What Kind of Creature Is That?

Warriors Arise: November 5, 2020

Mark 16:16 (NKJV) And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Do you ever wonder why is says, "preach the gospel to every creature"? One thought is that we go preach to the animals, the rocks, the bugs, and the trees to practice. Now-a-days speakers practice in front of mirrors to check their facial expression and body language. They practice out loud so they hear their own voice; the tones, fluctuation, and enunciation. As they practice out loud they can see if they are projecting their voice. Maybe we are to practice preaching the gospel. Maybe we are to speak out loud, get used to our voice, and gain confidence in sharing how the gospel has changed our lives.

I don't know that I have ever purposefully preached the gospel to a tree or animal, bug or the stars. But there was a time when the Lord gave me a message regarding who we are and the destiny He has within each one of us. He had me write it down and look up the Scriptures. He had me work through each point. It was powerful just to have Him take me through it, teaching me, transforming me into His likeness. I thoroughly enjoyed our time together and my growth in my personal life. After weeks of God leading me to understand His ways on that topic we were done or at least done for the time being. I looked forward to the next thing God would share and teach me. But He brought me back to what we had just done. He showed me a picture. I was unsure of what He was saying. He wanted me to share what He had taught me. I couldn't help but think, "With who?" The vision was pretty clear. I shared with my husband and he agreed. I would be sharing the message, speaking it out into the atmosphere. I was to release it into the atmosphere and let the Holy Spirit take it to whomever needed the message. This was a message for people who might not ever come to a church or a conference but if I spoke it into the atmosphere the Holy Spirit would send the words to the people who needed them. Not only did God want me to do it once, He wanted me to do it eight times! I was so nervous. I wondered why I was nervous because all I had to do was speak it into the atmosphere. There would be no one there to judge me or condemn me. The words were spoken onto the wind. My responsibility was to honor God by doing what He shared. It wasn't my responsibility to make sure the right people heard the message. Scott came with me. While I spoke the message into the atmosphere, Scott prayer drove throughout the city. He specifically prayed for those who the Holy Spirit would take the message to would be fertile ground for the words to take root. While I was preaching the gospel I would see faces of people and believe they were receiving God's message.

Do you have a message God has put in you, one you are passionate about, one that brings freedom to the captives and restores the broken heart. Even if you didn't go outside your home or maybe you just open the windows and speak the message God has shared with you into the atmosphere. It is a form of spiritual warfare. At the very least you could practice saying your testimony out loud, with confidence and compassion. Are you ready to share your testimony if someone should ask why you are a Christian?

Maybe we are to preach the gospel to every creature, because sometimes human beings act like creatures instead of who God created them to be. Maybe we aren't to be intimidated by people who are different from us. They may seem creature like because they do not know kindness or unconditional love. Maybe they are mean because all they have ever been is bullied. Maybe they speak with such hate because they have never known forgiveness. Think of what a person like this might look like. It reminds me of a scene in the movie Miracle on 34th Street. Daniel is nine years old and he is being asked to testify that Kris Kringle is Santa Claus. The questioning lawyer asks, "Could that man be Santa Claus?", pointing to the opposing lawyer. Daniel responds, "No". The questioning lawyer says, "Why not?" And Daniel doesn't even hesitate, "Because Santa doesn't have a grumpy face."

There may be people who have lied about you and yet they are the very "creature" you are to preach the gospel to. Their behavior toward you sets them up to be your enemy. Why does Jesus tell us to love our enemies?

Matthew 5:43-48 (NKJV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."

Jesus told His disciples and they have passed the message on to us. Therefore, you and I, every Christian is to, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." We are not to pick and choose who we share the gospel with; we are told to preach the gospel. You do not have to be a pastor and have a church, you and I are to preach the gospel. There may be quite a few people you share with that you are think, "This is what the Bible meant by preaching the gospel to every creature." Keep preaching the gospel; everybody needs Jesus.

Father, I pray for Your word to go out to every creature. I ask for boldness to share the gospel. Help me to formulate my words and share from my heart the gospel message. Give me words to speak out about Your amazing love for all people, every creature. Remind me of what part of my testimony I need to share when there is someone You want me to share the gospel with. I ask for courage to speak as You direct. I do not want to hold back when You have brought someone into my life, across my path that needs to hear the gospel from me and my testimony. I pray my ears would be open to hearing You say who you want me to share the gospel with. I pray my eyes would see and believe they would receive the gospel from me and my testimony would encourage them to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I ask to be ready for these opportunities. Make a way for the gospel to be released in the lives of people throughout the land and all over the world in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy

My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.