These are the twelve [Jesus] chose:
—Mark 3:16-19 NLT
People in God's family have names, histories, futures — and failures. They are different in their interests and their vocations. Yet they all have one thing in common: Jesus! Let's not limit our expectations or dreams for people in the Kingdom of God because of their pasts, their names, their occupations, or their reputations. Let's trust that Jesus can and will use anyone who fully yields his or her life to his purposes.
Father, forgive me for the sin of prejudice. Open my heart to see that you want all kinds of different people in your family so that others can be touched by what they see and so that your Church can be fully energized with all the various kinds of people you have created. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2024 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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Simon (whom he named Peter), James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them "Sons of Thunder"), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
—Mark 3:16-19 NLT
Key Thought
People in God's family have names, histories, futures — and failures. They are different in their interests and their vocations. Yet they all have one thing in common: Jesus! Let's not limit our expectations or dreams for people in the Kingdom of God because of their pasts, their names, their occupations, or their reputations. Let's trust that Jesus can and will use anyone who fully yields his or her life to his purposes.
Today's Prayer
Father, forgive me for the sin of prejudice. Open my heart to see that you want all kinds of different people in your family so that others can be touched by what they see and so that your Church can be fully energized with all the various kinds of people you have created. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2024 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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