Time to Believe

Later, He appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had been resurrected. Then He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak with new languages; they will pick up serpents, if they should drink anything deathly, it will not harm them, they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well." Mark 16:14-18

I wonder what form the rebuke took? In the gospel we have seen Jesus rebuke the Pharisees and it was tough. When we see Jesus rebuke His disciples about who will be greater in the kingdom, it is more a teaching rebuke, a patient rebuke.

When my God has rebuked me it is a loving, revelatory, patient rebuke. For which I am grateful. I have experienced violent, impatient rebuke over the years and this is probably more your experience. It is wrong to assume our Lord is no better.

Jesus then goes on to commission His team, telling them what they will do, and be able to do in His name. This would probably astonish them because they were not yet baptised in the Holy Spirit and do not know how different they will be.

Today we have all that is available: the baptism in water and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads us in to all truth, empowers us, comforts us, guides us, draws us to the Saviour.

Feeling inadequate dies not mean you are. All the power of the Godhead dwells in you, if you believe. Time to believe! No weapon formed against you shall prosper! Amen!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who Rules?

The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers, I will pout out my fury on them like water. Hosea 5:10 World leaders of church and state are now all highly visible. When they are not open to consultation or do not listen they make judgements that are judged as foolish by both God and man. In Australia we just celebrated Australia Day and at this time various people are honoured for their contribution to society. Our Prime Minister, Mr Abbott, without consultation, conferred a knighthood on the Queen of England's husband, Phillip. Almost to a person, Australians judged this to be foolish. Even supporters have now distanced themselves. Imagine what it is like when church leaders follow their own emotions or the emotions of their people and change what is acceptable to God. For example, no longer considering adultery something that precludes a man from ministry. We might think we are clever, but actually going with a sinful flow. Where is God in all this? My emotions ar...
Read more

Know Your Sword!

So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "if you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He will give His angels orders concerning You, to protect you, they will support You with their hands, so that you will not strike Your foot against a stone.' And Jesus answered him, "it is said: 'do not test The Lord your God." And the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time. Luke 4:9-11 In this third test Satan quoted scripture but Jesus knew His scripture and was not going to be deceived by his enemy twisting the truth. I am amazed at what Satan tempted Jesus with. He did not know Christ. He had succeeded in tempting the first Adam yet he was thwarted in this attempt. Jesus had lived 30 years and been tutored in godliness with contentment, he was prepared, baptised in the Spirit and sold out to the Father's purpose. Every time our enemy comes against us we ...
Read more

Little Things Grow

The boy's mother said to Elisha, "as The Lord lives and you yourself live, I will not leave you. So he got up and followed her. 2 Kings 4:30 The Shunamite woman had travelled to Mt Carmel to find Elisha after the death of her son. Although Elisha had sent his servant Gehazi to the boy with his staff the woman had come to find Elisha and was not leaving without him. I like this lady's spirit. I am sure The Lord God Almighty also valued her heart. She had a heart for God and made room for Him in her world. Now, having lost her son she knew what to do: find Elisha and not let him go until he came to restore her son. What made the Shunamite woman believe that Elisha could raise her son? Was it the same faith that made her provide him a place to stay in her home? I believe it was God working in her life. I am grateful for her faith, I can read and be encouraged. We do not know her name yet her story lives in scripture. What a little thing it was to feed Elisha and then provide ...
Read more