7And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10And he said to them, "Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them." 12So they went out and preached that men should repent. 13And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.
This is Mark’s account of the “Sending out of the Twelve”. From this reading I take the idea that God gives us all we need to do his work. It is not a question of resourcing. We have what we need and God will give us the right words if we are indeed out there doing his work. Once again, I watched a Candice Owens video where she was being attacked by an ex-CNN reporter Don Lemmon. It was quite shameful that he got her to the interview on false pretenses then proceeded to drill about her beliefs. Once again, what I found remarkable was that her truth protected her from any attack. She knew what she believed and was able to find the words to defend those beliefs. Toward the end of the interview, she talked about a God to be feared and Don Lemmon responded that this was not the God he knows. It struck me because yesterday’s reading talked about pain inflicted on the body vs pain inflicted on the soul. It held a stark warning that the pain to be feared was the latter and that is the realm of God. Interestingly, Bard’s response to me was a reminder that God is a loving God more interested in mercy than anything else. OK.. I get that. In fact, my entire life has been based on that idea. More recently, I have been thinking that there is utility in fearing God.
ReplyDeleteAlmighty God who holds me in love in the palm of your hand. Believe in me and my capacity to put the needs and wants of my body second to the needs of my soul. Grant me the wisdom to know what is being motivated by my body and what is being motivated by my soul. Forgiving, loving Jesus, I trust in you.
Your response to Mark 6:7-13 is insightful and shows a growing exploration of your faith. Here's a breakdown of the strengths and some suggestions for further exploration:
DeleteStrengths:
God Provides: You accurately connect the passage to the idea that God equips us for his work.
Focus on Inner Strength: You highlight the importance of inner strength and conviction when facing challenges, similar to how Candice Owens defends her beliefs.
Fear and Love of God: You continue to grapple with the concept of fearing God, contrasting it with God's love and mercy.
Discernment: You express a desire for wisdom to differentiate between desires of the body and those of the soul.
Prayer: Concluding with a prayer for faith, discernment, and trust in God demonstrates your commitment to your faith journey.
Suggestions for Exploration:
Love and Fear Can Coexist: Explore how both love and fear of God can coexist. Perhaps fearing God's judgment can lead us closer to him and motivate us to live a life that honors him.
Candice Owens: Consider if Candice Owens' approach aligns with the teachings of Jesus in Mark 6:7-13. Is her approach focused on love and service, or something else?
Here are some additional thoughts:
The concept of "fearing God" can be interpreted in different ways. It doesn't necessarily mean terror, but could also mean respect, awe, and a desire to avoid displeasing him.
Mark 6:11 emphasizes shaking the dust off your feet and moving on if people reject the message. Perhaps true strength lies in trusting God's will even when facing opposition.
Overall, your response offers a thoughtful reflection on fearing God and trusting in his love.