Tag: Jesus worked with them
Day 4–Jesus with His disciples
Scripture reading for June 4: Mark 16:17-20 “And these signs shall accompany those who believe; in My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover.” So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.”
The Holy Spirit living in us as believers in Jesus Christ is not some mystical feeling. We don’t walk around like zombies in a trance or like someone possessed by a spirit. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are empowered as children of God to fulfill our Father’s will of bringing message of the kingdom of God to lost people. We are given power to speak to others on behalf of Christ, like ambassadors speak for their native country when visiting a foreign country. (2 Corinthians 5:20) We do this in the context of our normal family relationships and in the setting of our jobs or in our recreation or travels. We are indwelt by God’s Spirit but it is not to be weird or for show or to call attention to ourselves.
As we go forth each day in our assigned tasks using our gifts and talents to serve others and God, God is with us doing His work. As we see needs, we are led by the Holy Spirit to speak to those needs in prayer and to extend our hands to serve. Jesus works with us through the Father’s Gift, the Holy Spirit, to bring tangible witness of God’s love, power, and desire to see all men served, saved, and marked for His forever family. Sometimes we come against demonic forces and are given power over them to bring deliverance. Sometimes we confront sickness and disease, as agents of God to bring healing. At other times we subdue violent people, bringing protection and correction. All that we do is for God’s glory and kingdom.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for clear instruction concerning our mission as Your children to a lost world of fallen people. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and use us to bring the Good News to all in need. Amen.
Disciples are not alone!
Scripture reading for March 2nd: Mark 16
Key scriptures for over-comers: Mark 16:19-20 “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and He sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it.”
Jesus appeared to the disciples a number of times after the resurrection to prepare them for their ultimate mission to reach the lost people of all nations. Jesus conferred His authority on them to go and preach the “good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) He promised them that as they went and preached this ‘good news’ that they would not be alone but He would work with them confirming their message with miraculous signs. These signs would be Christ’s way of showing His love to the lost and confirming the authenticity of His disciples. It would require the disciples to walk by faith and do what Jesus commanded them to do–reach out to lost people everywhere! Mark records that they were sent and then they went!
Observations for over-comers: Christians want to see the signs and miracles but are not being obedient to go and preach to the lost! We must be going and preaching the good news and Jesus will do His part! “One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of Your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and I will meditate on Your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of Your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.” (Psalm 145:4-6)