Daily Prayer 3.6.14 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere. – Luke 9:1-6 The Twelve began a new phase of their call to discipleship when Jesus sent them out to act and speak in His name. This first missionary journey would be a test run, a prototype of the much longer trips they would make and the lifestyle they would assume once Jesus had gone back to the Father and they held the reins of the Kingdom movement in their hands. On this first trip they would learn to venture out in perfect faith, taking along nothing but the accounts of the things they’d seen Jesus do, the teachings they’d heard Him give, and the power to deliver, through healing, a preview of His plans for salvation. On this trip they would sharpen their skills as evangelists and hone the stories that would eventually become the Gospels we hold in our hands today. To step out on this trip took guts, but the Twelve were ready and eager to go because Jesus had prepared them and they trusted Him perfectly. The season of Lent is upon us, a time when we disciples are called to put aside one dear material prop whose absence will remind us of our general need loosen our dependence on things of the flesh lean more fully on the Holy Spirit for sustenance and direction. But while our time in Lent involves subtraction, it also demands the addition of a renewed commitment to the adventure of discipleship, a journey in which we show and tell and live out all we know of Jesus for anyone who will listen. Good morning, all! Please pray for these folks today: McCord family friend Anderson, who has experienced kidney failure. His condition has improved slightly, but he is in dire need of our prayers. Sieling family friend Denny who has been in the hospital for many weeks fighting pneumonia which has compromised the function of many internal organs, including his single, transplanted kidney. Please include his wife Gail in your prayers as well. Dan, whose eye is still healing, and his wife Tracy who is juggling a new job that entails moving the family to a new city, for God’s strength and support. All those whose prayers were lifted up at the Ash Wednesday service last night. “Jesus, I am always grateful that You are my friend; now make me bold to embrace You as my leader. Help me step out in faith and be an evangelist, spreading the good news of Your hope and healing to all, especially any children in my charge. Let this season of Lent be a time of repentance, renewal and re-discovery of Your Spirit in me. Amen”.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 16:02:04 +0000
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