This is Follow Jesus Radio encouraging you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily. The title of this devotional thought is: Challenges in Ministry.
"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."
— Matthew 10:16 (NIV)
When we step out to share the Word of Jesus or serve Him in ministry, we often expect everything to go smoothly. But Jesus never painted a rose-colored picture of discipleship. In fact, He gave His followers a very clear, sober warning: He is sending us out like sheep among wolves.
Whenever you choose to proclaim the truth of God’s grace, you can expect resistance. The devil detests the truth of the gospel, and he will actively try to discourage, distract, or resist your efforts. We should never consider it a strange thing when our message is rejected or even attacked. We are stepping onto a spiritual battlefield, and conflict is part of the war zone.
So, what should we do when the enemy strikes back?
First, we stay faithful. We don't retreat; we stand firm, knowing that the battle belongs to the Lord.
Second, we ask for overcoming faith. We don't fight this spiritual battle in our own strength or with human arguments. We fight our battles in prayer, asking our Heavenly Father for the endurance we need to keep standing.
And finally, we seek Jesus continually. When the pressure rises, we run straight to our Savior for refuge. He is our Commander, our shield, and our constant source of peace.
If you are facing resistance in your family, your workplace, or your ministry today, do not lose heart. Keep your eyes on Jesus, put on His armor, and walk forward in His authority.
And remember, if you lose a battle, you will not lose the war. Jesus has assured victory.
That's it for this podcast. Remember, Jesus loves you and is just a prayer away.
Christian - forgiven - grateful
Welcome. My name is Richard Templin Hancock and I’m here to encourage you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily. I'm glad you're here—let's walk this path together.