October 3, 2010

Luke 9:60b 

  Preach To All Creation  

Luke

Jesus said, " Your duty is to go preach the coming of the Kingdom of God".

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Thoughts.....

In Luke 9:57-62 we read:  As they were walking along someone said to Jesus, "I will follow you not matter where you go."

But Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but I, the son of Man, have no home of my own, not even a place to lay my head."  He said to another person, "Come, be my disciple."

The man agreed, but he said, "Lord, first let me reutrn home and bury my father."

Jesus replied, "Let those who are spiritually dead care for their own dead.  Your duty is to go and preach the coming of the Kingdom of God." 

Another said, "Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family."

But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."

It is very interesting to note that he commanded a 'commoner'...a man not appointed as an Apostle to go and preach the Gospel.  Furthermore, he didn't say 'stay at my feet and learn'.  He said, "Go".

As we go, we learn, and as we learn, we go.  Preaching the Gospel is not reserved for a select learned few.  We are ALL called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ...the coming of the Kingdom of God....no matter what our circumstances. 

Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:1-2:  "And so I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus - who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom:  Preach the word of God.  Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not.  Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching." 

The same text in the King James reads this way:  "Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

And the Amplified Bible is powerful in its proclamation in the same reference: "Herald and preach the Word!  Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable.  [Whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.]  And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching." 

Not surprising this is the thought today...with my computer locking me out, my computer tech on an airplane, my neighbor with a relic, and my friend out of town, I am sending this delayed (Please forgive me...Satan has been formidable, but God is Victorious!) from the public library, and, as I write these brief notes while awaiting the opening of the doors, I am listening to VULGAR music from someone's laptop. 

It seems I have some work to do....God's speed to us all!             

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Let Us Pray

 Dear Heavenly Father God, Lord Jesus, and Teacher...Comforter Holy Spirit.  I come to your presence with thanksgiving.  I am blessed to know you love me and that you have given me the opportunity to be forgiven of my sins...if I ask, and receive eternal life, if I live a life of obedience to you with thanksgiving.  Please forgive me of my sins, and instill in me the desire to be a promise child.  Please Holy Spirit, come into my life fully.  Baptise me in your fullness.  Please fill me to overflowing with all those things I need by and of your grace, to be everything I need to be for you, those in the world to whom YOU send me, and for myself.  Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but say the word and I shall be healed.  Now send me forth to do all you have called me to do and be for the people that so desperately need to hear your message...or be reminded.  Help me be encouraged to live the life I have started with you.  Help me to pronounce to the world who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are, and that they can have you in their lives, too.  Help me to bring them to Holy Spirit that he might baptise them with the fullness of your love, your saving grace, your guiding grace.  Let me encourage others...and be encouraged.  Give me and others a new life in you.  I am so grateful that you love me.  I bow down to you, God, and Glorious Love....Jesus.  Help me to always be real...be true...be right...be loving.  Thank you....and...Amen.         

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