Post by Woody Williams on Jul 26, 2024 8:02:51 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Matthew 10:5-15
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These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go
nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but
go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go,
proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure
the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You
received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or
silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two
tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for labourers deserve their food.
Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and
stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the
house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not
worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you
or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you
leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for
that town.
Devotional
----------
Jesus sends his disciples out with the message, "The kingdom of
heaven has come near." To some people this sounds great. However,
others don't seem to want God that close. The "drawing near" of God's
kingdom creates a real dilemma. How close can God come to you without
you losing your comfort zone. When does the thought of God's presence
bring you discomfort and unease? At some point you let God come near,
even within you. The more God's presence is near and in you, the more
you can be a vehicle of that kingdom presence for others.
Prayer
--------
Gracious God, I open myself to your presence with me today. Amen
----------
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go
nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but
go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go,
proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure
the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You
received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or
silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two
tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for labourers deserve their food.
Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and
stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the
house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not
worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you
or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you
leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for
that town.
Devotional
----------
Jesus sends his disciples out with the message, "The kingdom of
heaven has come near." To some people this sounds great. However,
others don't seem to want God that close. The "drawing near" of God's
kingdom creates a real dilemma. How close can God come to you without
you losing your comfort zone. When does the thought of God's presence
bring you discomfort and unease? At some point you let God come near,
even within you. The more God's presence is near and in you, the more
you can be a vehicle of that kingdom presence for others.
Prayer
--------
Gracious God, I open myself to your presence with me today. Amen