Clarksbury Church

Luke 9:1 Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, ²and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. ³He said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. ⁴Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there.⁵Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ ⁶They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

Jesus told the disciples not to worry about their “baggage,” to travel light, not to care what others thought of them and to be bold.  This is a message that is easy to hear, but hard to live.

We don’t want to worry about the things that often consume our time, yet we can’t seem to get them off our minds.  We worry about our needs, wants and desires.  We worry about the people we love and their needs, wants and desires.  We carry guilt from the past and stress over the uncertainty of the future.  If we are not careful, we spend our time and energy on things that are not important to our present life.  Worrying about the past and planning for the future can stand in the way of living in the present moment.  If we are not living in the present we will miss God.  God can be remembered for His might acts. God is our hope for the future, but we find God in the present.

When the disciples left their “baggage” behind they were able to be in the present moment; to experience life just as it was.  When they were welcomed they stayed, when they were shunned they departed and left the past behind them.  They did not even carry the dust from the places they were not welcome, let alone spend time worrying about why they were not liked and accepted.  With that attitude, they received power from the Holy Spirit.  They were able to set aside their worries and desires and to experience God.  Through the Holy Spirit they were able do amazing things.  They were able to live boldly.

We can easily become caught up in our worries and our desires to be liked and accepted.  When we do, we fail to live life in the present and we fail to live life boldly.  We miss opportunities to experience God and live as faithful disciples.

In this day, leave your “baggage” behind.  Travel light.  Don’t focus on who likes the message that you bring to the world.  Be bold and powerful through the One that has called and equipped you for the journey ahead.

Blessings,

Pastor Mandy

When Jesus was asked “which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

Jesus said “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first  commandment. And second is like it: ‘You shall lover your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hand all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

Christian Perfection is not discovered by the acts of legalism but discovered through our love and  close relationship with God.  It is only after this that we are truly able to love ourselves and others.

During this time of Lent, I encourage each of us to consciously live out these commandments.

1. Love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

Pray Daily; Search the Scriptures; Invite the Grace of God into Your Life.

2.  Love Yourself.

• Take time for yourself. Take care of yourself.  Learn to love how God made you. Be thankful.
• Do something you have always wanted to do.  Learn a new skill,

challenge yourself to a healthier life; physically, emotionally, spiritually.

3.  Love Your Neighbor.

• Do an act of kindness. Smile, laugh, or share a joke. Be positive!
  • Open the door for someone; return a buggy cart for someone at the store;

send a card to a shut-in or a friend you have not seen or heard from in a

while; send a note to someone you know needs encouragement.

• Visit or prepare a meal and invite your family and/or friends.
  • Send a card or a care-package to our college students.  Take a care package to one of our local schools for the teachers and administration.
  • Tell your spouse, children, and parents how much you love them

everyday.  Show your love with hugs, kisses, a word of encouragement

or a little note.

• Do something extra for someone else.

These are only a few ideas.  I know there are a lot more.  Use your creativity and gifts to reach out to God, Yourself, and Your Neighbor.  It is through our acts of kindness, patience, and tolerance that people can see Jesus Christ in our own lives.

In the book The Way to Heaven: The Gospel According to John Wesley, Steve Harper states: “The call of the Christian is the call to grow.  The Wesleyan equation is this:  “Grace plus response equals growth.”  There is no point in life where we can say, ‘I have all I need [relationally with God].’”

Grow this Lenten Season – Rev. Jill Rhinehart