This morning, Jan and I will be ministering at a church in another part of the state. Before we go and speak somewhere, we ask the Lord: “What’s on this house?” The word I got for today was “peace.” Gaining an understanding helps us determine how to engage with people. Jan and I do this each time we minister to an individual, a group, or a local church. It helps us know how to speak and what to release when we step into a new setting.

When the Lord sent out the His 72 disciples in pairs, He said to each team, “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you” (Luke 10:5-6).

Asking the Lord that critical question about a person’s life or what the dominating spirit that’s at work in a church does not always provide a positive answer. Today, I heard the positive word “peace.”. The peace we release today will come by God’s word or simply by our presence. We don’t always know what will happen when the release takes place. As the Lord said, if what we share releases peace or any aspect of His nature, the content of that release will come home with us.

Discerning what’s “in the house” and declaring it as part of God’s redeeming message will attach itself to us and increase our faith. The same is true when what we sense is something not as gentle sounding as the word “peace.” Even if people, churches, or groups are under the influence of something negative, the Spirit will offer a redeeming alternative that, if accepted, will release a positive alternative. It is a win both ways if the message is received.

When we arrive back home, we will have received part of the blessing of the Lord that was released through us during our time of ministry. This morning, like always, we go with the expectation that something good is about to be released in the church and in our lives.