Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Matthew 10 Devotions by Stephen Taylor

Matthew 10:7,8

"As you go, proclaim this message: 'The Kingdom of Heaven has come near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."

These are part of Jesus's words when He sends out the 12 disciples. They are to go, to proclaim, and to do the work He has given them. We see here that it's not just about proclaiming the Kingdom but bringing it to the people in very real ways. Jesus wants them to use this physical proof to drive home a spiritual truth. Think about it like this: many could claim that the Kingdom of God had come near, but how many could back it up with healings, resurrections, and the cleansing of people both from physical and spiritual oppression? None except the One true promised Messiah! Jesus was telling them and us to preach it with conviction and prove it through the power and working of the Spirit!

Although we may not have been gifted with the same abilities as these disciples, we have been given everything we need to share His truth and love with those around us. We can say, "Jesus loves you," but until we get out there and love on them in ways they can experience Him, then will they really receive it? What good is it to say, "God cares about you and what you're going through," but in their time of need, we are nowhere to be found?

You see, we, too, can drive home the truth of God's Word through our actions each day. It's not up to us to make them believe, but it is up to us to show them in a very real and physical way the truth of who Christ is and all that He offers. Most of us are very visual learners, and we believe what we see, so the question then becomes, what are we showing the world?

1 Peter 2:9-12- But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once, you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

God bless! I love you all, but His love is more precious than the breath we breathe! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!

 

 

 

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