Mark 16:14-20 KJV
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

After the women told the disciples of Jesus rising from the dead, he appeared to the eleven disciples in the upper room. In today's reading, this is all that is recorded in Mark of Jesus appearance for forty days. The message of spreading the Gospel is given. In fact in Matthew Jesus tells the disciples to spread the Gospel too by teaching all nations, in Mark it says to preach it everywhere. By this Baptist and I am sure many other denomissions call it the Great Commision. I using Mark Gospel as primary scripture text today, because it states signs will follow them that believe. Speak in new tongues(languages), they will take up serpents, if they drink poison it will not hurt them, and if the lay hands on the sick they shall recover. Most of us that believe struggle with deadly poison here, the recovery of the sick in the since of miraclous healing, and being bitten by serpents(whether metaphorically or in actuallity).

As we read deadly poison and bitten by snakes in regards to faith and belief, or do we regard as words spoken by Jesus as a warning and a message of hope if these things happen. Well we know the poison can kill. We know that God is able to keep us. It does not mean go and pick up a vial of poison, though some groups actually do that. Most mainstream would say those people are nuts. That they take the Gospel to literally without knowledge. What do I believe, if I apply what I know of why people are healed, and some are not healed to drinking poison and being bitten by a snake, I would say it like this, if you get bitten by a snake you better pray, if you digest poison you better hope it not your day to die and pray. If we wanted to knit pick the scenario of poison and snake bites it first is not a normal occurence. It is not something to chase after unless to chop off a snake head. If you digest poison not on purpose or snake bit by accident, I guarantee unless it is your time to die, and you seek God, he is able to protect you. Biblical example was Paul in a shipwreck and went about gathering wood for the fire when he gets bit by a poisonous viper. Paul shakes it off as if no big deal. He then is watched and when he does not become ill, he taken to the king because the king's son is ill on the island they are on for him to pray for him to be healed. The son recovers. What was the purpose, the island believed in Jesus, so these events spread the Gospel of Jesus and glorified God.

If you are drinking poison or handling snakes or encouraging someone to do that, I will tell you, you doing evil, and it is not of God. Why because you are tempting God first and for most. Two you are trying to harm yourself. Three because just like healing it takes faith and some do not have the faith to handle deadly serpents, or to drink poison. Some even try to put in food to test God, so watch what you eat or have faith that God will protect you. Some food poison is because the food is bad in general, some is caused by food preparation, and other by actual poison. God knows people make mistake in cooking. The problem is vile people that do evil of actual poisoning someone and know it, that they kill someone that is dangerous not only to religious people but people in general. Beware that even as a believer or not you might survive and if not, just know where you spending eternity. Jesus words are not to alarm you, but to make one aware that there are those that will not like you preaching the gospel of Jesus, mainly because those people like control and some work for the enemy of Christ, the devil.

A good rule of thumb if you feel forced to do anything by man, it not of God. If God stops you like he did Balaam, the soldiers in the garden, and Philistines that stole the ark. We must then ask if God able to stop he also able to keep you safe from harm in obedience to his will for his glory. If you on his side, it not your glory you are fullfilling, but the will of God. Jesus said what, for the disciples to preach to every creature. He that believes and is baptized will be saved. His Jesus talking about water baptism, not necessarily, he really talking about baptizism of faith and the Holy Spirit. To learn to believe the word of God foremost. Those that believe will be saved and those that do not believe will spend eternity in the lake of fire. Signs will follow the believer because scripture says it. Things bad that happens and it not your time to go, you will recover, you will be healed, miraculously or unmiraculously. Yet they recover to continue to share the Gospel of Jesus and to glorify God. There things that should of hurt you but did not, that is the will of God, has well.

Remember when in ministry, when sharing the Gospel take note that all of Christ disciples shared in Christ ministry even before faith in Jesus. The woman at the well knew who Jesus was and went and got her village to go to the well where Christ was. Remember some of the disciples went and fetched other family members and friends, and some disciples like Zaccheus had Jesus to dinner. The Gentile community had Jesus eat with them, despite the fact religious leaders had a problem with it. All of these things plus the miracles that help spread the Gospel and bring people to Jesus occurred in Christ ministry. If we pray, if we seek, if we fast as God directs, miracles in ministry happen, people that are prayed for are healed, and people needing God will get saved.

Greatest thing is God is able to perserve us until the day he calls us home or til the day of his return. Fear not, go forth and share the Gospel, as God has called you. For Christ instructs us as disciples to share the good news of Jesus, that he came to save, forgive, and build our faith in him. No matter if we are first learning of Jesus or old timer sharing the good news of faith. There is salvation through Christ Jesus and healing through his word.

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to be builders and not destroyers of faith, keep us safe until that day of your return, or the day of our death. Preserve us as you have called us in faith. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24 KJV
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Jude 1:20-25 KJV
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

2 Timothy 1:12-14 KJV
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.