“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

There are wicked people in the world. But to understand them, one must understand the wolf in themselves. The sinner is there. That serpent in you has wisdom of the world. It sees things. Be wise, but, and this is the big part, remain in the innocence of Christ while seeing how the wolf thinks. This easier than you think. It is a matter of living the truth that you are a sinner and a saint.

Lord, You know how the wicked one wants me to play nice and confront no one. Sheep are slaughtered continuously for lack of wisdom. Teach me to be shrewd and wise yet remain innocent in the Father’s eyes. You have given me these instructions, so help me to push through my idea of religion to live in the faith that You give me. Guide me into this kind of faith.

Holy Spirit, You know the inner struggle I have between the sinner and the saint. I do know the ways of the world, but sometimes outwardly pretend that I do not. Guide me, Lord, so that I do use the wisdom You give me. Grant me understanding and remove from me all wickedness. Help me to go out into the world, aware of circumstances, and willing to confront the wolves I meet with the truth. Amen.

“If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town” (Matthew 10:14-15).

There are many, even in churches, who are hostile to the Gospel. Folks believe they know what they need. None of us truly knows. We need what only Christ can give. If you meet hostility, even in a fellowship that calls itself the church, move on. Those who reject you when you are sharing the love of Jesus are rejecting Jesus. They bring upon themselves their own judgement.

Lord, I am guilty of being one who has been hostile to strangers. I want to be comfortable, but in that desire, sometimes I am led away from You. Guide me to look to You first so that if I am in a hostile situation I will be empowered to move on. Lead me, Lord, so that I humbly walk in the way You desire. Help me to be willing to share who I am with any You cause to cross my path.

Lord, I often make things more difficult than they need to be. You have told me to abide in You knowing that You abide in me. Guide me so that I willingly walk in all Your ways. Open my heart so that I receive those who will come to You. But grant me wisdom to not be used by those who are trying to use You. Lead me always, Lord and make me ready to do the Father’s will. Amen.

“If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you” (Matthew 10:13).

If they will receive you, then live in the peace Christ gives you. If they are hostile, then do not force the peace of Christ upon another. How simple is that? Do not think that you need to do something when what the Lord is asking is that you be whom He has made you to be. The Lord is the One who does the saving. He uses our willingness to be whom He has made us to be to share the Gospel.

Lord, You have called me to be an evangelist. In You, I need worry about nothing. But I do worry and try to think ahead. Teach me to live in Your peace which surpasses all understanding so that I demonstrate the hope in such a way that others see it. Where there are those who will not see it, help me to move on. Whether the message You give me is received or not is Your business. Help me to understand this clearly.

Jesus, You have breathed Your Spirit in me. You have given me the gift of salvation. I am whom You are making me to be. Lead me, Lord, in the way You would have me go. Guide me in Your goodness to remain in Your peace and not judge what You are doing in another’s life, but simply share my life willingly with those whom You place next to me. Be the One who guides me always that I may be faithful.  Amen.

“Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it” (Matthew 10:11-12).

Christians are not to go into the world to just find out who to convert. The Holy Spirit knows who is ready to receive the Gospel. Go, and if they receive you, stay. We are not selling anything. The truth of Jesus is the truth of reality. Some want to continue with unreality. Some are open and willing. Trust the leading of the Holy Spirit and be willing to remain with those who are willing to receive.

Lord, I have grown up in a time when it seems that many view the idea of evangelism as a door- to-door selling proposition. You send us and there are those who will receive us. How simple is that? If they will not receive us, then we need not stay. I know I am not personally responsible for anyone’s salvation. You alone are the One who saves. Write these principles in my heart so that I remain free in You.

Lord Jesus, I quickly fall into the trap of thinking I must do something. The “I” has been the source of constant difficulties. Free me to trust Your leading so that I do what You give me to do. You are the Savior and You have asked me to share the truth of Your salvation with any who are willing to receive the message You give me grace to share it. Guide me now and always to live in the truth and share with all who are willing to receive the message You give me. Amen.

“Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food” (Matthew 10:9-10).

Money may be a part of this age, but why do we worry about money? Does not everything belong to the Lord? Whether it is outright gambling, working all the time, or merely wishful thinking, why do we spend so much time and energy on things that are fleeting? Above all things, trust the Lord. He knows what we need even before we ask. He provides for all.

Lord, this world has us scrambling all the time. Earn more, give more, try to stay afloat. Yes, the daily struggle is a part of this life, but it is not all of life. Redirect my efforts so that I do my part, but do so by doing what is right according to Your direction. You know what I need to do and all the things that You will do through me. Prepare me to live the life of a disciple and then teach me to trust You in all circumstances.

Lord Jesus, You left this world with nothing, but by grace gave us more than all the wealth of this world. You laid all things down before giving up Your Spirit. Guide me in the way of living faith so that I too leave it all behind and come to You in grace. Take from me the undue worry and cares of this world, not to be irresponsible, but to live fully for the truth of the Gospel which You have given to all who believe. You will provide for all my needs as I do Your will. Help me to trust in Your provision. Amen.

“As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment” (Matthew 10:7-8).

The Good News is that the kingdom of heaven has come near. Jesus is always close by. Will you take His hand and walk with Him? You have received freely, now freely give. If the Lord so leads, bring healing where He directs. He is the One with all power, but He grants all of us authority to go out in His name. As you have been called, so also, you are sent to share the good news of salvation which is in Christ.

Lord, why do I make this so complex? You are the Lord of life and You have given me Your life. If I am willing, You can ask me to say to a mountain, “Be moved,” and it will move. I need no power, for I have none, You can do all things through me. Bring me to the place where I am willing to be Your servant, going into the world, doing what You give me to do. These things are only possible because all things are possible with You, Lord of all.

Holy Spirit, I wrestle inwardly with my own abilities. Take away this focus upon myself so that I may humbly walk by Your guidance. Lead me in Your goodness to simply follow Your instructions. Help me today to share the truth that the kingdom of God is near with all that I say and do. Help me to be bold in faith, knowing that You will direct me in those ways which will see the Father’s will being done in me.  Amen.

“These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:5-6).

Jesus needed to teach them how to reach out before the Holy Spirit would lead them out into the world. First, learn how to love those in your community, then learn how to love the stranger. First look for those who are looking, then go into all the world. Jesus teaches us to be focused on the direction He gives. You are not in charge, He is. Learn to follow the Lord in all His ways.

Everything You do has purpose, Lord. Help me to overcome my self-direction and follow Your leading. You will remove my self-interest as You lead me forward. You will guide me to walk humbly with You always. You will strip down the barriers to my submission and teach me that You have come to save all who believe. Lead me through my faith to come to the place where I serve all others by serving You.

Lord Jesus, You began with the House of Israel, but Your redeeming grace reaches out to all who will come to You. Guide me in Your goodness, Lord, so that I too will go where You send me. The Lord’s sheep are everywhere. By Your Spirit, help me to connect with those with whom You will connect me and help me to speak Your words of comfort to them. Send me where You know I need to go. Amen.

“These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him” (Matthew 10:2-4).

The twelve are named.  A hodgepodge of mostly fishermen who were the least likely candidates to lead a church.  But is that not the way of your local church?  A hodgepodge of folk from all walks of life are called together to be the body of Christ in that place?  Yes, the Lord does what He does because He is the Lord of all.  He has called you to be amongst those who are sent into the world. So go in peace to serve the Lord!

Lord, I like to think in terms of us and them.  You have called me to think in terms of You alone.  You will do what You will do, and the Father’s will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Lead me to look to You, the author and finisher of my faith, and humbly walk with You, going where You send me, doing what You give me to do and knowing that all things are in Your hands.

Lord Jesus, I have difficulty with the third part of Your Great Commission.  You have asked that I learn to obey all that You command.  This includes instructions to be an evangelist.  You have given me the Good News and You have asked that I share that Good News with others.  Lead me so that I am willing to live a life that shares the truth of the Good News of salvation which You have given for all who will believe.  Amen.