Disciples sent out to preach and to heal

PRAYER PRACTICE

Prayer Journal – To begin your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer to God. Not sure what to write? Try using ACTS to frame your prayer. Begin with adoration for who God is. Then move on to confession – being real about where you have fallen short in the last day or two. Give thanks to God for all that He gives (including forgiveness for the sin you just confessed!). And then finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. When you are done, tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.

DAILY READING

Luke 9:1-62

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Faith Based Journey

by Nancy Gleeson

Have you heard of those romantic getaways when a husband surprises his wife by picking her up at the office to take her straight to the airport? He’s packed her suitcase with everything she will need at this secret destination. I’m sorry but who could honestly trust their husband to know what they would need on a mystery vacation?

Jesus wanted to do just that! He knew his disciples would realize they could trust in him to provide for their needs if they were sent empty handed to travel from village to village relying only on the hospitality of people they hadn’t even met. He instructed these men to go out to spread the gospel and commissioned them with the power to heal the sick and to cast out demons.

The disciples were to enter each village, knock on a door, and announce their message to the resident. If they were welcomed in, the home would become the hub of their ministry and the homeowner would provide their room and board. If they were turned away, they were to travel onto the next destination and the entire village would be abandoned. This was an opportunity for them to trust in Jesus’ power and faithfulness, especially when He was absent. Jesus oversaw every detail and upon the disciples’ return, His divine provision was demonstrated once again.

Having just found a secluded place where the disciples could tell Jesus of their travels, they were interrupted by people who had heard of Jesus' location.  These people had not planned what they would eat or drink because they wanted nothing more than to find their Savior. The disciples (who had just been the recipients of other peoples’ compassion, BTW) wanted to rest privately with Jesus, and so they suggested these people be sent home to get something to eat.  They saw this problem as belonging to the people, but Jesus made the needs of the people a problem for the disciples!

Again the disciples were instructed to take action before they knew how Jesus would provide. They weren’t very optimistic when they learned there were only five loaves and two fish, but they obeyed Jesus and gathered the people into groups of fifty. Not only did the disciples witness Jesus feeding more than 5000 people, but there were exactly 12 full baskets of food remaining, enough for each of the disciples to eat, too! What a beautiful illustration of our Lord’s promise of provision. He worked through the disciples because they obeyed Him based only on faith.  

Let us trust not only in Jesus’ power but in his faithfulness remembering that Jesus does for us what we need most. Dying on the cross, he takes away our sins. I know that when I am afraid to let go and let God, I find the assurance I need by looking back at what Jesus has already done for me.

Father,

You are the Almighty God who takes care of your children. Thank you for never giving up on me. I know I should not worry or try to take control. Please help me to see where I am getting in your way. Never stop pursuing me because I need you more than I may show. I want to rely on you and to rest in your power, completely.  Amen.