SCRIPTURE:
“Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.” (Mark 6:6-7, NIV)

Observations:
I asked myself what Jesus did?
Jesus had just addressed those that were offended at Him in His hometown. Now, Jesus does three things:

Jesus went around teaching from village to village.
Calling the Twelve to Him, He sent them out two by two.
He gave them authority over evil spirits.

I decided to look at point 1 today.

Interpretations:
I asked myself the significance of Jesus going around teaching from village to village?
Jesus was rejected in His hometown by many. However, Jesus did not let that get to Him. Instead, He went around teaching from village to village. He did not let people’s perception or rejection of Him stop Him from doing what He was called to do. Jesus knew the importance of teaching the people so Jesus continues to teach from village to village. This is exciting to know!

Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life. Jesus was rejected but did not let that influence His calling. He knew He had a mission to accomplish and went about it. I should do the same if the Lord has called me to a particular task.

Not everyone I shared the Word of God accepted the Word of God. There have been those that became very offended. It could have been easy for me to throw in the towel and look down upon the situation. But then I would have been leaning on to my own understanding. What the Lord impressed upon my heart is to do what the Lord wants me to do and leave the results in His Hands. I have seen amazing results because of the Lord's Hand in it! I should not give up!

When I share the Word of God as opportunities arise, I need to be aware that not all will accept the teaching the Lord wants me to share. However that should not stop the teaching of the Word of God. Wherever the door closes, it could be closed for the time being or forever. My service to the Lord is to do His will as He gives me opportunities. He has given me opportunities and has encouraged me in those opportunities. Praise God!

I ask you now dear friend, what do you teach by your life?
Dear friends, there are many things we can teach. Not everything we teach can be beneficial to others. If we teach negative things to people, they will get hurt. If we are rejected for teaching negative things, we deserve it. We should seek the Lord for forgiveness and seek those we have spoken to these negative things and ask their forgiveness. These negative things I am speaking of are those that are against the Word of God. Jesus taught many things and by the world’s standards they may have seen it as negative but the Word of God is never negative but it is the people that use the Word of God as manipulative tactic in cults, etc that bring danger to others.

Jesus taught the Word of God and it did bring benefit to others because Jesus did not twist the Scriptures as some do. We all need to be careful we do not let God’s Word say what we want it to say but what it really says.

No matter what our profession we can teach by our words or by our actions. People can know what we are teaching by observing us even if we do not say anything about the Word of God. That is powerful to know. We should model our lives after Jesus Christ and teach His ways and His Word by our actions. All are called to fulfill the Great Commission. It is not limited to only those whose calling is to be a pastor, priest, minister, reverend, etc.

What we teach could be rejected by those closest to us or around us. This should not stop us from teaching what the Lord wants us to teach. I believe Jesus wants all of us to teach His ways by the way we live our lives. We can go around teaching Christ by our actions if not words. I am not ordained as a pastor but love teaching the Word of God to those who want to hear it. It is not by my might, nor by my power, but by my Spirit says the Lord. It is by the Spirit of the Lord I teach the Word of God when the Lord gives me opportunities. Sometimes we have to make opportunities just as Jesus did not limit Himself to His hometown but went around teaching village to village.

Jesus’ calling was ministry so Jesus went around ministering to people by His teachings and healings. Whatever our calling is, I learned there will always be a teaching element to it whether being verbal or action-oriented.

Jesus' ultimate calling though was to go to the Cross to save humanity from their sin. Jesus taught a Gospel centered message to people and not what they wanted to hear and that is why many rejected Him. So, what we teach if it is Gospel centered we need to be prepared to have it rejected by some but that does not make the teaching wrong if it is done gently and humbly. Jesus did not teach a prosperity Gospel and we should not do that either. We need to focus on the centrality of the Cross and the reason for the Cross of Christ. The entire Gospel rests upon what happened at the Cross and thereafter.

If we teach anything other than the Cross of Christ when we present the Gospel we are not presenting the whole truth. Let us not sugar-coat the Gospel to get listeners but let us present the Gospel as it is supposed to be presented starting with why Jesus had to die for us, why Jesus had to go to the cross for us, and why Jesus came back to life on the third day, why we need Jesus, why Jesus alone can save us, what we need to be saved from, etc.

I highly encourage anyone reading this to come listen to Pastor Tim Keller of Redeemed Presbyterian Church who will present a Gospel-centered message on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at the Carnegie Music Hall. The toughest questions that non-Christians and Christians have asked will be addressed too!

If you are called to be a pastor or teacher, you have the obligation to present the Word of God in its absolute Truth with the emphasis on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please never go away from that. Whatever passage you preach or teach, you can bring back to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Even a command as short as 'Thou Shalt Not Lie' can be presented as a Gospel-centered message with Jesus Christ at the forefront.

But teaching is not limited to the pulpit, devotionals, etc presented by pastors or teachers. But what we teach can have ramifications in other professions too! So, if you are called to be a doctor then be the best doctor you can be by teaching others what you have learned. If you are called to be a manager then be the best manager you can be by teaching others what you have learned. If you are called to be a pastor then be the best pastor you can be by teaching others what you have learned.

No matter what your position is, you can be a positive influence by what your actions teach. Jesus is always a positive influence and we need to imitate Jesus Christ in our lives. It will not be easy but He will help us through. No matter what our profession the Lord gives us His Word to transform our lives and share it with others to transform their lives.

May you come to know what the Lord wants you to teach everyday, asking Christ Himself! Amen!

“Teach Everyday Asking Christ Himself!” (T.E.A.C.H)/”What do you teach by your life?”

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you so much as you were teaching when people rejected you because of your teaching, you did not let that stop you. You went around village to village teaching the Scriptures and about God’s Kingdom. Oh Lord, we need your help to teach no matter what profession we are called into. For our lives can be a teaching to those that observe us by the way we live and act even if we do not say a word. Help us Oh Lord to use our actions and words for your honor and glory. It is not always easy. And Lord when we teach things that are contradictory to your Word please bring it to our attention right away and help us to change our ways. Help us to know that when we teach negative things, we hurt people when those negative things are against your Word. Help us to depend on you and lean on you Lord for everything. You say in your Word, despise your Word and find ourselves in trouble but when we obey your Word we succeed. We want to succeed your way. Help us Jesus! Thank you Jesus! You also remind us that self-control means controlling the tongue but a quick retort can ruin everything. Father God, please forgive us when we have used our tongue to hurt others and teach things that are not of you. Please where we have erred, restore us. If our teachings have caused a break in friendship with anyone because we spoke on our own without your blessings and Word, forgive us and restore us and the relationships we have hurt or damaged. Please Oh Lord for with you all things are possible. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for hearing our prayers and answering us. Thanks we can talk to you always. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart and finding your new identity in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I am a sinner Lord. I am so sorry for my sins. I confess my sins to you. I confess the wrong things I have done and the times I messed up my own life. I need you Lord right now and in the years to come. I have gone my own way and have not found what only you can give me. You alone have the words of Eternal Life. You alone love me unconditionally for who I am. I thank you Jesus. Thank you for going to the cross for me, for dying for my sins, shedding your precious blood for me, so I can me made whole. I am covered by your blood Lord! I come as I am and accept you Jesus into my heart. Please come into my heart Jesus. Please make my heart your home. Please live in me Jesus. Thanks Jesus for coming into my heart and living in me. Thank you for forgiving me of all my sins. Thank you for giving me a new identity in you. I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior as I believe in my heart that you died and came back to life to save me now and forever. I give myself to you and ask you to be in control of my life. Thank you Jesus through the days, we can do things together. Thanks for being my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and answered me. Thanks Jesus for changing me and helping me through life's storms and winds. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!

Spend time in His word and let the Lord speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of John! You can also check out the Gospel of Mark which are the devotionals I have been going through. Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a church fellowship and a college fellowship you can be part of where you can be part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in Bible Live Eternally!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-720-4579

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

Express Your View

.Click picture to read my dad's memoriam:

' I AM ' Series Archives:

What kind of L.I.G.H.T do you follow? (Dec 13, 07, 10:09 a.m.)

"What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat?" (Dec 08, 07, 10:10 a.m.)

"Who is your S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D?" (June 30, 06)

Gospel of Mark Archives:

Mark 1:1: "What does the G.O.S.P.E.L mean to you?" (Jan 15, 08, 1:15 p.m.)

Mark 1:1-4: "How seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophesy?" (Jan 12, 08, 11:18 p.m.)

Mark 1:5-8: "Who do you P.O.I.N.T to?" (Jan 16, 08, 8:48 a.m.)

Mark 1:9: How will you take a S.T.A.N.D? (Jan 17, 08, 11:21 a.m.)

Mark 1:9-11: "How is your loving P.R.A.I.S.E?" (Jan 18, 08, 8:53 a.m.)

Mark 1:12-13: "How do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N?" (Jan 19, 08, 12:27 p.m.)

Mark 1:14-15: How do you handle T.I.M.E given to you? (Jan 21, 08, 1:31 p.m.)

Mark 1:16-18: "What kind of P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N are you in?" (Jan 26, 08, 10:22 a.m.)

Mark 1:19-20: "Without having to P.R.O.C.R.A.S.T.I.N.A.T.E, what should you do?" (Jan 29, 08, 10:44 a.m.)

Mark 1:20-22: "How do you rate in the B.U.S.I.N.E.S.S of Jesus?" (Jan 30, 08, 11:29 a.m.)

Mark 1:20-22: "Whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you follow?" (Jan 31, 08, 11:52 a.m.)

Mark 1:23-28: "What C.A.P.T.I.V.I.T.Y are you facing today?" (Feb 01, 08, 10:35 a.m.)

Mark 4:3-20: "What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb 02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)

Mark 1:29-31: "Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (Feb 05, 08, 11:44 a.m.)

Mark 1:32-34: "Where do you need an A.N.S.W.E.R?" (Feb 06, 08, 11:16 a.m.)

Mark 1:35-39: "Where do you give your S.O.L.I.T.A.R.Y time to the Lord?" (Feb 07, 08, 11:41 a.m.)

Mark 1:40-42: "Where do you need to be C.L.E.A.N?" (Feb 09, 08, 11:00 a.m.)

Mark 1:43-45: "What do your actions C.A.U.S.E?" (Feb 11, 08, 9:23 a.m.)

MARK CHAPTER 2:

Mark 2:1-2: "What do you do with your P.O.P.U.L.A.R.I.T.Y?" (Feb 12, 08, 9:52 a.m.)

Mark 2:2-5: "What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D are you?" (Feb 13, 08, 11:49 a.m.)

Mark 2:5-12: "Where does P.A.R.A.L.Y.S.I.S take hold of you?" (Feb 15, 08, 7:42 a.m.)

Mark 2:5-12: "What are you thinking in your M.I.N.D?" (Feb 16, 08, 11:08 a.m.)

Mark 2:5-12: "What do you represent by your A.C.T.I.O.N.S?" (Feb 18, 08, 8:23 a.m.)

Mark 2:13-15: "Where are you looking for A.C.C.E.P.T.A.N.C.E?" (Feb 19, 08, 11:22 a.m.)

Mark 2:15-17: "Who do you I.N.V.I.T.E to Jesus?" (Feb 20, 08, 9:57 a.m.)

Mark 2:18-20: "When do you F.A.S.T?" (Feb 21, 08, 9:32 a.m.)

Mark 2:21-22: "How do you see your L.I.F.E?" (Feb 22, 08, 9:56 a.m.)

Mark 2:23-28: "What kind of L.E.A.D.E.R will you be? (Feb 23, 08, 10:46 a.m.)

Mark 2:23-28: "What does the S.A.B.B.A.T.H mean to you?" (Feb 25, 08, 10:46 a.m.)

CHAPTER 3:

Mark 3:1-6:"Whose N.E.E.D.S do you meet?" (Feb 26, 08, 9:54 a.m.)

Mark 3:7-8: "What is your I.M.P.A.C.T?" (Feb 27, 08, 8:17 a.m.)

Mark 3:9-11: "What S.P.A.C.E do you give yourself?" (Feb 28, 08, 9:38 a.m.)

Mark 3:11-12: "How do you fight E.V.I.L?" (Feb 29, 08, 9:11 a.m.)

Mark 3:13-16: "What emphasis do you put on your R.E.L.A.T.I.O.N.S.H.I.P with Jesus?" (March 01, 08, 9:29 a.m.)

Mark 3:17-19: "Where do you have your A.P.P.O.I.N.T.M.E.N.T in?" (March 03, 08, 9:49 a.m.)

Mark 3:20: "Where do you G.A.T.H.E.R?" (March 04, 08, 12:07 p.m.)

Mark 3:21: "How are your actions seen by your F.A.M.I.L.Y?" (March 05, 08, 10:24 a.m.)

Mark 3:22-27: "How do you handle S.L.A.N.D.E.R?" (March 06, 08, 7:57 a.m.)

Mark 3:28-30: "What is your V.I.E.W of Jesus?" (March 07, 08, 8:18 a.m.)

Mark 3:31-34: "What do you do with God's Will?" (March 08, 08, 8:45 a.m.)

CHAPTER 4:
Mark 4:1-20: "What do P.A.R.A.B.L.E.S mean to you?" (March 10, 08, 7:15 a.m.)

Mark 4:1-20: "What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb 02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)

Mark 4:1-20: "Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March 11, 08, 9:32 a.m.)

Audio: "Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March 11, 08, 11:05 a.m.)

Mark 4:21-23: "What kind of L.A.M.P will you be?" (March 12, 08, 9:40 a.m.)

Audio: "What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08, 10:11 a.m.)

"What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08, 8:52 a.m.)

John 12:12-15: "How can you B.L.E.S.S the Lord?" (March 17, 08, 1:25 a.m.)

Philippians 2:8: "What does the C.R.O.S.S mean to you?" (March 20, 08, 1:16 p.m.)

"How do you handle D.O.U.B.T.S?" (March 25, 08, 12:36 p.m.)

Mark 4:24-25: "What do you do with what you H.E.A.R?" (March 31, 08, 8:39 a.m.)

Mark 4:26-29: "What do you do with the W.O.R.D of God?" (April 05, 08, 10:18 a.m.)

Mark 4:30-34: "What do you do with the S.E.E.D?" (April 07, 08, 11:48 a.m.)

Mark 4:35-41: "What are the S.T.O.R.M.S in your life?" (April 08, 08, 11:52 a.m.)

CHAPTER 5:

Mark 5:1-13: "Where is your T.O.R.M.E.N.T coming from?" (April 09, 08, 11:50 a.m.)

Mark 5:14-17: "Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (April 11, 08, 11:46 a.m.)

Mark 5:14-17: "What do people R.E.P.O.R.T about you?" (April 12, 08, 11:00 a.m.)

Mark 5:18-19: "What makes you A.F.R.A.I.D of Jesus?" (April 14, 08, 10:40 a.m.)

Mark 5:18-19: "Will you T.E.L.L others about Jesus?" (April 15, 08, 11:32 a.m.)

Mark 5:20: "What do you do with your T.E.S.T.I.M.O.N.Y?" (April 16, 08, 12:03 p.m.)

Proverbs 17:4: "What does G.O.S.S.I.P do to you?" (April 17, 08, 6:52 p.m.)

Exodus 12:5,7,11,13-14: "How do you know judgment will P.A.S.S.O.V.E.R you?" (April 24, 08, 9:26 a.m.)

Mark 5:21: "Why will you G.A.T.H.E.R before Jesus?" (April 28, 08, 9:36 a.m.)

Mark 5:22-24: "What place do you give P.R.A.Y.E.R in your life?" (April 29, 08, 7:51 a.m.)

Mark 5:24b-29: “Unclean Now? Christ’s Leading Everyday Always Nurtures! (U.N.C.L.E.A.N)" (May 05, 08, 10:24 a.m.)

Mark 5:30-34: “Forever, Redeemer Everyday Excitingly Delivers Omnipotent Message!(F.R.E.E.D.O.M)” (May 05, 08, 10:24 a.m.)

Mark 5:35-37: “Timing Is Messiah’s Involvement Nurturing Graciously! (T.I.M.I.N.G)” (May 07, 08, 10:07 a.m.)

Mark 5:35-42: "What place do you give G.O.D.S W.I.L.L in your life?" (May 08, 08, 9:33 a.m.)

CHAPTER 6:

Mark 6:1-2:"Where do you seek W.I.S.D.O.M for your life?" (May 09, 08, 10:31 a.m.)

Mark 6:2-3:"What do you do with your C.A.L.L.I.N.G in life?" (May 10, 08, 9:43 a.m.)

Mark 6:2-3: "Who/Where is your I.D.E.N.T.I.T.Y found in?" (May 12, 08, 8:45 a.m.)

Mark 6:4: "When do you feel A.C.C.E.P.T.E.D in your life" (May 13, 08, 8:21 a.m.)

Mark 6:4-6: "How is your F.A.I.T.H in the Lord?" (May 14, 08, 8:01 a.m.)

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“Teach Everyday Asking Christ Himself!" (T.E.A.C.H)”

By Ramesh C.ReddyPittsburgh StandardMay 15, 2008

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EXPRESSIONS

By Ramesh C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard

May 15, 2008