8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
Big View: Person of Peace
Small View: Perception – Power
Kevin Murphy
Saint Matthew Lutheran Church – Walnut Creek CA
Observation: The Healing Prayers we have twice a month (2nd and 4th Tuesday) at Saint Matthew have proven to be an amazing Kingdom opportunity, of which I have been the beneficiary. A word of knowledge was shared with me a month ago, three days before I had surgery. When the team prayed for me I had an incredible relaxation in my back and shoulders that had been causing me pain and lack of sleep for a couple of months. They promised I would sleep like a baby that night, and I did. They also prayed that my surgery would go well, which it did though much more extensive than expected, and I had minimal pain following surgery.
Action: Thank you, Lord! We see exactly what Jesus said, when we pray for the sick and we can proclaim, “The Kingdom of God has come near to you.”
I will include offers to pray for healing in 2 different gatherings on the schedule today that I normally don’t make that offer in!
Last night at Breakout (our kids weekly discipling class) we made cards for our brother Bill who suffered a major injury last Sunday. I will keep praying for him. I will see past the fact that the world thinks this is a useless endeavor. I will practice hope this Lent season rather that be tempted to be cynical.
OBSERVATION: Where the disciples discerned a welcome they were to point out the proximity of the kingdom of God to those people.
ACTION: Today I can already think of a person where I have a degree of welcome. I am going to point out to them just how close and connected they are with God’s kingdom work in their life. I will watch to see if they want to receive more and enter into more of the King’s love and life for them. If so I will discern what door may be opening and have the faith to step into that person’s life in that way. If not. I will not take offense. I will just look for the next welcome God has prepared.
“When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.”
Observation: It all starts with relationship. Our relationship to God. Our relationship with others. Sharing a meal is a wonderful way to engage with persons of peace. A time for sharing our story of faith, forgiveness, love – Jesus.
Response: Same as yesterday. Pruning what does not bear fruit out of my life to make room for what matters. God, His people, and those that don’t yet know Jesus that He puts in my path.
singlish…a lot of ‘leh’ , &##oh6;12r&88217;, ‘meh’ etc. kind of like broken english, mixing with (rojak) other languages such as malay, hokkien, chinese etc.“like also can? understand?” hahai’ll be going to taiwan next month to 泡溫泉 ^^