Stay alert constantly. This is not easy work I’m assigning you – it’s hazardous. You’ll be like a sheep running through a pack of wolves. So be careful not to call attention to yourselves. Be quiet and crafty, gentle and inoffensive. But don’t be naïve. People WILL impugn your motives and smear your reputation just because you believe in me. Don’t lose heart though when they haul you before the authorities. Their intention may be to destroy you, but I’m at work in their treachery. Without even knowing it they’ll have done you – and me – a favor: you’ll have a platform for preaching the Kingdom news to authorities! And don’t worry about what you will say when you get there. The Holy Spirit will supply the right words just when you need them.
When people realize that it’s the LIVING GOD you’re presenting, and not some sounds-good made-up god, they are going to turn on you. Even loved ones. Even your family. But it's only because they don’t understand. They can't see yet.
There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate. But don’t give up! Don’t crumble! It’s all well worth it in the end. Survival is the goal in these times, not success. Be survivors! Before you know it the Son of Man will have arrived – help is on the way.
Don’t be intimidated. Don’t hesitate to share the Kingdom NOW. Don’t wait.
A time is coming when everything will be perfectly clear, and everyone will know the truth.
Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood.
Tell them that the Kingdom is HERE.
"Everyone who calls “Help, God!” gets help.
But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust?
And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted?
And how can they hear if nobody tells them?
And how is anybody going to tell them unless someone is sent to do it?
That’s why Scripture exclaims,
'A Sight to take your breath away!
Grand processions of people telling all the good things of God!'"
From Romans 10, The Message
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