Daily Bread

Jesus said to the twelve, ‘A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!

‘So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.’

You know how I like my 'golden rules' such as the one taken from the Book of James, "Mercy triumphs over judgment"? Well, there is another golden rule highlighted in this Bible passage, and that is that, 'God will never overrule our wills.' If we choose to deny Jesus before others then God will allow us to do so — God will not stand in our way.

There is no 'middle ground' when it comes to a decision of faith, but Jesus is very clear on one thing, if you have chosen Christ (confessing Christ as God) then there's nothing in this world that will ever be able to take that away. You are 100% God's child and God will defend you like a lioness protecting her cubs. Every hair on your head is counted (even for us bald dudes). So take heart, God acknowledges you and you are of more value than you can possibly imagine.

The point of Jesus saying these things was to help you have peace and not fear the things of this world — people, regimes, or governments. We do live in a terrifying world — a world on the brink of war, a world where human rights are being eroded, and world on the brink of environmental collapse — but Jesus says, "Take heart for I have overcome the world." (John 16.33).

God has got you and no matter what problems and pains and enemies you encounter, you belong to God.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Holy God
I choose to follow you
and, like Thomas, I declare that,
"You are my Lord and my God."
Thank you that I am yours
and you are mine
and that nothing can
ever separate me
from your love.