Possessions can weigh us down and distract us from more important things in life like inner peace, family relationships, justice, concern for people in need, or faith. It’s wonderful to be free from undue dependance on possessions.
Jesus sent His disciples out with the freedom to be spontaneous, not to follow a plan or a program or a discipleship curriculum. That was even before God the Holy Spirit had been given. (John 7:39)
How spontaneous were Christ’s disciples when He sent them out two by two? He told them “To take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts.” (Mark 6:8)
When they went, they did these things: “They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.” (Mark 6:12-13) Why don’t Christians today follow their examples by going out and preaching repentance outside of a church building; by driving demons away from themselves and others; and by putting oil on sick people and at least praying a strong prayer of faith that God would heal them?
Part of the reason is that we ignore the fact that all Christians have a calling and a purpose for existing. We do that by separating believers into two nonbiblical categories — clergy and laity — ordained and un-ordained. If you examine the word “called” in the New Testament you will see that it applies to all Christ-followers, not to people who hold a special religious office.
The Bible says that preachers are “sent” but not that they are “called.” If you are born again, you are called. Listen intently and persistently to God the Holy Spirit and let Him tell you what you are called to do. Then obey Him and get going without getting caught up in “ever learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7)
God’s inner rivers of living water need an outlet. Let them freely flow from within you. (John 7:38) Jesus sent His disciples out with the freedom to be spontaneous, not to follow a plan or a program or a discipleship curriculum. That was even before God the Holy Spirit had been given. (John 7:39)
How spontaneous were Christ’s disciples when He sent them out two by two? He told them “To take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts.” (Mark 6:8)
When they went, they did these things: “They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.” (Mark 6:12-13) Why don’t Christians today follow their examples by going out and preaching repentance outside of a church building; by driving demons away from themselves and others; and by putting oil on sick people and at least praying a strong prayer of faith that God would heal them?
Part of the reason is that we ignore the fact that all Christians have a calling and a purpose for existing. We do that by separating believers into two nonbiblical categories — clergy and laity — ordained and un-ordained. If you examine the word “called” in the New Testament you will see that it applies to all Christ-followers, not to people who hold a special religious office.
The Bible says that preachers are “sent” but not that they are “called.” If you are born again, you are called. Listen intently and persistently to God the Holy Spirit and let Him tell you what you are called to do. Then obey Him and get going without getting caught up in “ever learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7)
God’s inner rivers of living water need an outlet. Let them freely flow from within you. (John 7:38) If you’re not flowing with the Spirit, you’re quenching the Spirit. Too much focus on accumulating and owing stuff can quickly cause people to quench God’s Spirit. When Christ-followers gather to be led by the Spirit such amazing things happen that stuff loses much of its importance.
Free Gas for Your Think Tank -- Fill Your Mind and Your Heart With Hope 