Accepted/Rejected….Stay or Shake off the Dust
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
(NIV)
When you knock on the door, be courteous in your greeting.
If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation.
If they don’t welcome you, quietly withdraw.
Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on the way.
(The Message)
(The Message)
Matthew 10:14
We have been praying God’s word for our children
regarding the paths they will choose this year as they start school.
We have asked the Lord that our children would be
a sweet fragrance to others around them because of Christ in them
and ultimately be drawn to Him through the love of
our children to others.
What about the times when this does not happen……when Christ in our children
causes them to be rejected by others.
In Matthew 10 Jesus is preparing his disciples to go out into the world and
will be accepted…but in other places they will be rejected.
He doesn’t just warn them, but He goes on to tell them exactly what to do when this happens.
Either stay and let your peace rest on that place, or move on….shake off the dust
and shrug your shoulders and move on…..quietly and
without a scene.
Let’s pray God’s word for our children:
Heavenly Father, thank You that You allow us to take part in
Your kingdom building.
And, thank You for Your Word that clearly explains what Your children
will encounter when going out to show others Your love.
I pray that as my child enters new circles of friends and relationships this year,
that they would take Your truths as they gently proclaim Your love to others.
If they are received by others, I pray that Your kingdom would be multiplied
as a result of Christ in them. Give them courage and strength
to disciple those around them…courage to invite others to church, confidence to
tell their stories of coming to know You and
real life experiences of what a personal
relationship with You looks like. Give them creative visions and desires to
start bible studies or prayer circles so that others will know
You as a Father.
I pray they would have Your strength to stay and make disciples.
We realize this might not happen in all of their encounters this year.
When that is the case, I pray that my child would have the security
and confidence in You to shake if off….shake off the rejection, the hurt,
the loss of friendship.
Let them not carry it around in their emotions, or let it steal their joy.
Give them the strength to quietly withdraw and leave the lies
that the enemy is trying to get them to believe at the foot of Your cross.
And then let them be on their way….to love and serve You.
Amen
~Terrie Chevaillier, Guest SkyMom Prayer Encourager
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