Rejoice......your name is written in heaven!!!

Luke 10:17-20

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Jesus had sent out His disciples. When they returned they were ecstatic that even the demons were subject to them in Jesus' name. He told them He had given them (yes and us) "the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." But He tells them not to rejoice in that. Jesus wanted them to realize that no matter what happens on this earth, their (and yes our) names are written in heaven. He wanted to make sure that they understood that their names were written in heaven before the miracles, not because of them.

We can see miracles in our daily lives. It all comes down to what we expect. What do we have faith for? Do we believe that when we pray it will be answered? Or are we still plagued with some doubt? One thing I like to say when I pray is, "Lord I am expecting great and mighty things, for You are a great and mighty God!" We should absolutely expect the supernatural everyday in our lives. We serve a supernatural God. God gave us an imagination for a reason. He wants us to see in our mind's eye that person healed, even though they don't look healed. We need to expect the supernatural. It shouldn't even be a "I wonder if it's going to happen?" type thing. No, we should KNOW that things are going to happen. On that note, I know things are going to happen tomorrow in the park. We're going to a local park tomorrow. I'm going to take the guitar and sing to the Lord. Please pray for us......that the Lord will prepare the hearts of those there, and even send those who are in need of a touch from the Master. I've been wanting to do this on a regular basis........and I am. Whether anyone comes with me or not..........I'm going. We need a revival to sweep through our city, and it's not going to happen by sitting around and doing nothing. No, two thirds of God's name is GO! I'm all for going to other countries and helping out folks, but we need to remember that there are hurting people right in our own back yards. Many times in our own homes. And I understand that in other countries folks are more open to the gospel......they're hungry.......starving for a touch from the Master. It may not be as exciting to witness in our own hometown, but Jesus commanded His disciples to hit their hometowns first......then go to the outermost parts of the earth. We're not always going to be preaching. Or at least not the way we expect to be preaching. God said He inhabits the praises of His people. So if we praise Him, what's going to happen? He's going to show up! In my presence there's not fullness of joy, but in HIS presence there's fullness of joy! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee glory! Many times we in the church are like folks at a buffet. We go there, gorge ourselves with great food, the word of God, and then we go home. Why not invite others to the feast? How about applying what we've learned in church, out there in the world? If our only purpose in getting saved was to go to heaven, we would have dropped dead immediately thereafter. No, our purpose is to share what Jesus has done for us. He has set us FREE!!! No longer are we slaves. How many criminals would refuse a pardon? Not the ones who claim to be innocent (although most do), but a real criminal. One who had done the crimes and was now doing the time. Jesus has set us free from that bondage we were in. Our sins enslaved us, and made us prisoners to the will of the devil. But Jesus has opened the prison doors....now accept His forgiveness and walk out of there. Go tell other prisoners that they too can be set free! Have a super duper weekend, and be sure and thank a veteran today. He/She risked their life for the freedoms we enjoy. TTFN and God bless. :-) PJ