Through the Bible - Numbers 26-28, Mark 9:30-50
Good morning,
Over the weekend while in Floriday I played golf at a course that kept the rakes for the sand traps in the carts. I put the rakes into use a few (several times). My friend and golfing partenr instructed me that before returning the rake to the cart that I should shake it and bump it on the ground to shake off the sand from the rake. If this was not done, the sand would get into everything in the cart including our jackets in the basket of the cart along with the clubs and everything in the golf bags.
Going back to a passage from last week, as Jesus sent His disciples out He instructed them to stay in homes while travelling to spread the gospel, He instructed them to shake the dust off their feet in the homes and towns of those who would not listen to and receive the gospel.
Matt 10:13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. NIV
John MacArthur writes that "Jesus is not teaching that we should forsake people who don't immediately come to saving faith. Certainly not everyone who now believes came to that saving recognition right away. So there is a place of patience and perseverence in giving forth the gospel, as Paul urges those Corinthians yet unsaved, "Be reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:20). God Himself is extremely patient with sinners, "not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9)."
We should not let rejection of Christ and the gospel message change our faith or let it be corrupted. How is it corrupted, by thinking we must change the message, by getting down on ourselves and wanting to give up, thinking that we are not "good enough" as a witness. Don't carry the remnants of that experience around wherever you go, wherever you witness, shake it off, move on to the next person or community.
We should still pray for the person that is on our hearts, pray that a door would be opened, that a heart may be softened, but until then, set your eyes ahead to the next opportunity.
Blessings,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com Matt 10:5-16
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! NKJV
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