Saturday 01/01/05 - Luke 10

Personal:

Happy New Year! I am back in Philadelphia. I loved the time in Chicago but praise God I am home. January is going to be a busy month. (Here’s my schedule) Please pray for me.

1. Plan and pray with AMI College Pastors for the summer missions program and the Revolution College Retreat in June (Jan. 3-4).

2. Speak at OIL Retreat (Jan.5-8).

3. Speak at Journey Church of Atlanta (Jan. 20-23).

4. Get ready for GCC Congregational Retreat (Jan. 28-30).

Devotional:

17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

One of the most exciting things is to see God’s kingdom advancing. This is what these disciples experienced. Jesus sent them out and they saw the power of God working through them. They saw that the name of Jesus was powerful. They experienced people lives being transformed. These are great things to rejoice over.

However Jesus states, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” We were once separated from God because of sin but now because of Jesus our name is written in heaven.

It was over 22 years ago that I first trusted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I was practicing religion but I had no relationship with Jesus. I had gone to church for many years but I did not know that I was a sinner in need of God’s grace. I thank God for opening my eyes to see my need for Jesus. My greatest joy is my relationship with Him.

I thank God for GCC and how God has been using this church. It brings me great joy to see the kingdom of God advancing through GCC. I thank God for blessing me with a wonderful wife and three lovely children. I thank God for godly friends and co-workers who surround my life.

But none of it compares to the great joy I experienced when Jesus found me. I remember the day I first knew that I am a child of God. This is amazing. God loves me. Jesus died for my sins. Thank you Jesus.

Friends, let us thank God that our names are written in the book of life. It is good to be alive in Jesus. Today spend some time thanking God for Jesus. Spend some time surrendering the upcoming year to Him. Let us get ready to advance the kingdom of God for His glory in 2005.

Thank you Jesus for dying for our sins and saving us into an intimate relationship with God the Father. Thank you Lord for giving us an eternal purpose to live for. Thank you Lord for another New Year to advance your kingdom for your glory. Amen.

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