Happy Wednesday! Have you ever been to a place where you were greeted with a big hug or a smile? How did that make you feel? Today we will read Jesus’ final instructions to the disciples before they went out in pairs to share the gospel message. Enjoy today’s reading and the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Next week, Antonette Toney will be our guest content writer. Please join us, she is amazing and you will be blessed. Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

BIBLE VERSE – Matthew 10:40-42 NLT
“⁴⁰ “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴² And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.””

REFLECTION
Just as the disciples were equipped to share the message, the Lord has and will continue to keep his servants equipped and ready to share the gospel message with others. The Lord is a faithful reward to those who follow and receive the message. As you shine your light, people will welcome you and Christ.

Brothers and sisters, I hope you enjoyed our read through chapter 10. The Lord’s instructions then are still relevant today. 

Will you go out and share the good news of the gospel message with others? If so, start with the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

PRAYER
Father God, thank you for another day and for blessing us with a good week. Lord, although some days may have had its trials, we thank you for being our help, hope, shield and peace. Lord, help us to keep you first in our lives. Lord, remind us to seek your wise counsel before we venture into a project, plan, or make a decision. Lord, give us clear instructions. Help us to be truthful to ourselves and to others. Help us to keep our eyes focused on you. Lord, use us as you see fit. Lord, shape and mold us to be more like you in our words and our actions. Touch us, Lord. Make us new. Ignite a fire and passion in us that we have not felt before. Lord of the harvest, send more workers. Lord, help us to be shepherds to the lost, least and the last. Protect us from the wolves amongst the sheep. Continue to change us. In Jesus name, amen.

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” – 2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV