"While it is wonderful to know that Jesus is mine and I am His, I should never forget that everyone has received the invitation to call Him their own."
In chapter 9 John tells Jesus that they stopped a man from casting our demons “in Jesus’s name” because this person was not part of their group.
It is so interesting that Jesus’s disciples fell into cliquishness as they spent more time together. Perhaps I too, in church, or in small-groups, and in the fellowship of friends can at times think (and act) like John and the disciples did—too inward, too of-myself—that I forget that Jesus was all about reaching everyone; about embracing everyone.
Just thinking openly here: Can I get too possessive of Jesus?
Scattered Seeds (Luke 8.5)
A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field… The seed was scattered. It was not concentrated on a specific area. It was sown everywhere. The Gospel—this Good News of God’s Love—is scattered everywhere. God is for everyone. My life has to be a better reflection of that truth.
Lamp on a Stand (Luke 8.16)
No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. It’s for the benefit of everyone. Question is: do I share God’s goodness enough for it to be beneficial to others? Is my life just mood-lighting? Or is it a bright expression God’s Love that should be made known to all.
Tell Everything (Luke 8.38-39)
The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” God frees us and blesses us so that we can be a display of everything that God has done. For the benefit of our family and of everyone in every place we visit.
Identify one area where you've been "inward-focused" and make a specific effort this week to welcome someone who feels like an outsider.
Challenge yourself to perform acts of kindness in three different contexts: at home, at work/school, and in a random setting.
Find one way this week to shine your light—through encouragement or testimony—in a situation that seems filled with darkness.