Luke 9:49-50
John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.”
50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”
For Jesus. This is wisdom. And comes with Biblical advice. The Exodus was like the circumstances of Jesus, John recorded so many amazing circumstances surrounded Jesus, the world could not hold all the books of His days. And the advice given to Joshua, was, of course, "Not to the right or the left, be confident and trust in God." Jesus gave similar advice, He said, "Be Salt. Be Light." Jesus was not an advocate of extremism. Jesus said be welcoming, say yes, follow the Words of God in the Spirit of truth, mercy and love. Father God rejoices more in Thanksgiving, Gratitude, than sacrifice.
What did Jesus look for in the "LIFE" He gave His Disciples?
Unfortunately, only sinners were available for Jesus' service.
John is known for his love and loyalty.
James, Joses, Simon, and Judas were given time to journey to spiritual maturity. Seen for potential, and the diligence of traveling far places to bring Jesus glory.
James would climb mountains to be with Jesus. Jesus called this going the second mile.
Salome stood with Jesus, Jesus' mother, aunt, and John bravely in front of dire governing officials. She comforted and upheld. Going bravely to Jesus' Tomb with spices. Her bravery was rewarded, she was one of the first to know Jesus lives.
Open and warm hearted. Matthew was a dreaded tax collector. And Matthew couldn't wait to give Jesus a party.
Zacchaeus couldn't wait to clean up his life for Jesus. Repentant with Joy. And open his home.
Lazarus was very welcoming and hospitable. Peter was the same.
John and James were sincere. And bold to be honest bringing forth their true personalities to ask Jesus about their ambitions. Even their mother has a biblical mention for being transparent.
Thomas was going to cling to God. Where Jesus was going, Thomas was going.
Peter's mother-in-law was grateful and serving.
The SyroPhoenician woman had humility and knew where she was held in position, counting on Jesus' compassion, just as David did.
The 72 disciples were obedient to God.
Andrew was wise and discerning of goodness and love.
Nathaniel knew when God was speaking to Him and was abundant with Love and praise.
Nicodemus was careful and loyal, he was brave to be honorable away from the herd. A dangerous herd of law bringers.
Bartimaeus would not leave Jesus, gratitude, love and loyalty. One of the few. Steadfast.
Simon of Cyrene would diligently help Jesus in dire adversity, his sons lives were changed.
The woman at the well found bravery and forgiveness.
The boy with the fish was generous, and adventuresome.
Matthew 12:30
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
God says No. He says the wheat and the chaff will be separated. The lambs held close and dearly and the goat sent away.
For what reasons?
Doing away with balance.
1 Corinthians 10:14
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality.
Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are evident:
sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Romans 2
8 But for those who are self-seeking
and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil
James the Brother of Christ told us when to say No.
In the Third Chapter.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice
I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
1 Timothy 6
senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.
Those who scatter the flock. Jesus rebuked His own for trying to send children away. Flee the wolf, those who do not care for you, do harm.
Romans 16
18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Paul's letter to the Romans
29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness.
They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
What does God's Word say?
Hebrews 11:25
choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God.
1 Corinthians 16
13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.
John tells us in Revelation 9
Revelation 21:8
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
Peter told us God's Words are Life. Jesus tells us He is the Way, Truth and Life.
Father God,
We ask for Jesus' help in this prayer and for each day You give us:
You have set before us today life and prosperity, and death and adversity.
To do righteousness and justice Is desired by You, the LORD, more than sacrifice.
You have told us, mankind, what is good!
and what You, the Lord, require of us
We will do justice,
We will love kindness,
We will walk humbly with you, our God.
We will declare with our mouths, "Jesus is Lord."
We Will believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead,
We will be saved.
Isaiah 56 are the Words of our Father God
Thus says our Lord:
“Keep justice, and do righteousness,
for soon my salvation will come,
and my righteousness be revealed.
Blessed is the man who does this,
and the son of man who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it,
and keeps his hand from doing any evil
I will give in My House and within My Walls
a monument and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that shall not be cut off.
“And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,
and to be his servants,
everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it,
and holds fast my covenant—
These I will bring to my Holy Mountain, the New Jerusalem,
The Mountain of the House of the LORD
and make them joyful in my house of prayer!
My house shall be called a house of prayer
for all peoples.”
The Lord God,
who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares,
“I will gather yet others to Father God
besides those already gathered.”
We thank You Father God, "Jesus is Lord."
We gratefully believe in our hearts You, Father God, raised Jesus from the dead,
We will be saved.
We ask this Name of Jesus the Lord to cover us.
We ask this Name of Jesus the Lord to cover our prayers, concerns, flaws.
We ask this Name of Jesus the Lord to cover our loved ones.
We ask this Name of Jesus the Lord to cover our communities, neighborhoods, jobs, cities, Nation.
We ask this Name of Jesus the Lord to cover all the people of the world who do and will call on Jesus the Lord.
We ask and receive Jesus,
We believe in Jesus,
Jesus gives us the right to become children of Father God,
Amen in the will of the Lord Jesus.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †