Verse of the Day 6/4

Through the Bible - 2 Chronicles 16-18, John 15:18-16:16

Good morning,
Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we, as Christians, were "created in Christ Jesus to do good works". These good works can take many forms. Often they can spring out of small groups and various types of ministries such as missions or jail ministries.
But the work of us as individuals within these groups and the groups themselves wont amount to anything for Christ without the power of Christ working in and through them.
Being created in Christ Jesus is being called by Jesus, to do something.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer in "The Cost of Discipleship" writes, "All the activity of the disciples is subject to the clear precept of the Lord. They are not left free to choose their own methods or adopt their conception of their task. Their work is to be Christ work, and therefore absolutely dependent on the will of Jesus."
Today's verse comes from Matthew 10 where we have the listing of the original 12 Apostles were called.
Matt 10:1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. NKJV
Regarding "gave them power" Bonhoeffer writes, "for the power is all important. It is not a word of doctrine that they receive, but effective power, without which the work could not be done. They need a power stronger than that of the Prince of this world, the devil. The disciples know the devil's power well enough, although it is his cleverest trick to deny his power and to pretend he does not exist. It is this supreme cunning of his that must be countered: he must be brought to light, and overcome through the power of Christ. In this work the apostles stand by the side of Christ Himself, and help him to do his work. So Jesus imparts to them a share in the highest gift he possesses, his power over unclean spirit s, and over the devil who has taken possession of the human race. In virtue of this commision the disciples have become like Christ. They do the works of Christ.
No power in the world could have united these men for a common task, save the call of Jesus. But that call transcended all their previous divisions, and established a new and steadfast fellowship in Jesus."
Think again of your ministry team, your small group or other Christian group. When you look at all of our backgrounds, what else would have, could have united us like the power of Christ. United us "to do good works" that He has given us to do.
In Christ,
Mike

Matt 10:1-16
10 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
Sending Out the Twelve
(Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6)
5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying,'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.
11 "Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 12 And when you go into a household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!