JESUS SPEAKING
Then He called his twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And he said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money. Whatever house you enter stay there, and from there depart. And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. (Luke 9: 1-6.)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
Jesus first gave the disciples his power and authority, and sent them out; those who didn’t receive the disciples rejected the Christ who sent them (many today still reject those who come to them with his message.) Jesus desired the disciples to rely on God for provision. They were not allowed to take a bag or extra clothing (as many do when traveling.) They were forbidden to take food for themselves. They were instructed to leave without money, and to travel without a staff (for protection.) The disciples were learning to trust solely in God for their provision.
In another portion of scripture, Jesus interacted with a very wealthy man who desired to follow him. The man found himself in a dilemma when Jesus told him to first sell everything that he possessed. The man left sorrowful, because he chose the security of his riches over the eternal life. After the man departed, Jesus said to the crowd, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God.” The wealthy learn to trust in their riches rather than in God. The world promotes self-reliance, but those who are alive in Christ learn to rely on him.
Today, when a problem arises in your life, what do you turn too? When you lose a job, do you spend time in prayer, or do you spend time at the local pub. When you need something, do you stretch out to others before stretching out to God? When you are feeling rejected, do you look for a relationship, or does God become the love of your life. God is pleased when you lean on him; when you rely on him; when you trust in him. Give God the proper place in your life; He is just waiting […] yearning to provide you with whatever you need, all you need to do is ask.
“Lord Heavenly Father, we lift You up, and we praise You and we thank You for Your goodness. Father, please provide for our needs, and help us to trust in You and not in ourselves or others. Show us areas where we need to make You our strength, and take away those things that we are trusting in outside of You. We desire to do Your will, and to carry Your message in to the lives of others. We need You to guide us, and to give us the words to speak; so use us Lord to do Your will, in this place. We love You, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.
Jesus Speaks 