Good Morning Friends,
When Jesus recruited the seventy to spread the Good News, he did not paint a pretty picture of the work to be done. The same is often true for those today called to share the Gospel. The reality is that Jesus tells the seventy and those today in missionary service that they might well be sent out like lambs among wolves and that they have no guarantee of a social life or creature comforts. But he also indicates that it will all be worth the effort. Thankfully in this labor, the Holy Spirit works all things together for good to those who love God. Are You Rejoicing That Your Name Is Written In Heaven?
Scripture: The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
Luke 10:17-24 (NRSV)
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NRSV)
Message: The work of evangelism is, in part, the work of realigning one’s commitment to rejoicing in the power of Christ and the future of the Kingdom of Heaven as our future. We are to persevere in this belief because what appears to be success is not always achieving the miraculous. Sometimes what appears to be a revival is not always fruitful. Crowds may gather and conversion may even be confessed but the fruit of love that remains is what makes things significant. And this work will be tested so it might be purified. You see the list of members in our congregations need to match the names on the role in heaven. That is how God measure our work and where true success is of eternal significance.
And So, we need to be aware of the spiritual battle that is taking place around us. We need to realize that the logic of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit calls us to a Kingdom purpose that is the way of truth that sets us free to engage successfully with courage to fight he good fight. If we know Christ, then we begin to see and hear in new ways realizing that we are in a spiritual battle each and every moment.
Pray we rejoice in the gifts of grace and the grace of gifts given to us to carry out the assignment. Pray we have reason to rejoice. Pray we watch and pray with vigilance. Pray we realize that heaven is not just a destination but also a motivation to change the world. Pray in our ministry of sharing the Good News that we endure whatever hardship befalls us knowing our names are written in heaven. Pray we realize that God is interested in long term outcomes not a short-term response. Pray we believe that the devil has been defeated and that the authority of Christ rules. Pray we experience the power of rejoicing knowing that it is to be experienced beyond the joy of short-term victory. Pray we experience a love that lasts. Pray we never lose the joy of salvation. Pray we are called to God’s purpose and respond in love glorifying the Divine freeing others to the joy of Jesus. Pray we hear and see as Children of God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 