February 27, 2014 (Numbers 21-23; Mark 6-7)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God.” Mark 6:12 NLT
Observation: Jesus sent out His disciples, two by two, with a message for the people. He gave them authority to cast out unclean spirits. He sent them out with nothing, expecting the ones that received their message to provide for them. Their message was a message of repentance and turning toward God. It was a powerful message that changed lives and impacted communities. It was also a message that was rejected by many. Jesus instructed His disciples how to handle those situations as well. “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.” (Mark 6:11 NLT)
Application: The message the disciples delivered was a much different message than what we hear mostly today. Notice they were not sent out to get a verbal confession of faith from as many as they could. It also was not a competition between the groups of disciples of which could get the most commitments. They were not sent out to invite people to know Christ only, they were sent to instruct people to repent and turn to God. They had no “sinners prayer” that once verbally repeated counted as a conversion. The message they delivered was a message of repentance from sin and turning to God. A powerful message that changed people’s lives and transformed entire families. This message of repentance and turning toward God is the only message that will positively impact people, families, cities, states, nations and the world.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your wonderful presence. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Fill my mouth with the proper message You desire for me to speak. Teach me how to repent and turn to You. Help me to surrender my will and commit myself completely to You today, in Jesus name, Amen!