PROCLAIM, REJOICE, EXTEND MERCY, AND GATHER WITH JESUS
PROCLAIM, REJOICE, EXTEND MERCY AND GATHER WITH JESUS
The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me. —Luke 10:16
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. —Luke 10:19-20
And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?…” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” —Luke 10:28-29, 37
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. —Luke 11:23
Remember follow of Jesus that we do not walk alone. Jesus said that He is with us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:10-20) and He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). As we bring the Good News about Jesus to people the ones who hear us hear Jesus, and the ones who reject us reject Jesus and the one who reject Jesus is rejecting His Father who sent Him. Yes, that is pretty serious.
But even as we serve our Lord and see Him do wonderful, supernal things, let us not get our eyes off what is most important— “but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Yes! Let us rejoice that He has given us eternal life. Let us rejoice that we will be with Jesus and all who love Him forever! Let us rejoice that we are going to be in His awesome presence and the glory of perfection forever! Are you excited about that! Can you say with the Apostle Paul that “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:23-24). Do you truly want to go home? The Apostle Paul’s desire was to was to depart (leave this life) and be with Jesus. Is that what you desire?
But as long as we are here we are here for others, not for ourselves. We are here to encourage others in their walk with Jesus. Are you and I doing this? How? We are also to do good to our neighbor. Who is out neighbor? It is anyone we can extend mercy to. We are to go and do this! Always remembering that the one who is not with Jesus is against Him and the one who does not gather with Jesus is actually scattering instead. So let us serve according to His desires. Let is extend mercy to others. Let us gather with Him. Let us serve with those who are for Him and His desires. Yes, may it be so. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qa6zZrYkZAA
Dear Father I am so grateful to know that I never walk alone and that You will never leave me nor forsake me. As I serve You I am thankful to know You are with me. I rejoice to know that my home is in heaven and yes I want to be there. As long as I am living here may I be an encouragement to others and serve with those who are following You and gathering with You— extending mercy to those You guide me to. May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. So be it!