JOURNEY PREPARATION

JOURNEY PREPARATION
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 by Virginia Grounds

Categories: devotional / GUEST AUTHORS / TUESDAY'S TREASURE

PLEASE WELCOME

VIRGINIA GROUNDS

TUESDAY’S TREASURE

And He said to them, ‘take nothing for your journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money, and do not have two tunics apiece. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart’. [Emphasis added]

Luke 9:3 (NKJV)

Summertime – my favorite time of year. It is a time for a break from the everyday routine. For many, it is a time for vacation, fun, relaxation, and family gatherings. But it is also a time of church mission trips and conferences. Packing for a mission trip can be a challenge as there are limits on how much luggage you can take.

Several years ago, I went on a mission trip out of the country. The message God gave me to the women there was about the rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ.

I had this great idea to take some polished rocks and markers

for each woman to write the scripture reference on

that most spoke to them through the message.

When we arrived at the airport, my luggage was overweight. I had to open it right there at the check-in counter with the eleven other women around me and distribute bags of rocks to each one. How embarrassing! From this experience, I learned an important lesson.

What we take is not important;

the message and the mission are the purpose.

When Jesus sent His twelve disciples out on mission, His instruction for their travel was quite different than what we are inclined to do as we prepare to travel. He told them to “take nothing for the journey,” not even a change of clothing! They were not to take a suitcase, food, or money. Can you even imagine leaving on a trip with only the clothes you are wearing? No purse full of stuff, ladies. No briefcase of work to do as you travel, or technology. No snacks. No cellphone. Nothing.

As I read the scripture, I thought perhaps the journey was a short one and they would not need provisions. However, the words of Jesus dispute that claim by showing their need for housing.

Therefore, I believe the message Jesus is teaching them

is to trust God to provide as they carry out the mission

for which they are sent.

A change of clothes for every day is not the focus. Worrying about food and housing was not to be the focus. Their mission was to preach the kingdom of God for salvation to all who would hear. Jesus would inspire others to house and feed them. The disciples were to be dependent on God to provide.

The Lord, who knows all things, sent them out knowing that provisions would be made for them as they obeyed what was asked of them. He had given them the power to do so. When Jesus empowers us and we respond, He provides. That is truth for building trust you can count on.

When it seems the provisions in your life journey are not what you wanted or hoped they would be, trust God to provide what is needed. He tells us in Matthew 6:31-33 (NKJV) not to worry about what we will eat or what we will wear.

Just take care of today, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.

ABOUT VIRGINIA GROUNDS

Virginia is an author, speaker, certified professional publisher, and hospice chaplain. She has years of experience teaching Bible study in her home church and at women’s events. She served with her late husband for twenty years in full-time ministry to people in crisis. Her recent books are Guide to Deeper Prayer and Ricky the Racecar, a children’s book. She is a member of CIPA and AWSA writer associations. Connect with the author at www.hope4widows.com and www.breakthroughchristianpublishing.com

ABOUT W.I.N.G.S BY VIRGINIA GROUNDS

Hope for Widows in New Growth Seasons is a touching and essential guide for those navigating the heart-wrenching journey of widowhood in stories written by widows. Through a compassionate lens, this book skillfully combines biblical study and practical advice to provide hope for widows. The exploration of 'Widow Brain' is enlightening, offering much-needed clarity and understanding about the emotional and cognitive impacts of profound loss. Each page is a gentle reminder that through faith and the healing power of God's promises, renewal and growth are not just possible but promised. W.I.N.G.S illuminates the path to healing and hope for moving forward with the warmth of God's love.

Author Contributors: Susie Kinslow Adams, Adrianna Anderson, Loretta Eidson, Sharon Ingram, Vigie Mae Finn, Virginia Grounds, Kathy Harris, Paulette Harris, Kaye Johns, Louise Tucker Jones, Karen Kausen, Katherine Pasour, Lori Rohlinger, Sheryl Giesbrecht, Sandy Weiss, Karen Whiting

BUY LINK

ENDORSEMENT

“W.I.N.G.S.: Hope for Widows in New Growth Seasons is a
touching and essential guide for those navigating the
heart-wrenching journey of widowhood. Through a
compassionate lens, this book skillfully combines biblical
study and practical advice to provide hope for widows. The
exploration of ‘Widow Brain’ is enlightening, offering much
needed clarity and understanding about the emotional
and cognitive impacts of profound loss. Each page is a
gentle reminder that through faith and the healing power
of God’s promises, renewal and growth are not just
possible but promised.
W.I.N.G.S illuminates the path to healing and hope with
the warmth of God’s love.”

—Susan Neal RN, MBA,
MHS Author of 12 Ways to Age

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