Tag: kingdom at hand
Seek the lost sheep!
Scripture reading for July 29th: Joel, Matthew 10
Matthew 10: 1, 5-8 “And He called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. . . . These twelve Jesus sent out instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. An proclaim as you go, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.”
In response to their own praying to Father God for laborers to go into His harvest field, Jesus now instructs His twelve chosen disciples, including Judas, to go out to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. They were to go proclaiming the kingdom of heaven was at hand–now appearing in Christ and those who were His disciples. Not only that, they were given authority to heal all sickness and diseases and to cast out demons in demonstration of God’s kingdom authority and compassionate rule. They were especially sent to lost sheep–those Israelites in need of compassion and harassed by Satan and sickness and sin.
Matthew 10:40 “Whoever receives you receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him Who sent Me.”
Prayer: Father God, Your amazing mission of saving the lost sheep and using those You call and equip is dear to me. Thank You for those You used in my life to declare God’s kingdom and to minister healing and deliverance. Thank You that all benefits in the Kingdom are received by grace through faith–they can’t be bought or bargained for. I am in awe that though my witness, I represent You to lost people like the prophets of old and the disciples of our Lord!
Joel 2:12 “”Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster.””