Jesus gave them real authority. He gives us real authority as we yield to him and let him establish his rule in our hearts. He sends them out with little tangible resources - the point being - Christ himself is our resource. We honestly don't need much else - God will supply all our needs according to his riches in glory. (Philippians 4:19)
When the ruler in the area hears about this small band of uneducated men and he is perplexed it drives home even more than Jesus is our resource. Many times God will withhold his power to bless our methods and devices because if they worked - we would take all the glory. But God is always bringing us back to his methods his ways. Then those in the highest and lowest places can hear - not about us - but about Christ.
questions
1) Do you sense God has called you to get off the bench of watching ministry happen to actually doing ministry?
2) What worldly methods or resources have you used this week in your relationships, finances that are not from God? What would God ask you to replace them with? (for example: this week I used whining to get my way instead of simply asking the person directly for what I wanted and praying God take care of it)
3) How could using God's methods of love, respect and integrity in your work place bring glory to Christ?
prayer
Lord we don't want to sit on the bench anymore. Your word says you prepared good works in advance for us to do. Show us your methods and help us to let you be our resource. Give us the emotional energy and patience to show your love. Reveal to us the places we have not yet let you be Lord of - come set up your kingdom in our heart.
No comments:
Post a Comment