Category: life lessons

Hail, Hail the Gangs All Here!

“One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. 2 Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 “Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes.”

Luke 9:1-3, NLT

The first step these men took is to come to Jesus.  His closeness is essential and critical.  The very next step involves our relationship with 12 others.  We never work alone, but with others who have also come to Jesus.

Jesus intends to impart vast power to His disciples.  He might of sold this “power” and funded His ministry.  (That is certainly what I would have done in His place.)  But Jesus has no intentions of setting up ‘franchises.’ He has come to make disciples.

The terrible enemies are in control, both demons and diseases.  They have inflicted the human race with strange forms of darkness for centuries.  The seriousness of what is at stake can be understood by Jesus’ response of giving out, “complete” power.  I believe that this is what it is going to take.

This disciples are not just messengers, but healers.  They fully intend to intervene into the lives of those who are not healthy.  They transmit Jesus’ touch to heal everyone who is needy.  The implications are clear; Jesus is touching, even if His disciples are the ones’ reaching out.

He reaches us in our weakness

There are specific instructions which Jesus commands, and we see in subsequent verses, that there is a basic structure to the disciples life.  We do things that must align to a standard that Jesus established.  We must do it, before we can make it.

The idea of taking with us money or food isn’t permitted.  Leave your comfortable clothes at home in your closet.  This seems to be time for us to “strip” our minds, and desires from those things that might snag us.  The athlete of ancient Greece would strip himself of clothing, to run an exceptional race, with no hindrances and nothing to trip him up.

At Brokenbelievers, I would like to think that we are hungry for Him.  Remember that He who feeds us has drawn really close is to us.  There are many readers of this blog who are well educated and competent to succeed on whatever level they choose.  But they must first and foremost be disciples of the Lord Jesus.  That means we are those who chose to be under His direction.

^

ybic, Bryan

Check out my other sites: http://www.psalmslife.com and http://www.crossquotes.org. Thanks!

Related articles

Catching Light

Early this morning I sat on the deck drinking my coffee. It’s Alaska, and although the snow is gone it was still 32 F. It’s clear and crisp. I could hear the cranes on Beluga Lake nearby. I truly love it when the sun makes its entrance– everything seems to wake-up, either to sing or just to catch the light.

The bare trees still have a purpose. I suppose they’re just waiting. They warm themselves. I’d like to think they are content to be in this season. (They must, because none have left :-) ). They seem to glow when the sunlight meets their bark and branches. I’m thinking a dozen things all at once– kind of like an old coffee percolator.

Today is an eventful day for me. I’ll be flying all the way up to Anchorage to see a neurologist. He is supposed to tell me about my tumor, and all the odd peripherals which come with it. The MRI shows something, but no one here will give me a straight answer. Maybe they can’t, I don’t know.

It’s like I’m a tree catching and absorbing the light. It has been given to me for this moment. It is a blessing and a joy. And I too am waiting.

“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
    which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.”

Proverbs 4:18, NLT

ybic. Bryan

Long Furrows

The Plowers

“Many a time they have afflicted me
from my youth;
Yet they have not prevailed against
me.
The plowers plowed on my back;
They made their furrows long.”

Psalm 129:2-3

The farmers here have begun making long furrows.

Lord, help us trust our deep afflicted places to you, that You may plant good in them.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

^

He Prevails

potato-hot.com
potato-hot.com

From our youth
they have afflicted

yet somehow
they have failed

though pushed down
and plowed long

His will for us
prevails.

flourishx

With Love,

Debbie

Deb’s blog can be found and read at: http://iftodaywehear.wordpress.com/

Related articles

For The Work, For Our Lord

A Leader's Prayer
A Leader’s Prayer

Lord God, you have placed me in your church.

You know how unsuitable I am. Were it not for your guidance I would have brought everything to destruction. I wish to give my heart and mouth to your service. I desire to teach your people, and long to be taught your work.

Use me as your workman, dear Lord. Do not forsake me; for if I am alone I shall bring all to nought. Amen.

***

A written prayer by Martin Luther, (b. November 10, 1483 – d. February 18, 1546) Catholic Monk, Reformer, Theologian, Writer.

________________

Some General Quotes by Luther:MartinLuther

“Faith is a living and unshakable confidence, a belief in the grace of God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake.”

“So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: “I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!”

“Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God. Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved. Now choose what you want.”

“In our sad condition our only consolation is the expectancy of another life.”

Visit CrossQuotes for more– http://crossquotes.org/category/martin-luther/

*

Related articles