20151014 KEEP IT SIMPLE

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Matthew 10:9-10 "Don't take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins.  (10)  Don't carry a traveler's bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don't hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed. 

These instructions are about trust and faith as you carry the Good News to others. They were not to have a great fund raiser for their own needs before going. They were to take very little with them, in fact they were to take the clothes and shoes they were wearing. Keep in mind that this was a short term mission trip. Never-the-less Jesus instructs them to “accept hospitality.” Whatever was offered they were to receive with gratefulness knowing that a worker deserved to be fed.

They were to present the Good News in the power the Holy Spirit provided for healing and other miracles. Zechariah 4:6 Then he said to me, "This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

I’m going to reiterate this on purpose. They were to go in the power of the Holy Spirit, trusting God to meet their needs and trusting God for the outcome of the work they were doing. This was a very simple approach and yet it worked in spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Do we rely too much on technology and stage production in our services today and not enough on the Holy Spirit? Do we do the same when dealing with individuals, relying more on our intellect and fancy words?

Father in heaven, Paul told us to be being filled with Your Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18b My translation). Help us to understand what that means and position us for empowering from and by You. Help us to yield all our earthly devices to You. I do not doubt that You can use technology to draw others to You, but I also know we must rely on Your power. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20151012 HEAL, RAISE, CURE, CAST FREELY

HEAL, RAISE, CURE, CAST FREELY

Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!

Jesus is sending out His disciples to do the work of the ministry. Along with announcing the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven they are to perform these miracles. As they perform them they are to think about what they have “freely” received and they are to give freely.

God’s grace is given to each of us as a free gift. He grants salvation, healing, life and freedom from the bondage of demons. He gives these things to us. And Jesus commands that we give them to others. He grants us His authority to do so.

I urge you to be quicker to pray for the sick. Take this command seriously and have faith that God is Who He says He is, and that you are His child empowered to do the work He calls you to do.

Father in heaven, grant us the knowledge of Who You are and who we are in You. Grant that empowering in fresh anointing today and every day, along with the faith to heal the sick, raise the dead and cast our demons. And when we meet up with someone who is suffering for whatever reason may our first thought be, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand and I have freely received. Let me give freely.” In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20151009 HE CALLS US HIS CHILDREN

HE CALLS US HIS CHILDREN

Matthew 10:5-7 Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: "Don't go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, (6) but only to the people of Israel—God's lost sheep. (7) Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

It is imperative to remember that this is the first time Jesus is sending His disciples out. It may seem harsh to ignore the Gentiles, but the Jews are God’s chosen people. The Good News was sent to them first.

Isaiah 55:8-9 "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  (9)  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.

God’s plan did include us Gentiles. But there were prophecies to be fulfilled and one of those prophecies had to do with the rejection of Jesus by His own people. See Isaiah 52:2-3. Then read John 1:10-12.

How awful it must have been for Jesus to know that many of His own people would reject Him. But it is wonderful for us that He extended His grace to all of us who have believed on Him. John 1:12 But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. 1 John 3:1a See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are!

Meditate on that for a moment. He calls you, son or daughter. He loves you. Say that to yourself, “He loves me. He calls me His son/daughter.” Throughout the day today, think about that and give Him thanks.

Father in heaven, thank You that later on Jesus plainly told His disciples to preach the Good News to the whole world. Thank You that You call me son. Thank You that You love me. May that truth sink deep into our hearts and minds. May it make a difference in how we live for You. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20151008 AUTHORITY TO BE ON THE OFFENSE

AUTHORITY TO BE ON THE OFFENSE

Matthew 10:1 Jesus called His twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.

This is the first time that Jesus sends His disciples out on their own to do the work of the Kingdom. He has all authority and He gives authority to them to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. After His resurrection He passed that same authority on to all who would believe in Him. See Mark 16:17-18.

Too many Christians live on the defensive. We are to live on the offensive against our enemy, the kingdom of darkness. We are to do so by living with an understanding of the authority we have as believers. We get to go into the Holy of Holies with boldness because of what Christ has done for us. We should deal with evil spirits and sickness with the same boldness because of the authority given us to do so.

All that being said, when someone tells you they are sick, pray for them. When you suspect an evil spirit is at work in a situation, command it to leave in the name of Jesus. Always understand that our authority comes from Jesus, but walk in that authority.

Father in heaven, forgive us for sitting back in fear when You have given us authority over the enemy. Increase our boldness and grant a fresh anointing of miracles in this day and time. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20151007 GREAT HARVEST

GREAT HARVEST

Matthew 9:36-38 When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  (37)  He said to His disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. (38) So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields."

The compassion of Christ is evident in that He pays attention to those around Him. In the verse immediately preceding this it is told that He traveled all over that area preaching the kingdom and healing all manner of illness. In His traveling He sees the crowds of people wandering aimlessly with no one to lead them. They are like sheep without a shepherd. This makes them easy targets for wolves, lions, false prophets and charlatans.

Jesus is in human form. In His earthly ministry He is imprisoned by time and space like us. There is a limit to how much He can do at any given time. Keep in mind, in this form He is teaching us how to live. We humans wear ourselves out trying to fit 25 hours of work into a 24 hour day. Jesus could have said, “Look at all the work out there. You guys are going to have to work a lot faster and a lot harder.” But He didn’t say that. He told them to pray for more laborers.

In Short:

1.  There is a lot of work out there.

2.  You can’t do it all so pray for more laborers.

3.  There is someone in charge of the harvest and that someone is not you.

In the next chapter Jesus sends the apostles out to do some work. So He is not saying, “Just sit back and pray for others to do all the work.” I think at the heart of this is, Pray, Do your best, Trust God for the rest.

Father in heaven, thank You that Jesus saw the sheep and their needs. Thank You that You see… You see us… You see all those around who are in need. Please raise up and send out more workers to lead the sheep. And give us clear instruction as to what work we are to do and where we are to apply ourselves. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20151002 JUST THANKFUL

JUST THANKFUL

1 Samuel 12:24  But be sure to fear the LORD and faithfully serve Him. Think of all the wonderful things He has done for you.

Okay this isn’t a Red Letter thing today. I’m writing this on October 2 and 10:30 in the evening. One year ago I was lying in a local hospital having suffered a major heart attack and waiting to be transported to Indianapolis to a heart hospital for more surgery. I had a stent installed that evening here in Kokomo. This was followed in Indy by another stent attempt and then open heart surgery.

Today was a day of rejoicing. I have no residual heart damage. I’m grateful for all the friends and family who came to our aid during the months that followed.

Father in heaven, today I’m just thankful. You have done many wonderful things for me. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20151001 DO YOU BELIEVE?

DO YOU BELIEVE?

Matthew 9:27-30  After Jesus left the girl's home, two blind men followed along behind Him, shouting, "Son of David, have mercy on us!"  (28)  They went right into the house where He was staying, and Jesus asked them, "Do you believe I can make you see?" "Yes, Lord," they told Him, "we do."  (29)  Then He touched their eyes and said, "Because of your faith, it will happen."  (30)  Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, "Don't tell anyone about this."

I want to focus on three words from this passage, "Do you believe?” 

These two blind men believed enough to make a spectacle of themselves shouting and following Jesus. They even went right into the house after Him.

What is your situation that you need Jesus to intervene in? Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. (James 4:2b) Have you asked God to meet your need? Have you refused to be silent toward Him about it? Are you following Him?

The answer to Jesus’ question is found in the actions as much as the words. What do your actions say about what you believe Jesus can and will do. I have met many people who have just stopped asking because they didn’t get what they were after on the first try. Keep on knocking. Keep on asking. Keep on seeking.

Father in heaven, increase our faith. Make our faith strong enough that we keep on asking. And then, hear us and answer with miracles in our varied situations. Grant health to the sick. Meet that financial need of the one who has been crying out to You. Repair that relationship that is broken. Provide that job. Grant boldness to the timid. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!