12 May ESOCS Devotional
TEXT: MARK 16:14-20
MEMORY VERSE
“Believers will be given the power to perform miracles: They will drive out demons in my name…” Mark 16:17
Believers are those who agree that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died to save sinners, and resurrected in victory over death and sin(Romans 10:9-10).
It is disappointing to notice Church members whose words and conducts do not show that they are true believers. The evidence in the life a believer is the quick acceptance of the truth about God and recognition of the power of God when it displayed. Jesus Christ expressed dissatisfaction when His disciples doubted the report of His resurrection relayed to them by Mary Magdalene and two of the disciples…. He scolded them, because they did not have faith and because they were too stubborn to believe those who had seen him alive.”
One of the key roles of believers is first to learn, accept the truth, and spread the knowledge acquired for the purpose of getting many more people to believe and practise the true gospel message. This task is commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ and must not be taken lightly. In verse 15, we read, “He said to them, go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people.”
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
The subject of our preaching is the knowledge of God and His gift of salvation to humanity through Jesus Christ our Lord. Those who accept the gospel will have their sins washed away through the blood of Jesus Christ. They would go through the sacrament of baptism and thereafter given the Spirit and power of God with which to operate and live. In verse 16, the Bible says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, whoever does not believe will be condemned…. Believers will be given power to perform….”
The life of a believer is a new kind of life powered and governed by the Holy Spirit of God to achieve those purposes for which the Lord has called each one of us. There is no limit to the depth of the exercise of this power; it is according to the will of God. In verses 16-18, we read among others that they will “…perform miracles; ….if they pick up snakes or drink any poison, they will not be harmed they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
We must therefore decide to work and walk in the light of the word of God. In whatever we find ourselves able to do in the service of God, we have to show ourselves as true believers. This is the only way we can access and manifest the power of God. In verse 20 of our text, we read, “The disciples went and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and proved that their preaching was true by the miracles that were performed”(See also C&S Hymn 126 stanza 1).
CHALLENGES
√ Do you experience and manifest the signs and wonders of the grace of God?
PRAYER POINT
√ Lord, I believe in You.
√ Lead me in my resolve to spread the gospel message.
√ Release on me the power to do miracles, signs and wonders, and to prevail in all things, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
12 May ESOCS Devotional – FURTHER READING
√ 1Samuel 2:26-36; 2Kings 2:1-15; Luke 24:46-63
