INTRODUCTION

The disciples zealously tried to insure everyone conformed to what they thought was appropriate. They proudly declared to Christ that they forbade some man that was casting out devils because he was not one of “them.” No doubt they were expecting the Saviour to praise and endorse their actions. Surely, thought they, he would be overly pleased with their zeal and boldness for the truth. The Lord’s words were likely quite surprising when He said, “Forbid him not” (Mark 9:39But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
See All...). As was His custom, the Lord followed these startling words with profound words of wisdom when He said, “For he that is not against us is on our part” (Mark 9:40For he that is not against us is on our part.
See All...). Christianity was never intended to be made up of mindless and robotic men and women.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Joshua wanted Moses to forbid two of the seventy elders from prophesying because they were in the camp and not at the tabernacle. Read Moses’ answer to Joshua (Numbers 11:16-17 [16] And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. [17] And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.
  See All..., 24-29). God can use whom He wants where and when He wants to use them.
• (For everyone): Are there some you would like to forbid from serving the Lord? Are they preaching Christ and salvation by grace through faith? Is there a way you could explain to them the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:26And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
  See All...)?
• Do you follow the same pattern of graciousness demonstrated by your Saviour? If not, why not?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to give you wisdom on when to forbid or when to allow.
• Ask the Lord to give you of His graciousness.

HYMN

BLEST BE THE TIE THAT BINDS

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