“Stay
Together, Accepting Yeshua's Inspirational Nurture Graciously! (S.T.A.Y.I.N.G)”
By Ramesh
C.Reddy Pittsburgh Standard
May
17,
2008
Editors Note: The devotional has a background song which can be heard if you use Internet
Explorer.
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.
These were his
instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no
bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic.
Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town.” (Mark
6:6-10, NIV)”
Yesterday, I had learned about
Jesus calling, sending, and giving the disciples authority. Today, I
looked at the instructions Jesus gave his disciples.
Observations:
I asked
myself what were the instructions Jesus gave His disciples?
-
Take nothing for the
journey except a staff.
-
Take no bread.
-
Take no bag.
-
Take no money in your
belts.
-
Wear sandals but not an
extra tunic.
-
Whenever you enter a
house, stay there until you leave that town.
Interpretation:
I asked
myself the significance of Jesus’ instructions for them to take nothing
for the journey except a staff?
Jesus was sending the disciples
two-by-two on a journey to different places. We do not know how long the
journey could have been. I believe they were being sent on a mission to
at least six towns. Two of them were to go to a different town to be a
missionary there for Christ. The staff was to become a support structure
for them as they walked to the towns. It is possible they could have
been hungry too because they had no food or money. The staff could also
have been a protective measure to lean on and against any wild life. It
is also possible that it is to remind them of Moses and Aaron when they
were sent to the Pharaoh with only Moses' staff but it is God who did
the work through them.
I asked
myself the significance of Jesus’ instructions for them to
‘wear sandals but not an extra tunic’
Jesus wanted them to be
dependent on the people they were being sent to minister. The concept of
fundraising for ministry purposes or missionary purposes can be inferred
here. The disciples were not to depend on themselves to be taken care of
but on those who would host them as they were called to be a missionary
in that particular town. They were messengers of the Lord doing His
work.
I asked
myself the significance of Jesus telling them
‘Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you
leave that town.’
Of all the instructions this
instruction emphasized the concept of 'people being ministered to’
taking care of those that are ministering or supporters taking care of
missionaries so they could continue the work without being bogged down
for places to look where to stay. In essence, it emphasized the
concept of hosting missionaries to me.
Jesus wanted the disciples to
depend on a family from a town to host them until there work was done
there as a missionary. This is exciting to know and still happens.
It is also possible they could
have received shelter from a place/family that did not believe in Jesus
because they saw the good works they were about to do in the town. That
makes sense because I know of people willing to support a cause even if
they are not part of the cause because they know the difference that
cause will make. In this case it is possible non-believing people could
have hosted them too. This is all inference but possible.
I
continued to ponder the commandment and asked myself why Jesus gave that
instruction:
“When
you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town.” (Mark 6:10)
Things started popping up in my
mind such as could it be because
-
Jesus wanted them
to be committed to the mission at hand without getting burned out?
-
Jesus wanted them
to be a witness in the place they were staying?
As I thought about it, those
reasons made sense to me so I decided to look into them deeper and was
reminded of things I already had thought earlier too.
Point 1: Being committed to
the mission at hand without getting spiritually burned out.
It is possible the more places
they were involved in, the busier they could have been. That would
initiate the spiritually burn-out stage. Rather, Jesus wanted them to
depend on Him and focus on staying in one place in that particular town
and become ready to do ministry. Not having to be involved with more
than one house, I believe they would free themselves to be able to focus
more on the mission Jesus gave them. Each night and day they would not
have to worry about what place they were to stay but remain in that same
house in town. This would help them a lot.
Point 2: Being a witness in
the place they were staying.
As long as they were in one
house, they could focus on people in that household. It is very possible
those people who would have housed them may not have been necessarily
followers of Jesus but seekers of Jesus. This would give them a serious
opportunity to witness to that household but if they were there only few
days and went to different houses to stay, the relationships would have
been superficial too and suffered because of the lack of time invested.
By staying in one house they
could focus on those that were there without spreading themselves thin.
This would also give the disciples the opportunity to be involved in
discipleship making. They could have the opportunity to reach out to
those that were there and then possibly give those ministered to the
vision and excitement to do the same as they sought the Lord.
Jesus also prepared them ahead
of time to know that there will be places that will not welcome them.
However, Jesus did not want that to become discouraging or a stumbling
block to continue the missionary work they were called, sent, and given
authority for. Instead of dwelling on those that were not willing to
receive the message, they were told a profound commandment.
“And if
any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your
feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." (Mark 6:11, NIV)
Implications 1:
I saw important implications for my own life. I need to help those the
Lord puts upon my heart to help when help is asked by seeking the Lord about the situation. There
will be certain groups the Lord will put upon our heart to support at a
particular time. When Lord calls, sends, and
gives authority to anyone to do mission work, He wants them to be
provided for. Lord uses His children to provide for His other children.
I ask you
now dear friend, where are you staying?
Dear friend, you can stay in the House of the Lord serving Him forever
or choose to go your own way but the blessings come when you stay in the
House of the Lord. Stay with Jesus and you will be staying with hope.
Jesus died for you and me so that we can stay with Him when we accept
His cleansing blood was shed on the cross to cleanse us of all our sin.
We need to accept what Jesus did for us and not depart from Him no
matter what others teach us that is contradictory to the Word of God.
Jesus died and rose again for you and me so we can be in the House of
the Lord.
When we belong to the House of the Lord and are in His plans then
wherever we stay here on earth can become a ministry opportunity as we
allow the Lord Jesus to work in our lives. Friend, staying in one place
to do ministry has wonderful benefits instead of just moving around from
place to place. Jesus wanted the disciples to stay in one place to build
relationships and advance His Gospel. We need to do that too!
Speaking of staying, it also addresses the issue of commitment which I
will address using a college fellowship as an example.
I do not know what
fellowship you all are staying at or even if you all are involved in a
fellowship on campus. If you are, I learned there is so much value and
benefit in being involved in just one fellowship and giving it your all.
At the same time you can know that fellowship can be there to minister
to you too. You can also develop lasting friendships and fellowship
while you are at college as you stick to one group. Jesus should be the
anchor whatever fellowship you are involved in.
Not only that but you will be
encouraged, equipped, and enabled to do ministry for those on campus
from what the fellowship can offer you. You won’t be spreading yourself
thin but giving yourself space not to be burned out.
It is possible that
through you, new members can be discipled and mentored and then they
would be excited to minister to others on campus because they would feel
enabled too as Jesus will work in their lives through the fellowship. I
know Jesus worked in my life while I was a student in InterVarsity
Christian Fellowship before going on to do campus ministry.
Being involved in one fellowship
also gives you the benefit of their training events, retreats, and so on
that can develop your Christian maturity as a supplement to your
personal time with the Lord through prayer and study of His Word. As a
group, you can break out two-by-two’s and as the Lord leads, reach out to
the campus with the love of Christ as the Lord will empower you.
There are wonderful fellowships
on campus and you may feel that you want to be part of all of them
because each offers something different. That is true but you will be
spreading yourself thin and relationships could become superficial too.
Also, if you are involved in every Christian fellowship on campus, where
does that give you time for spending with your non-Christian friends?
The
question becomes would you even have non-believers as friends because
you spend most of your time hanging out with Christians?
"But what does it say?
"The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that
is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with
your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your
heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth
that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who
trusts in him will never be put to shame." or there is no difference
between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly
blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of
the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they
have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom
they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching
to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is
written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
(Romans 10:8-15, NIV)
May you stay where the Lord has
called you to and allow Him to work in your life and the lives of others
through you until He calls, send, and gives you authority to do His work
at another church or fellowship. Until then stay together, accepting
Yeshua's inspirational nurture graciously!
"Stay Together Accepting
Yeshua's Inspirational Nurture Graciously! (S.T.A.Y.I.N.G)/”Where
are you S.T.A.Y.I.N.G in your life?”
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you so much for sending your disciples and giving
them specific instructions. Thank you Lord you wanted them to depend on
you and you alone. Thank you for teaching me from your Word. Help us to
help missionaries do what you have sent them, called them, and given
them authority to do. Let us please be your vessels. We pray right now
for all the missionaries who are solely dependent on you to provide for
them. We pray for those who are tent-making missionaries who use their
jobs as a means to making a living but spend their side time doing
ministry for your Kingdom’s sake. We pray for those who are taking
mission trips to different parts of the world to spread your loving
Gospel. We ask you for your dear help. Lord, now I as think about
fellowships and churches, I thank you that you do not want us to get
spiritually burned out. I pray Oh Lord that you will guard our hearts
and help us to be focused on you and depend on you where you place us.
Help us to seek you first before all things and let you guide us through
your Word more than anything so we can always stay with you. We believe Oh Lord that your Word has the
answers to our lives. Help us to be the witness you want us to
be and also we pray that you would let us be mentored and grow in the
fellowship and church we are part of. Forgive us Lord when we have not
committed ourselves and superficially gone to everything. We are sorry
Lord and ask you for your help. Show us what you would want us to do
Lord and make it clear for us, for we are surrounded by enemies that
like to turn us the wrong way. Help us to listen to your Spirit and
follow you. I thank you Jesus for dying for our sins and coming back to
life to save us. Thank you for shedding your blood for me and cleansing
me. Thank you we can give our lives to you and you answer us. 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
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' 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.)
Mark 6:6-7:"What
do you T.E.A.C.H by your life?"
(May 15, 08, 10:34 a.m.)
Mark 6:6-7:"Who
are you S.E.N.T by?"
(May 16, 08, 6:49 a.m.)
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