Silence: Find a quiet place, remove potential distractions, clear your mind of other thoughts, and ask God to speak to you as you read and contemplate this passage:

Reflective Reading: Read Matthew 10:32-33 thoughtfully:

32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

Meditation: Reflect on this exchange between Jesus and His early apostles, as He encourages them in the work He’s called them to do – preach, teach, witness… What is God speaking to you through this exchange? What was the contrast that Jesus outlines for His followers?

Oration: From your reading and prayer, verbalize or write in the space below your response to what God is speaking to you from this passage:

Contemplation: Over the next day, contemplate this passage and what God is saying to you. Think on these topics:

• Do you acknowledge Jesus in your day-to-day activities? Can people see that you are different from the world?
• Do you look for opportunities to acknowledge Jesus before the grocery store clerk, the gas station attendant, the bank teller, your co-workers, teachers, etc.? Do they know you have a heavenly father – who loves them as well?
• Would Jesus have acknowledged you before His father based on your actions last night? Yesterday? Last week?
• What actions or attitudes might this passage be directing you to begin?