October12th2020

OVERWHELMING VICTORY IS OURS

Today’s readings are Nehemiah 9 – 10 and Acts 2.  We are reading from the New Living Translation.

It’s finally happened.  A nuclear explosion has gone off, of immeasurable proportions.  Jesus has succeeded in everything he set out to do.   And he will continue to succeed in restoring his kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. He will succeed in the same way that he succeeded in the life of Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas,  James – son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salame, Bartimeus, and all those who called out to him for mercy.  

He will succeed through the miracle of the new birth, by reinhabiting men and women – human beings – created to be vessels of God’s presence.  He will continue transforming people from the inside out – one person after another.

Resurrection life is here and it’s now. As he inhabits individuals with himself, a chain reaction happens, of exponential proportions, and the kingdom advances and grows.  One hundred and twenty people jammed into an upper room, once cowering and afraid, were united with dunamis power! And people from all over the world began hearing and understanding.  Their hearts were transformed and set free and forgiveness was offered to all. That reaction continues.   It hasn’t stopped since this moment Luke is describing here.

It continues on and people all over the world are responding to the message and person of Christ. Resurrection life is now offered to all  – to whoever believes, repents and surrenders their life to Jesus.  There is power, life and forgiveness available to all.  It’s moving out into highways and byways.  It’s reaching people of every nation, tongue, tribe, and language.  Operation World has said that the fastest growing church in the world is in Iran and Afghanistan.  Unheard of numbers of Muslims are coming to Christ. The message is being multiplied.  The gospel message is going forward because Jesus has succeeded. He has triumphed over death and the grave. And there’s nothing in this world that can stop Him.  Overwhelming victory is His – and ours – through him.  

What an amazing story, and beginning this is.  But it’s only the beginning.  He’s still at work.  He is using his Word each day  to finish the work in our lives that he has faithfully begun.  It’s a journey of renewal, restoration, and rehabilitation of hearts and minds, as just one more follower at a time begins to experiencing the with-God life, now.   

Walk in the light of what Jesus has done. He has succeeded for you.  May you experience more and more, the overwhelming victory that is yours in Christ.

You are loved!