All posts by markkharris55

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About markkharris55

Mark K. Harris is an officer in United States Coast Guard who has enjoyed over 16 years of active duty naval engineering assignments. He is married to his beautiful wife Vanessa for 8 years; they have three children Joshua, Andrew and Hannah. They are actively involved with our church and other community based activities. Having had the opportunity to both learn and lead during his career on both Coast Guard Cutters and high level Naval Engineering units, Harris’ intention is to continue in the Coast Guard for or beyond twenty years. After that, we will reevaluate family, ministry and career priorities to determine all opportunities that might be available to us.

I’m Going Fishing

Spiritual Food, , ,

John 21:3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing…..

If you’re unfamiliar with this story, I encourage you to read John 21:1-14 (which can be found at the bottom). I, however, was stopped right here two weeks ago when I read Peter’s declaration these friends and confidants. “I am going fishing… He didn’t have to say another word. So, I share these thoughts:

1. What does this scripture SAY about me, Lord?  

I’m not much different than Peter; I have the same trauma response.   

OK, Let’s paint this picture quickly of what has Peter here at this point of the text.  The Disciples have just been through a world win of emotions in a short period of time.  They had walked the streets of Jerusalem behind Jesus, the Messiah, the King who had chosen them by name to be with Him and to reign with Him in His Kingdom.  The entire city was a blessing, praising, and honoring Him as they entered Jerusalem, and they were there to witness it all.  It was finally coming to pass. They had been with Him for nearly 3 years, and they were about to see the thing they had been waiting for: Him to be Proclaimed King and them to be raised up into leadership, probably the highest positions of power they’d ever been in.  

Only to see that entire dream be crushed, ripped away, and completely destroyed in a night.  The arrest, the beating, the humiliation, and ultimately death of Him who they were following, Jesus.  What a turn of events; now they are on the run for having the same relationship that was about to put them in charge of everything.  Not to mention, their friend and mentor, their Messiah, was gone.  They are completely devastated.

Then now, in the midst of their grief, they find the grave is empty.  Confused but excited because this would Signify that Jesus has been raised from the dead (they remember what He did for Lazarus).  Or is someone playing tricks? Is this all a lie?  They are not quite sure what is true and what is hopeful imagination.  They hide in this room, where they are scared, they will be killed next.  Then appears their savior, Jesus.  He is alive; what relief, what joy, what confusion.  Oh, let us hug you, only to be told no, I’m not here for long, leaving, and putting you in charge.  Wait What???

2. What ATTITUDE in my heart do You want me to change?

It is OK to be overwhelmed, exhausted, and out of sorts.  You can be human!  We feel like we have to be Superman because we are Christians with a growing relationship with Christ.  We have to power through.  

Look at Peter, his emotions are all over the place.  There is so much to process; maybe he should see his therapist.  Face it: Peter is overwhelmed and does not have the answers.  Everything he thought to be true was just flipped on its head.   In that situation with a broken heart, an unsure future, and a new position he didn’t think he would ever be in… Peter does what we all often do when physically, spiritually, and emotionally overwhelmed.  We go back to that thing that brings us a sense of normal.  That place, that person, that poison, whatever it is, whether healthy or dangerous.  It is an Escape from the present chaos.  Often, that place we went to before we met Jesus.

3. Abba Father, what lesson do You want me to LEARN from this?

For Peter it was Fishing, what is it for you?  For me, it used to be women (familiar or random) or maybe food and never really alcohol or drugs because I watched that damage many around me growing up.  I sought the women for the affection I needed (and never really got as a kid). I sought someone to hug me, maybe rub my head, and tell me it would be OK.  But back then, it came at a cost because that affection was associated with sex, porn, or masturbation.  The other go-to was having a favorite food or meal (that reminds me of a time when life was joyful/peaceful).  Both actions proved to be damaging to me, my relationship with God, and the purpose He’d created me for.  For Peter, it took him back to the place where he had no faith (toiling all night and catching nothing).

4. How do You want me to APPLY this scripture to my life? 

When we find ourselves in the same situation as Peter, it is normal to feel it in our flesh first.  However, our response should always be to get to Jesus.  There is a song by Stephen Hurd, a gospel singer who used to be my first real church’s praise and worship leader.  The title was Lead Me To The Rock.  The song’s first verse said “When my heart is overwhelmed, my prayer is, lead me to the Rock (my solid rock).  We need to get to Jesus so we have a safe space to be truthful.  Peter was going through a difficult time, but his mindset was to retreat to what was familiar.  Fishing was what he was doing before he met Jesus; what was I doing before Jesus?  What brought me peace back then?  Why go back to satisfying my flesh when I have a Rock to settle myself on?  The above-mentioned song goes on to say, “Lead me to The Rock, that’s higher than I, oh Lord.”  Jesus will remind us that His ways are not ours, not His thoughts like ours.  His plans are trustworthy even when we cannot understand what is happening.  We need to lean on the firm foundation of Christ, the Solid Rock.  

Guess where Peter was now: in the same boat that he first met Jesus.  It was where he would first encounter Christ and find his faith. It was where Jesus knew he and the other disciples would be.  Jesus knows us, what we do, where we go, how we respond, and He always shows up for us.  People don’t always show up, but Jesus does.  Even though they were lost and unsure about what was next, Jesus showed up!!!  Share what you are feeling, where your heart is at that moment, what your emotions are feeling like, what you are afraid of, because when you do, like for Peter, you will find Jesus is waiting for you, arms wide open and with the very thing you are “fishing for!!!”

John 21:1-14. https://www.biblestudytools.com/kjv/john/21.html

Brothers In Christ (BIC) Golf Tournament 

God Loves You, Self Care, Spiritual Food, , , , ,

Thoughts from the weekend…

So, if I had to sum up the weekend I spent at Myrtle Beach for the BIC (Brothers In Christ) Golf Tournament, it would be this: To God Be the Glory. 

This Tournament is about God and golf and how, when these men prioritize God correctly, they can be used to Dive Deeper in our walk with Christ, disciple those looking for encouragement and practical steps, and draw those who are on the verge of dynamically changing their lives. 

Dive Deeper:

Matt 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled. When we come together as men, we are a powerful force. When we show up in numbers, the whole world takes notice. (Everyone wanted to know what was happening when these 70 men were together on one accord; they were fearful, frustrated, and then fascinated by our presence in the different courses and restaurants over the weekend). 

When we search for righteousness, the Lord is eager to remind us of what He did to provide it. He reminds us that it is free because He paid the cost and of the power when we walk in it. 

Those who come to fellowship with other like-minded individuals are always blessed. When they are opened to hearing from Christ, they will not be disappointed because He inhabits a group of men who praise and honor Him. This is when we can dive deeper into Jesus. 

Disciple Men: 

Ps 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

There were men at this tournament that were not committee to God. Some were curious about what total commitment looked like, and some were saved brothers who just needed some encouragement & practical steps that would help them apply the word to their everyday lives. They needed men who could walk with them during this short time to build relationships and would take some practical steps with them as they returned home. This is when these men who may work on their gold game pretty regularly can now work on their walk pretty regularly. Discuss practical steps that help produce discipline in areas of life that were missing. 

Lastly,

Drawing Men to Christ:

John 12:32-33 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

The consistent focus on Jesus throughout the weekend helps to distinguish the gap of life without Jesus and the eternal promise of hope that only comes with a relationship with Jesus. The real area of passion I could see is the men who showed up just for the golf and to bang out away from home. This is where God is really excited because many of these men were not thinking about Jesus, yet the atmosphere of every event and group setting is to lift up the name of Jesus. When that atmosphere is set, many of these men meet Jesus face to face and have the opportunity to say yes to a God who has been drawing them for some time. 

The week excites me, and I am looking forward to attending in the future and taking a more active role in prioritizing Jesus so that He can execute these three steps in men’s lives. 

The Backstory: Jeremiah 29:11

God Loves You, Spiritual Food, When Going Through Chaotic Times

What is a Backstory? A backstory, background story, background, or legend is a set of events invented for a plot preceding and leading up to that plot.

We should be pretty familiar with it as movie lovers. All of our favorite movie franchises eventually add one, if not more. It is the new sequel. It is where a great franchise like Star Wars wants to make more money, so they go before the movies we love to create a background of how the characters we know came to be. 

I believe that is needed here for one of the most quoted scriptures of Jeremiah the Prophet. 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Wow, what great encouragement to know that God has thought about our future and has made plans accordingly. Plans that will bring about peace and give us hope for the future. Man, that must feel good. And while this feels so good to us now, can I tell you how exponentially better it was for Israel to hear those words when Jeremiah wrote them?

We live in a very chaotic time now; fear and anxiety are rampant like never before. Both of these feelings make companies and corporations Billions of dollars monthly so there is no reason they want to see those things change. 

Well, imagine living at a time where you are living in a country where the leaders don’t serve the Most High God but numerous other Gods (easy, right; 2 Tim 3:1-6). Well, now, imagine living your life during that time, then out of nowhere, another country comes in and destroys your land, kills many people, and then takes you and most of who you know that might still be alive captive and forces you to move (walking). 

And get this: today, the distance between Babylon and Jerusalem is only 750 miles (a much more direct route). Well, the route the travelers took in those days was more along the rivers, so they had to walk approximately 1,700 miles. So you are far from home and now captive, living as slaves. A new country is demanding you serve them; they have different rules, food, and customs. Everything is different. 

But check this: not everyone was taken captive; some people were ordered to stay back in Jerusalem (some family members) and forced to live in their homes under Babylonian rule. So they were ripped apart from their families and taken miles away. At the same time, their homeland became colonized by another powerful country (sounding way too familiar, but the devil has one play sheet to kill, steal, and destroy).

Now, as you go through this transition, people are speaking and telling you what the Prophets are saying. Now, a prophet back then was their voice directly from God. Usually, the country has one or two to three Prophets known and allowed by the King to speak, and everyone listens. Well know many prophets were rising up and numerous voices were saying “Thus says the Lord” yet they were not saying the same thing imagine the complete chaos this would bring? 

Many prophets were telling the people to rebel and to try to escape and go back to Jerusalem. Others were saying stay but rebel and do only what we did in Israel. Don’t do what they are telling you to do. You do not know what the mess is going on and what will happen next. “We are doomed.” With all of this background in steps Jeremiah, who had been called and known by the Lord from before birth. His was the most respected voice as what he’d prophesied always came to pass, and everyone knew God’s hand was on him. (It would be as if Pastor Joel came to our house and told us this is what God told me to say to you…). 

First he tells them in chapter 29:4-10 to live, dwell, do life. Live the best life you can, get married, have children, dwell in this land, and make the best of it because you will be here for the next generation (70 years is what he told them). Grow and increase where you are. Keep praying to God; He will give you peace where you are and still be with you in this foreign land. Don’t be fooled by those who say they are from God, but don’t speak for him (know your Word, and no one can fool you…It Is Written Matt 4:4). In all this, once the 70 years are over, I will step in and take you back home. Then comes this most powerful voice; how much more powerful is this verse now, given the backstory??? 

We live in a crazy time; but none crazier than when it was actually spoken to God’s people. So receive this same word today and everyday to help you navigate today’s crazy. I hope this encourages you. God’s Got Plans For You and they are sooo so Good. 

Don’t Hold It In…

Emotional, Self Care, Spiritual Food

Pro 29:11 A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.

I think that this scripture at its face value is somewhat of a detriment to us as men. It almost tells us do hold in our feelings.

However, Strongs defines feelings (in Hebrew rûaḥ): from a wind (resemblance of breath); a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively life or anger; by resemblance spirit (but only of a rational being).

This word only speaks of two types of feeling and in completely opposite ends of the spectrum. The truth is we have many feelings and if we hold them in, it actually makes us more likely to be angry, bitter or frustrated. Solomon was the wisest man next to Jesus but whoever interpreted this for us didn’t do us a real favor.

Now with that being said the word for feelings here is mostly negative so he is smart to tell us not to vent all of those because that causes contention, consternation and sometimes chaos. So while I get the message from Solomon, I wish I would not have taken it so literally.

It Is Well…All Is Well

Spiritual Food, , , ,

2 Kings 4 23 So he said, “Why are you going to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath.” And she said, “It is well.” 
2 Kings 5 22 And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Indeed, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of garments.”

All is well & It is well
Both seem to be statements affirming a current situation. Sounds like one of those standard Christian answers to How are you doing? “Blessed and highly favored.” However, the Bible would beg to differ.

I found “All is well” in the Bible 3 times and “It is well” a total of 5 times. I could not help but see the vast difference in the way it was used in 2 Kings with the Shunammite Woman and Gehazi Elisha’s servant.

The Shunammite Woman offered up “It is well” in response to Elisha’s inquiry as to why she had come to seek him on a random day (not a Sabbath or Holy Day Celebration). Yet, IT was far from well, her son had just died and while heartbroken she was also angry that she had finally come to grips with her barreness; she was no longer longing for a child she was living her life when Elisha came in and declared that she would have a child. She even pleaded with him so she would not get her hopes up again only to be let down. So now with this child dying she felt betrayed by Elisha and would have to assume betrayed by God. Yet when she answered the Prophet her statement was also prophetic “It is well” as in although it is not well now it will be. And for that she received a miracle; her son was resurrected to life.

Now to the contrary, Gehazi Elisha’s servant declared that “All is well” on his way to deceive Naaman the Syrian. Gehazi was Elisha’s servant, so needless to say he was often in the presence of God doing miraculous work by the prophet. Yet his statemen, while very truthful of the situation, it was not so of his heart. He sought Naaman out of his Greed, seeking to be rewarded by this very grateful man for something he had not even done. Naaman had leprosy and Elisha healed him. Naaman wanted to pay Elisha handsomely for the miracle. However, Elisha was keenly aware that he did not do the miracle but God. Gehazi seeing just how much the Syrian was willing to give felt he deserved some nice things and tricked the man into giving him something. And for that he received Naama’s leprosy.

“All is well” because God has already declared it; we’ve seen it in His Word, and we’ve received it thru His Son. So now when we declare it do so by Faith and not out of Greed (for what you think you’re owed, you just might get).

Take Another Look…(Empathy)

Spiritual Food

Matt 26:55 …Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

I’m not sure why today these words hit so hard: but when reading them today I was saddened. Why? I’ve known this for ages; read and heard this story since I was a child. Why today so sad; maybe it’s the Empathy for Jesus.

Knowing what he was about to go through, how he was brought to tears and sweating blood 🩸 in the garden, because He knew what He was about to endure. Yet, when He needed His friends the most they forsook Him and fled.

Maybe the empathy is for the disciples, they had been around Jesus for the last three years and they were blessed, nurtured, taught and experienced life changing moments with this “Family” member. Yet, when He needed help/assistance someone to ride with Him during what would become the toughest time of anyone’s life, they forsook Him and fled.

They Forsook & then Fled.

Forsook is explained by the Greek word, aphiēmi. Which among the many things this word describes, here are a few (let’s apply them to what the disciples did and also to what Jesus felt):

To leave, to let alone, to depart of a husband divorcing his wife, to disregard and to yield up. The crazy thing is that this same word is also used to denote letting go, giving up a debt, to forgive.

Take each word as a feeling and put yourself in the place of Jesus and in the place of the disciples. Can you relate to being left on your own, disregarded or even divorced (ripping apart a relationship/bond that was supposed to be last forever)? That is overwhelming!!!

Or what about having to let go of someone you love; give up on what should have lasted , or to forgive someone of the pain caused. It’s heartbreaking…

Then They Fled; the disciples ran to safety; yearned for their Safe Place…. Have you been overwhelmed before, what about heartbroken??? Have ever fled your current (difficult/challenging) situation and ran to safety??

So have some EMPATHY before you go judging this situation…..

Their Hearts Melted

Spiritual Food

This phrase stood out to me going through the book of Joshua. The first time, it just really painted a picture of the type of fear or more like utter discouragement that came across the people of Jericho; the Kings of the Amorites and Canaanites. If you’ve ever watched something melt, it’s not an immediate process. The process of taking something solid (whole) and slowly watching small pieces liquify like sweatt right before your eyes. As if their hearts just turned to mush. All of their livelihood turned to despair. What could possibly make a people feel like this? They remember all that was told to them about what God did to the Egyptians and the Pharaoh when they opposed the Children of Israel. Now those same Children of Israel were coming to oppose them. They saw their very destruction imminent.

Joshua 2:11 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+2%3A11&version=NKJV

Joshua 5:1 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+5%3A1&version=NKJV

However, the very Children of Israel would experience that same feeling only a few chapters (weeks) later. What made them feel such hopelessness?

Joshua 7:5 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+7%3A5&version=NKJV

It was the exact same thing that scared the daylights out of Jericho, just from a different perspective. Only one other person in the entire Bible ever felt this way. It turns out he felt this way for the same reason the Children of Israel feared this day. Jesus’ heart melted like water when He felt the presence of God leave Him on the cross.

Psalms 22:14 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+22%3A14&version=NKJV (Read the entire chapter to see just a taste of what Jesus would feel this week over 2000 years ago)

The people of Jericho, the Amorites and Canaanites were terrified that the Powerful Presence of God was coming against them. The Children of Israel realized that the Powerful Presence of God had departed from them. Ultimately, Jesus encountered this same realization and utter despair on the cross. Yet He did it so that nobody would have to feel that way ever again. I thank God that I will never know what they did, because of Jesus Christ sacrifice on the cross. God declared “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” AMEN

What’s a Life Worth?

Spiritual Food, , ,

Joshua 7:21 (read the whole chapter)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%207&version=NKJV

The average household income for clerical or urban wage occupations or nonsalary employees is $58,084. Now, consider that number as you read all of this text. It’s a bit dramatic but go with it.

Achan was a typical young man in the Israeli army back in the book of Joshua. There was nothing shared about him that would draw attention to him. However, what we find out is that in vs. 1, we see “for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the LORD burned against the children of Israel.”

What stands out to me is that Achan (one man) took of the accursed things, yet all of Israel paid the price the LORD burned against the children of Israel. The act of one man brought death among them all (sounds like Adam, right).

The hard truth is that Achan’s actions cost numerous people their lives. Some he knew, and some he may have never met. The Bible tells us that vs 5 And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men. That vs 24-25 Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and they brought them to the Valley of Achor. And Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day.” So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.

These people died horrible deaths because Achan had no self-control or integrity. Or because he made one simple mistake (at least that is all we’re privy to).

I see at least 40-45 people (depending on how many children Achan had) impacted fatally by this simple act of greed or coveting.

Understanding the times may clarify why Achan’s actions were so shocking. When the children of Israel were taken out of Egypt, “the Law” was given to them; they’d spent 40 years in the wilderness because of disobedience to and failure to believe in the power of God. They saw people drop dead, be sucked into the earth, and an entire generation die off before entering the land God promised (including their leader Moses) because of these things.

This is why when you calculate the present-day value of items Achan took after the battle, it’s pretty sad. Making some rough estimations based on the weight of the items and the value of the materials, we determine:

– Beautiful Babylonian Garment: $500

– Two Hundred Shekels of Silver: $3,000

– Wedge of Gold Weighing Fifty Shekels: $30,000

The total approximate value of the items would be around $33,500 in today’s currency. That would mean each life cost approximately $837.50 – $744.45 ($33,500~40-45 people). That is less than the cost of a refurbished iPhone. All money ain’t good money, and Achan found that out the brutal way.

What is the takeaway from this? Obey God…Absolutely. Don’t covet other people’s stuff…Sure. Consider both in all of your decision making but always count the cost (Lk 14:25-33 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+14%3A25-33&version=NKJV).

Many of our choices don’t just impact us but those connected to us.

Love Knowledge & Discernment

Spiritual Food

Phil :9-11. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paul opens this letter to the Philippian Church, led by Timothy, as he would often do. He prayed for the people and thanked God for His Grace for all. In this specific text, Paul prays that our love abounds more and more, but that as it abounds, it embraces both knowledge and discernment. Now, in the Greek, both of these words mean nearly the same thing:

ἐπίγνωσις: recognition, i.e. (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgment.

αἴσθησις: perception, i.e. (figuratively) discernment

So what is he saying? As you become supersaturated in the Love of Christ, you will recognize Him more, and you will perceive His will more. You will know Him more! In knowing Him, you will know what to do and how to move. How to be excellent at sincerity and forgiveness, which will show up as you walk in the righteousness Jesus has provided us all. As you do this, God is glorified through your praise and actions towards others.

When Jesus Sends Us

Spiritual Food

Luke 10:1-16

A ton of great food to chew on in this book, but especially this first section.

Starting with the 70 being sent….make sure you read it (see the bottom).

Where has God sent us? Or where has He tried to send us, but we’ve rejected His call because it was uncomfortable?

Or the instructions he gave to the disciples that he sent out. Go in my name; prepare the way; seek peace…but if it’s not found, Dust your feet off and don’t internalize the rejection that will come, but know they are a rejection of God the Father, not us.

When He sends us, we should First go In His Name. When we go somewhere, we must use the Name in which we were sent. Jesus sent me; He opened the door; He made this possible, and only He will get the Glory.

Secondly, go and Prepare The Way. Jesus is preparing to enter the place that He sent you. Is your walk in line with His ways? Are you living a life that is clearly different than the world? Are those connected to you seeing a difference? Are you demonstrating a different standard so that when Jesus comes, it will not be the first time they notice a life completely separate from the world?

Third, Seek Peace. Don’t enter a new place declaring all the wrongs; your life will demonstrate the difference, but seek peace and live peaceably with all men. Lk 10:5-6 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.

Fourth, if they do not receive you, Dust Your Feet Off and Depart. Some will not pick up what you are putting down, and they will not receive anything not exactly like them or anything that draws attention to their shortcomings. There’s no need to battle; that’s not why we were sent. Dusting your feet off demonstrates the act of not carrying that place with you to the next place. Not focusing on their response but the task at hand. You are no longer responsible for the consequences that would happen to the town since they were rejecting He who was to come.

Lastly, Don’t Internalize the Rejection. When we’re sent in Jesus’ Name, we’re not speaking (walking, living, evangelizing) on our behalf, but we are representing Him. Therefore, their rejection is not on us; they are rejecting Jesus. They are not rejecting Jesus, the Son of God, because God sent him. They are rejecting God. (This was what helped me the most) Jesus knows who made us and how he gave us every aspect of our looks, personality, quirks, perspectives, likes, and dislikes. Everything about us was orchestrated, architected, and coordinated by God Himself. Therefore, when we are rejected, don’t internalize (try to figure out why, look for ways to change, act in a different manner, hoping they might change their mind) their rejection because they are rejecting God!!! So dust your feet off and leave it behind. Don’t take that rejection with you. Leave there as you came, In Jesus’ Name, full of Peace and His Love.

Just like Jesus sent out the 70, he sends us out as his disciples into places He plans to enter; prepare the way with you living, and Don’t despise any rejection that may come because there will be many that receive you and your Jesus who wants to change their lives.

Luke 10:1-16 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick there, and say to them, The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”