WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: ‘But I trust in you, LORD; I say, ‘You are my God’’ (Psalm 31:14). More than enough Leave your wallet, your iPhone and your car keys, and go on tour for a few weeks with one other person to preach the gospel, cast out demons and heal the sick. Don’t worry about Travelodge or Holiday Inn, just find people to stay with in their homes. In other words, go with only the clothes on your back (and a walking stick, v 8). How confident would you feel with these instructions? Jesus was teaching the disciples that God was enough, more than enough, to rely on to meet their needs. If people failed to receive them and their message, they were rejecting God himself. The ritual Jesus instructs them to perform (v 11) would have been well understood by Jews of the time: they were making a mistake and they might not get another chance. Preparation The disciples took Jesus at his word and the twelve went out and did what they had watched Jesus do (vs 12,13). So is this how Jesus wants us all to live today, without money or resources? No. In Luke 22:35–37, Jesus tells the disciples to do the opposite: prepare and equip yourself for the task ahead. Why the change? The disciples had proved God’s faithfulness for themselves and would now always rely on him. But the way ahead would have greater challenges. Respond: Are you trusting in any of your current possessions rather than God for your security? What small step could you take to address this? http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-06-22