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Read Luke 10:1-16
“Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves” (v. 3).
Lambs among wolves — what chance would they have? Jesus was sending His disciples into an environment in which they would be opposed by those who hated righteousness and loved evil. Persecution awaited them. Indeed, we only need to read the life of the Apostle Paul to know that this was true.
The Nicene Council was held in the fourth century to debate the nature of Christ. It was an important milestone in Church history — Jesus was declared to be one with the Father. Vance Havner, the well-known evangelist, reportedly declared that, of the 318 bishops who participated in the debates, fewer than a dozen had whole, healthy bodies. The rest, he said, had lost eyes or hands or had been severely hurt in other ways because of their faith in Christ.
That believers go forth as lambs among wolves is no less true today. Read the accounts of persecution in the Voice of the Martyrs magazine to acquaint yourself with modern fulfillments of Jesus’ ancient declaration. But note also that “it is the manifestation of a meek and lamblike spirit among ravenous and wolfish men which wins the battle for Christ and conquers the world” (Pulpit Comm.). Jesus does not win the world through armed conflict or coercion; He wins the hearts of men through meekness and love. (Steven E Hight)
Lambs among wolves ultimately overcome through Christ.
This is the January 20, 2014, devotional from Opening the Word.
Photo Credit: Jean-Léon Gérôme [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5
“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (v. 5).
Paul McGehee was the longest serving employee of the Herald and Banner Press. When but a young man, he approached the editor about employment and was told they were looking for a long-term employee. The young man soon became a dedicated employee in the printing of the church publications. He was dedicated to the business, but also thoroughly committed to God and the doing of His will.
Young McGehee was soft spoken, a polite gentleman. He would gladly take time to visit with another but not at the expense of his work. His work came first — after his relationship with God. In the sixty plus years he worked for Herald and Banner, he was late only a handful of times.
Paul used the old linotype setter with expertise. By himself he set type for the twelve-page Banner each week. He then printed it on an old hand-fed single-sheet press. Besides, he often chose the articles to be used and did the proofing himself. Furthermore, he and Maybelle addressed and mailed the paper each week.
He never asked to be lauded nor rewarded. God gave him meaningful work to do, and he faithfully did it. Surely he will hear the Lord’s “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
God’s call for reapers in the harvest is still ringing out. It may be to a lowly, almost unnoticed field of work, but the Lord sees it all and will appropriately reward. (Ray L Crooks)
Do not let the rush and noise of the world dull your ears from hearing God's call to service.
This is the Tuesday, January 14, 2014, devotional from Opening the Word.

Read Isaiah 1:10-20
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (v. 18).
Verses 10-15 of Isaiah 1 are shocking, really. God has a message for a very religious people, and it is not a pretty one. “I’m sick of your church services,” He tells them, in effect. “You sing hymns with great resonance, fast with strict observance, and pray with lifted hands, but I won’t hear you. It all disgusts me.”
What is the reason for God’s revulsion? He says their “hands are full of blood.” God tells them they need cleansing from their sins; there are some things they should NOT do. God explains in detail what they need to do instead: Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows (v. 17).
The Israelites had adopted all the outward forms of spirituality. These were not only Christmas and Easter attenders; they taught Sunday school and led prayer meetings. But somehow, in all the trappings of religion, they had missed the most important part: the heart of God.
The truth is, when we seek God we find our hearts breaking at the needs and brokenness of others. God wanted His people to open their eyes to the oppressed, the orphan, and the widow — the most vulnerable in society. (Ashlee Englund)
Jesus wants to cleanse us from sin and empower us to help others.
This devotional is the Tuesday, January 7, 2014 entry from the Winter 2014 edition of Opening the Word.
Photo Credit: "Church" by silent shot used under CC BY / Cropped.

Read Luke 15:11-21
“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” (v. 17).
God did it!
A young relative of ours was away from the Lord, though raised in a Christian home and himself once a Christian. A problem he had, one that happens too often, was disappointment with professing Christians. Many relatives and friends were praying for him and trying to help him, seemingly without any real success. One day he went to a good family friend and, with his help and encouragement, prayed through to victory. My comment when I learned about it? “All I can say is, ‘God doeth all things well.’ ”
How often people miss God’s offered salvation or plan for their lives because they will not admit their need. They desire to order their own lives without God involved in any way. It has been said that “You can’t get a person saved until you get him lost.” He must fully realize his need. When the prodigal thought on his foolish waste, the nearness of starvation, and how well off he was before leaving home, he determined to go back. So he gave the pigs a “permanent wave” (meaning good-bye forever!) and headed homeward. (Joel E Miller)
He lived with the pigs in the pigpen
For he left father’s house to roam
Then he gave the pigs a “permanent wave”
And humbly headed home!
— Joel E. Miller
Stay put; do not be a foolish wanderer from Father’s house!
This devotional is the Tuesday, December 31, 2013 entry from the Winter 2014 edition of Opening the Word.
Photo Credit: "The Return of the Prodigal Son by Michael M. S. used under CC BY / Cropped and some filters used to bring colors out more.