Matthew 10:28-42 KJV 28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. In this modern time and hunting season begins, many hunters are made at tighter gun control restrictions. In the day old west everyone toted a gun. Today more and more are buying guns, just because the government wants to ban them. Some colleges and universities are even allowing students to carry guns with them. And it varies from state to state the laws on hand gun control as well as federal laws. Officers even pull shifts at schools today. So many guns, but so many that perhaps should not own a gun have them too. The issue is not how to control guns of the responsible person, but how to control the guns of the irresponsible person. The truth when the government makes that law that controls the irresponsible person and it works then they will get applauds that will be heard around the world. Today I want to talk about peace again only to talk that Jesus said he did not come to bring peace but a sword. Now If Jesus was a symbol of peace for God then how can Jesus be bringing about sword. The world gives up their sons to war, to sickness, to disasters and many other ways. God sent his only beloved and begotten Son to be sacrificed and to die on the cross for our sins, so we no longer had to pay the price of sin, if we only believe Him and receive his Son Jesus as Savior and Lord. Several things occurs, many people believe Jesus exist but to make him Lord is a different story. Jesus said if you deny him, he would deny you before the Father. We can not deny He is the Prince of Peace, or the Son Of God. Now many other religions do not deny Jesus as even being a son of God, before they too are sons and daughters by faith, but they do not believe He the only begotten of the Father. In Greek and Roman eras Israel learned of first hand nations that worshipped many false deity and even claimed those deities to be sons and daughters of Zeus/Jupiter. God claimed there are no others besides Jesus. Many religions try and claim they are the only truth, Christianity is no exemption from this rule, but what makes Christianity different. I believe it is the truth that comes with studying of God's word and the prophesy of the saints that come to pass not by the will of man but the will of God and it is fully seen in the lives of the people. There hope is not without prophesy that only God can reveal Prophesy that God can only prove. That God freely gives. Jesus was prophesy, yet the ability to be was only testament of the truth of God's word. One more note, is seldom does anyone believe prophesy, unless it is revealed, but the prophesies of God are hid in the heart of believer to be shown and reveal in time to come so future prophesy afar off is believable. Abraham had prophesy that would not come to pass in his life time, but was for the future. The sword that Jesus is talking about that comes is the division upon whether or not Jesus is the Messiah. Is the one spoken about. Is the Savior of the world and the fact their is no other salvation but belief through Christ Jesus. Many people think being good enough will save you. Jesus says if you deny Him, He will deny you before the Father on the throne. When Jesus says you are one of his, the Father no longer sees your sin. You are before the judgment seat, you are a child of God upon belief in Jesus, but if you knew him not in your life time upon the earth, he will deny you. Matthew says do not fear those that can kill the body but He who can destroy both your body and soul. We need to fear God in a reverent way. A fear of God in a way that we understand his authority over us. Do we fear what God can do more then we fear our family, friends and even the law. That is fear. That fear cause Noah to build an ark, That fear cause Jonah to finally repent and go to Nineveh. That fear cause Abraham to go to the Promise Land. That fear caused Moses to lead the people to the Promise land. That fear cause Abilemech to let Abraham's wife go. That fear cause Pharaoh to let the Hebrew people go, but would later loose his life when he chased the Hebrew people to try and enslave them once more. The Fear Of God forced Daniel to obey God rather then the king and he found himself being cast into the lions den. The fear of God caused great men to face persecution despite their own common sense to run, to flee, to deny and even fail at bowing to idol, or another God. This God of the Bible and Jesus must be more then another religion or faith if people are not only willing to die for it but to convince others of God's saving grace. Matthew says God knows the number of hairs we have. Unless you totally bald, I will not try and count the strands of your hair. Why because after 25 strands, who is going to remember which strand is next and which one was one of those splitting hairs. If God loves his creation like the Sparrow and cares for him, how much more does He care for us. He loves us, more then you realize, and though we do face pain sometimes for our faith, the hope is implanted in our heart that a little pain of this world is not worth the eternity of pain for life time. Jesus may divide your family and even friends. May cause you to loose your job, oh but when it causes to loose your job they will say it for another reason. Fact is do not loose your faith, or your hope. Hold on to Jesus. He knows your need. And true manna and quail everyday may seem hard but it not worse then doing without. Where is your faith, where is your hope, where is your peace when trouble comes. Peace is found from faith during a storm. God's comfort takes you through the storm, through the trials, through the tribulation, because he cares for you. One must trust that He has a plan for you. He that refuses to take up his own cross and follow Jesus is not his. To take up our own cross is to follow in faith in Christ. To be willing to take on your responsibility to follow Christ on your own. You can not follow for someone else, and no one can follow for you. Jesus says we are to receive a prophet and others in His name, to help them along life journey. To receive and help a prophet will be rewarded by God. How are you going to be rewarded, I don't know, but I know God will bless you in someway. So help those in need when you can, and if you can not do not worry about it, say at least a prayer. God's knows your heart and intent. Dear Heavenly Father, help us to take up our cross, carrying the sword of faith in Christ Jesus. The sword that divides us from the rest of the world. In Jesus precious name, Amen. Continual Scripture Study for Devotion: 1 Peter 5:6-7 KJV 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. http://www.turtle30cshell.com