What’s Your Report

Posted on October 15, 2015 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

What’s Your Report?

“When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.”   Luke 10:17-19 (NLT)

So I am pretty sure a majority of us had some kind of summer off from Bible Studies, breakfasts and fellowships. I am also sure they are all up and running by now. Now that we’ve all gotten back together what was your summer like? Nah, that’s a ‘tardy question so here’s a better one…What’s your report? With everything you learned at study was there growth during the break? Those who gathered at fellowships and asked for prayer did God answer? Was there a moment during the break where you saw a need and then meet it? Was there healing? Was there conviction of sin? Did someone you have been witnessing to come to Christ? Have you been bold enough to witness? Are you getting my drift, if so…What’s Your Report?

In the 10th chapter of Luke Jesus sends out 70 anonymous, ordinary people as lambs amongst the wolves. They are to take none of their stuff with them. I believe it so they are not burdened with holding on to stuff that has no Kingdom value. They are to greet no one along the way. I believe it so they will not be talked into doing something that has no Kingdom value. They are to make camp at one location in the town they arrive in, they are to heal the sick, tell them the Kingdom of God is at hand, accept hospitality and whatever is provided for meals then move on. But they are also told that if they are not accepted in a town they can kick the dirt off their heels…“We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!”(Luke 10:11)

Report

The cool part of the story is all 70 came back and they were rejoicing in the power they had by proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ. These were pre-Cross and pre-Pentecost believers and they were in absolute awe of the great spiritual success they had received because of Jesus and they knew it. They were given jurisdiction, in the name of Jesus, to cast out the demons that had invaded the land and they came back with a report of joy and thanksgiving. Then Jesus tells them that since He watched as Satan fell like lightening from Heaven He was giving more authority to those unknown 70 people to do far more they could imagine. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!!

Now…how about us? We are post-Cross, we are post-Pentecost and I wonder what Jesus sees with us. We are told to go out and spread the Gospel Good News after we’ve received but are we doing it? And if so we need to be praising God for it because God has given us authority right where we are to tell the devil where he can go before he has a chance to tell us where we can go. We have been given the power, in the name of Jesus, to arrest the poison from the bites of the serpent that is meant to corrupt our minds and to heal the sting, like that which comes from a scorpion, from things like jealousy, strife, anger, envy, disappointments. Believe it or not, we have the same jurisdiction where we are in life just like those 70 unknown people and yet I wonder…if I really believe at times in my own life.

Sometimes I can get myself all fired up because hearing that there is a clear and present danger of becoming a nominal Christian is just around the corner in my life. And unlike Cain I really believe that sin is crouching right outside the door waiting to destroy my testimony in what I received from Jesus Christ. Ya see, like it or not, I will have to give an account on what I did with Jesus. Did I give a cup of cold water, did I comfort someone in prison, did I pray for the needs of those less fortunate, did I lay hands on someone who need healing….CHRIS HUGHES WHAT’S YOUR REPORT? will bellow in the Throne Room. I better be ready…and so should you. Amen?

(I thank Pastor Colin Days of The Second Baptist Church in Atlantic City for stirring the pot.) – Chris Hughes blogs weekly and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. Email him at cphughes515@verizon.net

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 7-9; Ephesians 5:1-16

Think About This: “Since the authorization and equipment of the messengers is absolutely dependent on the word of Jesus, it is essential that nothing should obscure their royal mission or make it incredible. The messengers are to deliver their testimony to the riches of their Lord in royal poverty.”—Dietrich Bonheffer

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Psalm 31:20

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