Corona Devo 1238

Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.   

(2) Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother), (3) Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, (4) Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).   ~Matthew 10:1-4

Whether we see ourselves as disciples of Jesus or not...we are...if we have accepted Jesus into our heart and God's Truth into our lives.  If we are seeking to be like Jesus, then we are his disciples.  

However, we should not be expecting to be granted the literal authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness (even though God did give this authority to the disciples at the time that Jesus was addressing them).  

God could do that through us if He chose, but for us today: the Truth of the Gospel and the Words-of-life found within the Bible--these are our tools for casting out evil spirits and providing "healing" in our lives and the lives of others. 

The (sinful/evil spirit) thoughts, sins, and lies that haunted us before we welcomed Jesus Christ into our lives come around much less frequently now that we know Him.  When our prayers are lifted to the Lord, He stills our hearts and minds and casts out evil spirits.  Light and dark cannot coexist together, and Jesus (the Light) always wins. (The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  ~John 1:5)

When we invite Jesus in, His presence and His holiness cast out evil, and our belief/dependence/and faith in Him bring a spiritual healing to every kind of disease and illness that we suffer.  

Literal healing may or may not come to us on this earth, but life-in-Christ secures our eternity-in-Heaven and the Bible promises renewed bodies and life with the Lord when we are there.    

~~~

Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother), (3) Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, (4) Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).   ~Matthew 10:2-4

I love these verses because the names (disciples) listed were normal people just like me and you.  Brothers, sons, friends...sinners.  They were not perfect, and they didn't need to be to serve God and to share the hope and love of Jesus with others.  

These guys were just like us.  Read their names in Scripture, but God has inserted our names in as His disciples too. 

~~~

Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, (6) but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. 

(7) Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. (8) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!  ~Matthew 10:5-8

Who should we share God's word, love, and hope with today?  God’s lost sheep... Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!  (Matthew 10:6-8)

Look around our workplace/classroom/street/team: who are God’s lost sheep?  We know them when we see them.  Go and share with them about Jesus.  

Who are the sick (in heart, mind, body or spirit)?  God tells us today to go to them.

Who do we know whose hope/will/faith is (almost) dead?  God tells us today to go to them.

The outcasts, those that others push to the fringes, or cut-out all together: Those with leprosy... go to them today and share the love of Jesus.

~~~

“Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. (10) Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick.  ~Matthew 10:9-10

This is a hard one for us, but God tells us that as we are following Him and serving Him...He will provide.  The world's financial advisors will tell us to build our bank-account, but God will tell us to trust Him to provide.  

~~~

Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.  ~Matthew 10:10

Many of us are wired to be independent and self-sufficient, but the Lord reminds us that we can accept blessing through those who are willing to share hospitality.  This might mean an anonymous grocery-drop when times are tough, a pot of soup left on a front porch, or people gifting us in some way or even hosting us for vacation.  But God tells those doing his work not to hesitate to accept hospitality.

~~~

“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.  ~Matthew 10:16

Jesus calls us to be His disciples.  

He calls us to share His Truth and hope among the (lost sheep) masses, but He also sends us out as sheep among the wolves of our culture.. It's as if Jesus is peering into our schools, workplaces, cultural acceptances, and the headlines of today when He aptly says, "Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves."  

You sure are, Lord.

But we do not go it alone.  If we are His disciples, we walk in step with Jesus and are led by God's Word and His spirit.  We have to be humble but courageous.  Strong but meek.  Full of love and full of (God's) Truth.  We must be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16) today.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com