Tuesday, September 9, 2014

provision and power and purpose

Mark 6:6
Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people. 7 And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. 8 He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler's bag, no money. 9 He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.
10 "Wherever you go," he said, "stay in the same house until you leave town. 11 But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate."
12 So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. 13 And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.
Jesus highlights three "p" words in this story from Mark, chapter 6. He gives his disciples "purpose" when He sends them out to preach to message of repentance and return to God. He gives them "provision" when He tells them not to take food, money or clothing but to depend on others (in other words to trust the Lord for their needs and to allow their purpose to pave the way for their provision). He gives them power to minister...do do miraculous healings and deliverances. And they experience all this in pairs so that the experience is shared and the spiritual growth the disciples realize is reinforced and affirmed in each other's life. This seems to be an early picture of the "Great Commission" that the church is given at the end of Christ's earthly ministry. Have you responded to His call to go, with others, in a similar way...to trust in His provision, make His Purposes your purposes and become a vessel for His power? I think this is still our calling today!
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blessings,
Rob Smith

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