ESOCS Devotional 27 August 2024 – Power to Redeem
MEMORY VERSE: “Jesus called the twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and cure diseases.” Luke 9:1 GNV
TEXT: LUKE 9:1-9
Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.
4 “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
6 So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, 8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. 9 Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional Here
The mission we have as believers and followers of Jesus Christ is to bring full redemption to people who came to us or those whom encounter us.
It starts with answering the call to serve. It is not a call to serve alone but one to serve with others. Verse 1 of our text says, “Jesus called the twelve together….” It follows that whatever the Lord calls you to do, you must be prepared to walk and work with others in unity.
We do not work with our power. The power is given to us by Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit (John 1:12). It is, therefore, expected that we must use His power according to His will. We are ministers with portfolios. When a President appoints ministers, he expects them to carry out the mandate given to them. In like manner, God expects us to do His will in the assignment given to us in the Kingdom service.
The task is to preach the gospel and then heal the sick and drive out the demons. But you have to receive the gospel message first, imbibe and practise it, and then preach and witness it to people. Subsequently, you will experience the power of healing and freedom from evil powers working through you. You cannot reject the gospel message or disregard the preaching of the gospel and expect to receive the power of healing and deliverance from God. Faith in the word of God and proclaiming it is the path to Divine power and redemption (Romans 10:9, 10).
Those who manifest the power of God through the gospel message must not do so with intentions to amass benefits from receivers of miracles and adherents. Jesus warned the disciples not to go with the beggar’s bag on the journey (Luke 9:3).
However, God’s chosen and commissioned workers do not go hungry. God provides for them. He will make a way where there is no way (Luke 9:3-5).
It should also be noted that we should not do anything to force people to believe or follow us. It is a matter of choice. Deal with those who receive you and ignore those who reject you (Luke 9:5).
The sum of it all is that if we partner and work in unity, our achievement will ring a bell in society. Many more souls will come to the Lord (Luke 9:6-9).
- How do we get to experience the Grace of signs and wonders in the name of the Lord?
- May I receive the grace to receive and believe the word of God, in Jesus name. Amen.
Further Reading: Judges 9:1-21; Nehemiah 4:1-14; Acts 24:1-23
ESOCS Devotional 27 August 2024
