FAITH CAPSULE: There are so many who want to be sent out, but few want to follow.

Matthew 8:18-27 Mark 6:7-13

Before a call to send, there should be a call to follow. Here is Jesus’ response to some among the multitude that wanted follow with mouth and not with heart, “Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:19-22) There are so many who want to be sent out, but few want to follow. When you fail in following Him, you will not pass into His call to be sent. In the days of Jesus, many went to Him, but very few actually followed Him. Today there are so many self proclaimed Pastors, Bishops, Evangelists, Apostles, and Gospel Singers who have not taken time to follow Him fully, but who want to turn back the clock and be sent. In following Him there will be exposure to dealing with winds and waves of this world. In following there are lessons to learn before leading His sheep. In following Him there is power to gain before getting into His divine assignment. Many have gone out in His name without power but with a program. There is a great contrast between power and a program. In power, there is no enemy under heaven who can trick you into thinking that you are doing the work of the Father. However, with a program, you are empty and He is not backing you up, because He did not send you. In the beginning, the program might seem right and rosy because of skill or earthly wisdom. In time, the error will be revealed to you. Billy Graham once said, “If the Holy Spirit is taken out of the church, 95% of the church activity will continue without feeling of what is missing.” Have you been following? Are you called to be sent? Mark 6:7, “And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirit.”   Matthew 10:1, “And when He had called His disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” Think twice before you get yourself into a position to be sent. There is a price for responsibility.

Prayer for today: Ask for God’s instruction, teaching and guidance before you make a move.