No Charge, It's Free

Someone who was surfing the net wrote me, saying that they had come across the Daily website when a devotional I had written happened to be there, and they were inquiring about the site. I obliged, and encouraged them to visit the library. At the same time I asked if they would be interested in receiving the Daily by e-mail each day. The reply came back, would there be any charge? To this, I replied, "No charge; it's free."

The day after that I received another e-mail inquiry: a request to remove an address. That person voiced their opinion in a derogatory manner — a complete reversal of the first.

I wondered why they didn't simply scroll down the page and do it themselves; then I wondered if I should take it as a personal rebuke against the message I had written.

Then I thought of Jesus as He walked among His own people, teaching, preaching and healing. He performed miracles right in front of them and still they could not see. They rebuked Him and disagreed with Him!

Luke 10:8-12 – When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick that are there and tell them, "The kingdom of God is near you." But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, "Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near." I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. (NIV)

We can learn from Jesus. His own people rebuked Him, not wanting or able to hear the words He had for them. Times haven't changed; today the word of God is still ignored by many. So we must learn to shake off the dust from our sandals and carry on preaching and teaching the word of God as best we can.

Let us pray for those who do not listen, and instead choose other things in life, for they will not inherit the kingdom. Pray that they will take the time to think seriously about what they are doing. Time grows shorter every day. Let us think: they can inherit the kingdom — no charge; it's free.

Prayer: Lord, as your servants we go among the people through Your grace and that of the Holy Spirit, striving to deliver the words of Your salvation that others may be won for you. We do this, praying in Jesus' name. Amen.

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