Go and Make a Difference

15He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:15-18)

Thoughts: This is a passage that people in the West discount right away.  It talks of miracles accompanying the spread of the Gospel.  For the skeptics miracles are not to be believed at all costs.  But the spread of the Gospel itself is a miracle.  Skeptics think it is incredulous and amazing that anyone could possibly believe in healings or protection or the defeat of evil.  For skeptics wrong is bound to get worse and worse. Skepticism and pessimism tend to go together.  But for Christians- there is ultimate optimism.  Not only will we ultimately win in heaven (we believe- and the resurrection shows), but God answers prayer and gives hope right now- in this life.
     My missionary friends tell me of more and more answered prayers and miracles accompanying the spread of the Gospel- in more spectacular and greater quantities than in the West.   Read "Peace Child" the story of the end of cannibalism because of the spread of the Gospel in Papua New Guinea.  The Gospel makes a difference wherever it goes. It has made a difference in the spread of medicine and medical knowledge, in education, in freeing people from addictions to drugs, alcohol, superstition and the drabness of atheism and pessimism of skepticism.
     We are sent.  The assurance is that if we go- God will go with us- in power- and making a difference.  If God opens the door for you- go through it.  If God gives you an opportunity to speak for Him- do it and see what happens- you might just see a miracle. 

Prayer: Lord, give me grace to go, and go believing in your power.