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Sunday, July 05, 2009

SHAKE THE DUST OFF

My dear fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, have you ever wondered why did Jesus tell his disciples to shake the dust off their feet if a city or home didn’t welcome them? If so, here's why as follow.

When leaving Gentile cities, pious Jews often shook the dust from their feet to show their separation from Gentile practices. It also symbolized cleansing themselves from the contamination of those who did not worship God. If the disciples shook the dust of a Jewish town from their feet, it would show their separation from Jews who rejected their Messiah. This gesture was to show the people that they were making a wrong choice and that the opportunity to choose Christ might not present itself again.

The disciples were not to blame if the message was rejected, as long as they had faithfully presented it. When we share Christ carefully and sensitively, God does not hold us responsible for the other person’s decision.

Beloved of God, the closer you are to God the more sensitive your spiritual discernment becomes. Therefore we must put on the WHOLE amour of God and not just bits and pieces. Surely, no true soldier in the army of the Lord or of this world goes to battle unprepared.

I cannot give you a definite set of rules. Obviously, there will come a time when we are no longer able to teach certain people but we must do everything we can to (plant the seed), others may follow up with additional teaching (watering the seed), but in the final analysis, only God will provide the increase. Here are some passages that refer to the sending forth of Jesus' disciples to the lost sheep of the house of Israel as follow:

Matthew 10:14
Mark 6:11
Luke 9:5-6
Luke 10:11-12
Acts 13:51-52
Matthew 7:6
Hebrews 10:26-31
1 Corinthians 3:6-9

Apparently, Jesus was teaching his disciples that if some people will not listen to the message, their time could be better spent going to someone who will listen.

Are you receptive to teaching from God? If you ignore the Spirit’s prompting, you may not get another chance.

Father,
I ask that You wash my spirit, soul and body with the Blood of the Lamb and
I curse every corruptible seed that has been planted in me and
I command it to wither and die.
I command every foul, unclean spirit that may have attached itself to me,
To loose me,
To leave this property,
To seek dry ground and never return,
In the Mighty and Matchless Name of Jesus
Amen
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About Me

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I'm just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about Somebody who can save anybody. I give all honor to the Father for the privilege of being His instrument, through whom He lives and works for His glory alone. I served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, retiring in September 2003. In my final three years, I was co-pastor at Greater New Refuge COGIC in Fallon, Nevada, under Pastor Gregory L. Brown. I supported my pastor and church by helping with a new sanctuary's construction and caring for all ministry needs while staying true to my mandate to preach the Word of God without compromise. In November 2002, I was licensed to preach and ordained in June 2003. While stationed in Virginia Beach, I served at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for 17 years under Bishop-Elect W.D. Scott, Sr., and now I serve at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, VA, under Bishop B. Courtney McBath. I also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Saint Leo University, deepening my foundation and commitment to this path of faith.

MY THEOLOGICAL TRAINING:

It brings to my face a unadulterated smile each and every occasion I am asked, “Elder Dre, What Theological Training do you have?”

My heart beams with joy at the opportunity to humbly give full glory to God as I reflect on on how the prophets, patriarchs and apostles of old would have respond: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, King David, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Matthew, Mark, Peter, James, John and the other disciples, not forgetting the Saviour Himself.

How would they have answered the question: “What theological training do you have?”

The words of the prophet Amos also came to mind: “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:” Amos 7:14

I surely am not impliedly decrying theological preparation, education or training: I consider it essential, but not as much as some think. For the fact is, the Almighty raises up believers according to His own standards.

Educational qualifications, wealth, fame, talent, social standing, outward appearance etc. are useful; but they are secondary in His sight. Qualities like faith, obedience, holiness, humility, honesty, absolute loyalty to one’s spouse, the ability to raise one’s family to fear God and keep His commandments etc.; these are the things the Most High values.

“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Only on the Day of Judgment will it be known how truly educated, weighty and effective I have been. That is why I have to smile when the question arise.

The vanity of the question is only matched by the foolishness of my answer.

As the wise man wrote: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1: 2 or as the apostle Paul commented in 2 Corinthians 11:16-30 when rattling off a long list of impressive qualifications “... I speak as a fool.”

Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 1 John 4:14-15 (NLT)

I am a preacher, but most of all, I proclaim that Jesus is the Savior with various applications of that truth in my everyday life. My dear friend, if you are a Christian, you are a preacher also. Whether you have been ordained or not, hired by a church or not, or ever been recognized as a preacher or not is beside the point. All who have God living in them are called to proclaim the Savior to the world. It is a Holy calling, and a demanding one. It will pull you out of your comfort zone, challenge your commitment, and help to develop you into the person God has created you to be.

John spoke as an eyewitness to Jesus' saving power. We speak as heart-witnesses; ones who have not seen Jesus with our eyes, but have experienced Him through personal transformation. I speak, and you speak, as a representative of Christ on earth. The message that we bring is simple, yet profound; that God the Father sent God the Son into the world to save those who are lost to bring them into relationship with Him. As you tell the story, and I tell the story, some will listen and receive the grace that God has sent us into the world to proclaim.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, what a privilege to be a spokesperson for You.

Thank you for stopping by. Stay encouraged and please do come back.