Luke 10:1-17
I don't believe it's uncommon to diminish ourselves in the eyes of others , if not ourselves. In fact very often I think we lack good self images and we put ourselves down. I don't think God likes us to do that even if we may have done something wrong. God sees the good in us always like the doting parent that he is. Perhaps more so because he created each one of us with intent as well as love. Biologically speaking I'd say most of us were born simply of love. In any event we tend to diminish ourselves.
When I think of Jesus' followers curing people, I think of the Apostles, the big guns of the church so to speak. And yet these seventy others were sent out and people were cured. I wonder if we know the names of who those seventy were? Somewhere in the Vatican archives perhaps if it's known at all. Perhaps it doesn't matter .
Or does it? It really does matter in the that we need to realize the power God gives each one of us as believers. That's right. We have power. We could have been one of those seventy if we were followers then. Are you a follower of Jesus now?
When we diminish ourselves , we diminish the power of God and the power of His love working in us and through us. It gives you a new slant on why we should not be demeaning ourselves. For one thing, when we say things to ourselves, like "oh how stupid can you get", there is a part of our brain that listens to such tripe. Don't go there, don't say say stuff like that. It demeans who you are and it denies the power, love and uniqueness of whom God wanted in creating you. You, adorable, lovable you.
I know it may be hard to realize the implications of demeaning yourself but how can you channel the power and love of God if you don't feel worthy? God said if we had the faith the size of a mustard seed, we could move mountains into the sea. We have such healing powers from God, in the name of Jesus, that we should respect ourselves all the more.
Our good deeds, a cheerful caring voice, our listening, our mere presence can be healing to people. Do not diminish the power of your very presence to others who made need your help. You may not even know the effect you have but you could easily change someones life for the better by showing your healing love and concern for someone. I'm not sure what to call it but we have this notion that we have to actually do something overt and with intent to help others, to heal them or raise them up. My point is that the healing powers we have in Jesus' name can also be simply by caring, a hug, an intimate moment that helps someone realize they are loved , wanted and respected. Even a smile has curative powers. In Jesus' name it is all possible.
As believers we care called to love and cure. Are you one of the seventy?
I don't believe it's uncommon to diminish ourselves in the eyes of others , if not ourselves. In fact very often I think we lack good self images and we put ourselves down. I don't think God likes us to do that even if we may have done something wrong. God sees the good in us always like the doting parent that he is. Perhaps more so because he created each one of us with intent as well as love. Biologically speaking I'd say most of us were born simply of love. In any event we tend to diminish ourselves.
When I think of Jesus' followers curing people, I think of the Apostles, the big guns of the church so to speak. And yet these seventy others were sent out and people were cured. I wonder if we know the names of who those seventy were? Somewhere in the Vatican archives perhaps if it's known at all. Perhaps it doesn't matter .
Or does it? It really does matter in the that we need to realize the power God gives each one of us as believers. That's right. We have power. We could have been one of those seventy if we were followers then. Are you a follower of Jesus now?
When we diminish ourselves , we diminish the power of God and the power of His love working in us and through us. It gives you a new slant on why we should not be demeaning ourselves. For one thing, when we say things to ourselves, like "oh how stupid can you get", there is a part of our brain that listens to such tripe. Don't go there, don't say say stuff like that. It demeans who you are and it denies the power, love and uniqueness of whom God wanted in creating you. You, adorable, lovable you.
I know it may be hard to realize the implications of demeaning yourself but how can you channel the power and love of God if you don't feel worthy? God said if we had the faith the size of a mustard seed, we could move mountains into the sea. We have such healing powers from God, in the name of Jesus, that we should respect ourselves all the more.
Our good deeds, a cheerful caring voice, our listening, our mere presence can be healing to people. Do not diminish the power of your very presence to others who made need your help. You may not even know the effect you have but you could easily change someones life for the better by showing your healing love and concern for someone. I'm not sure what to call it but we have this notion that we have to actually do something overt and with intent to help others, to heal them or raise them up. My point is that the healing powers we have in Jesus' name can also be simply by caring, a hug, an intimate moment that helps someone realize they are loved , wanted and respected. Even a smile has curative powers. In Jesus' name it is all possible.
As believers we care called to love and cure. Are you one of the seventy?
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.” I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.
‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But at the judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum,
will you be exalted to heaven?
No, you will be brought down to Hades.
will you be exalted to heaven?
No, you will be brought down to Hades.
‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’
The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’
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