Sunday, January 27, 2013 - 12:20 am

I read Luke 8 - 10 today, and in chapter 9 Jesus sends out His twelve disciples, and in chapter 10 He sends out others, and in both cases the mandate is to preach the good news of the coming of God's kingdom, to heal the sick and drive out demons. Jesus just matter-of-factly gave His followers the authority to do the miraculous. Think of it - some three dozen towns at a time experiencing miraculous healings, freedom, and exciting news of God's love and mercy, all because Jesus was about to show up there! How calloused is my heart that I don't expect Jesus to do that kind of thing through me? Lord, help my unbelief! If I'm living for God, with His Spirit in me, then everywhere I go I should be expecting that Jesus is about to show up. Be ready everyone! Jesus is coming! This is the God with the power to transform my life and give me joy in His presence, even in the middle of difficult circumstances. This is the God whose love knows no bounds, whose mercies are new every day, who redeems people and will allow nothing to steal them from His hand. The kingdom of God is near you.