And
he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two,
giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. He told them to take nothing
for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler's bag, no money.
He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.
"Wherever you go," he said, "stay in the same house until you
leave town. 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." So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to
repent of their sins and turn to God. And they cast out many demons and healed
many sick people, anointing them with olive oil. Mark 6:7-13 NLT
Don’t take
anything except a walking stick. No food…no extra clothes…no money. Can’t I
just take a snack? No…NO FOOD. Go. Jesus told them to do what He would do.
Go and announce to them that the
Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with
leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! Don't
take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. Don't
carry a traveler's bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking
stick. Don't hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to
be fed. Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and
stay in his home until you leave town. Matthew 10:7-11 (Underline for emphasis.)
They had to
rely on the generosity of their hosts. But those disciples were healing folks…so
there were probably some grateful people among the communities that they
visited. When you receive something—you want to give. Jesus knew that people
would want to give the disciples clothes, sandals, food, and a place to stay. Don't hesitate to accept hospitality,
because those who work deserve to be fed. They deserved to be fed.
When was the
last time you hosted someone in your home…a missionary or student group. It has
been several years for us, but we don’t have many missionary or music groups
visit our area. It has been four years since we went to help a missionary in
Portugal establish a coffee house, ConCafe, in a former church building near Lisbon. It
turned out to be a great coffee house!
Read about it
at… http://engagemagazine.com/content/coffee-shop-ministry-launches-portugal
Watch a video
about it… https://vimeo.com/231522621.
Pray: Arise-Shine-Portugal Isaiah
60:1
My husband,
Jerry, and I didn’t actually do much of the real work involved since Jerry fell
and broke his hip on our second day there. We saw the four walls of his
hospital room…and then stayed for a week at a local hotel while he received
physical therapy. His surgeon was the greatest hip surgeon in Portugal, Dr.
Pinto, and Jerry had a terrific physical therapist, Magdalena, who actually
taught him basically how to walk again. We can certainly say that the
hospitality of the Portuguese people was genuinely kind and good. The ConCafe
happened without us—and is doing well in meeting the spiritual needs of the
Mercedes community. God had a great idea in establishing the ConCafe there. He
is there—just as He was with the disciples that Jesus sent out. God is with you…wherever
you are. Just take your walking stick.
Prayer
~ Jesus…just as You sent out Your disciples…here am I—send me…into my
neighborhood, my community. There are people in need of a smile, encouragement
and Your love right here. We don’t have to go half-way round the world to
minister to other for You. Here am I…send me—I’ve got great walking sticks
ready to go.
Daily
Bible Reading: Psalms 50, 53, 60, 75
© 2018 Text by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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