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confess

Matthew 10:30-33
"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."

This week we have studied Hagar in Genesis. A woman who was a slave. She was made a surrogate by her mistress. She was abused. She ran away. She at times felt unseen. But then she is FOUND by GOD. SEEN by GOD! This bloodline that comes through Hagar goes on to become original tribes of the Arab people! They are very nomadic in character and fiercly independent. Hagar's son will be named ISHMAEL, as God directed. 

Sometimes people differentiate between Jesus and the God of the Old Testament. If we read carefully we will see that they are in fact one GOD! Even before the chosen people were created GOD was only asking for people to believe and be faithful. This event with Hagar shows us how much GOD cares for people! And, for today's verses we turn to the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus says; "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall CONFESS ME before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven." 

"CONFESS" here means to own; to acknowledge; to declare to be true, or to admit or assent to in words. This is the opposite to DENY. JESUS asks us to be transparent with the world that we belong to Him. JESUS want is to show our faith and allegiance to Him. We will be asked verbally and non-verbally again and again by the world. We have many opportunities to "CONFESS" our belief.

These daily devotionals are inspired by the sermon at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg Texas. Watch it here... https://www.youtube.com/live/c9rrxriykzk?feature=share
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