Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
A Walk with the Master Series
Marching Orders
Mark 6:7-12
Mar 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; Mar 6:8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: Mar 6:9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. Mar 6:10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. Mar 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Mar 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Up to this time, Jesus had done all of the preaching, teaching, and healing. Now He is beginning to expand His ministry by sending others to carry His message to the rest of Israel. The following is an excerpt from a well-known writer about this portion. The twelve were Christ’s ambassadors, commissioned and empowered by Him to serve wherever He sent them. If you compare Mark’s account with Matthew’s (Mat_10:1-42), you will see that Mark has omitted mention of the ministry to the Jews, for he wrote for Gentile readers. There was an urgency about this work, and Jesus told the men not to acquire new equipment or be encumbered with things they did not need. We must not take these orders as pertaining to all ministry, for God does expect us to use common sense as we plan our trips. Jesus encouraged them to live by faith, a lesson God’s people need to learn in every age. Their main task was to preach the Word and lead people to trust the Savior.
The desire of the Lord was to give as many as possible the opportunity to hear the message that they could have their sin forgiven and have eternal life. This is the same message we have today. Peter made this clear in 2 Peter 3:9. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Peter was one of the ones that Jesus sent out, and he understood the purpose of the Lord’s ministry in that day.
When Jesus was leaving to return to heaven, He repeated this command to take the Word to everyone who would listen. In Mark 16:15 and in Matthew 28:19-20, the Great Commission is stated for Christ’s disciples then and for us today.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:19-20).
We have His marching orders, so our goal should be that we carry His Word to a lost and dying world while we have the opportunity to do so.
Bible Reading for the Year
March 18th, Deuteronomy 33-34; Luke 1:24-56
Prayer Needs
Pray for Dr. Joe Jordan who had an angioplasty on Thursday, March 12th. They found one artery was 70% blocked. They are looking at a date for coronary artery bypass surgery.
Please pray for Phil Corey in his continual dialysis treatments. He had several procedures done at the hospital but is home now. Please pray for Michelle and for Doris too. Doris is having problems with her blood pressure.
Please continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. Pray for her healing. Her pain has returned.
Please pray for Madison Bowers Millwee. She is now at 29 weeks and is doing well. Everything is relatively stable at this point. She will continue modified bedrest until she delivers
Please pray for Robbie Harvey, Barbara Teboe’s nephew, who has MAC lung disease, and antibiotics are no longer working. Pray for healing!
Please continue to pray for Beth Buchta that her hip will completely heal. She saw the doctor the other day, and found she was overusing her hip. Her recovery can take up to a year.
Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve.
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Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia