Briefing: When you get a radio call, dispatch, or assignment do you respond in a timely manner or do you put it on your list of things to do?

Dispatch (Assignment): Are you busy with kingdom work? Read Matthew 8:14-17.

On the Street: When Jesus cures Peter’s mother-in-law of fever, the Bible says, “she got up and began to wait on Him”. In the very next sentence, Jesus is “driving out spirits with a word”. These two passages put together fit like a hand in a glove with Matthew 12:43-45:

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, “I will return to the house I left.” When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

When reading this, I get a sense of urgency. Time is of the essence. Have you ever heard someone say, “God’s timing is perfect”? When God opens a door for you, go through it, don’t hesitate. When God told Abram to go to a new country that he had never been to before (Genesis 12:1-4), he got up and went.

If Christ has done a work in your life, saved you from Hell and forgiven your sins, then it is time to get to work. The house is swept clean. What are you going to do?

Highlights from this Read: Peter was married. We don’t know anything about his wife but we know he had a mother-in-law.

It is very important to check your motives when doing your work for the Lord. Works don’t get you into heaven and works with the wrong attitude do you no good either. Luke 10:38-42 is a beautiful story about Mary and her sister Martha. Martha was busy getting lunch ready and serving everyone but she was upset with Mary because she was sitting around listening to Jesus and not helping with the work. Martha gets so upset that she goes to Jesus and tells Him to tell Mary to help her. Jesus tells her, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” We have to be serving with an attitude of love.

Investigational Resources: Isaiah 53:4 is the prophecy that was fulfilled. For other accounts of this story, see Mark 1:29-34 and Luke 4:38-41.

Officer Safety Principle: We have to get to work on kingdom matters. If you have not gotten an assignment from God, pray that He will show you what He has for you. Remember, He will not give you more than you can handle.

from The Gospel of Matthew Through the Eyes of a Cop
©by Charles Gilliland. Used by permission.
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