When Jesus walked the earth, He trained disciples to share His word wherever they were sent. He empowered them to cast out demons, heal the sick, cure diseases and tell everyone that the Kingdom of God was upon them (Luke 9:1-2). Luke 10 tells us He sent out 72 disciples and when they returned, they rejoiced, telling Him that demons submitted to them at the very mention of His name. Instead of joining them in their jubilation, Jesus corrected them. Luke 10:20 - However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
If I had been one of those disciples who'd seen the power of God flowing as they did, I too would have been overjoyed to know that I was capable of doing such in Jesus's name. And yet, we know that was not what the Savior wanted. He wanted them to not focus on the power but on what that power represents - that God had deemed them worthy to be included on a list in heaven.
Just as those disciples needed to refocus, so do we. If we truly believe in Jesus and are His disciple today, we need to ask ourselves, are our names written on heavenly lists?
The answer to this question is only known to God. Nevertheless, because of His revealed nature and word, we know He wants us to be on those lists. The people on these lists enjoy certain privileges that other do not. For instance, when they proclaim His Son's name into any situation, the devil and its demons must fall back. All the power of the Almighty backs up such individuals. No matter the circumstances, He will show up to favor them.
God said as much in Malachi 3. There, He'd spoken to His remnant in Jerusalem and instructed them to stop withholding their tithes and offering. Those who feared the Lord gathered and agreed to change. These people pleased Him so He ordered the angels to write a scroll of rememberance with their names on it (Malachi 3:16). Malachi 3:17-18 - “They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
And we should want to move in that reality because that is what God desires for us. Hebrews 11:6 states that He is a rewarder of them who eagerly seek Him. When we do this, our names get added to heavenly lists. This goes beyond saying we are Christians. It is about being a Christian in every facet of our lives. We must therefore voraciously consume His word, fervently stand in the gap for others, give Him our worship, fast per Isaiah 58, and listen to the Holy Spirit as He changes us to become more rooted in Christ.
Therefore, let us pray to be a vessel through whom the gifts and the power of God flow for His glory. And as we do so, we shall cry out to Him to make us the sort of person whose names are in the books of heaven. Today, we shall ask God to show us how to become those whose eternal spirits will reside forever with Him. We shall allow Him to teach us how to live, yield to His direction, obey His commands, and be ever mindful that this world is not our home. The lists of this world are inconsequential. Heaven is all that matters.
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From FFJ - Thank You Lord for breathing life into us this morning. We are so grateful for the gift of life and You giving us another day and opportunity to get closer to You. Thank You Lord for leading us into this fellowship to praise Your Holy name and pray for others. Your grace and mercy are immeasurable. We thank You Lord and we praise You. IJMN. Amen.
Thanks for today’s message sis @FFJ. This message reminds me of The Parable of the Sower, Matthew 13; 3-23. Jesus shares that there are 4 categories and we all fall under one of them. The categories are 1) Those who hear the message of the Kingdom of God but don’t understand it and the enemy comes and snatches the seed planted in their hearts. 2) Those who hear the message and joyfully receive it but this joy is short lived and they turn away once they start to experience persecution for believing God’s Word. 3) Those who hear God’s Word but the things of this world have them more captivated than the message they received of the Kingdom. 4) Those who truly hear and understand God’s Word and produce plentiful fruit from what was planted as a result.
I pray that we all strive to end up in category 4 as that is the only category that leads to heaven. I was watching a sermon and the minister touched upon these 4 groups of people and said the only people that fall into the right group is group number 4. We must seek God with all of our hearts. Thirst, hunger and pursue Him. Our souls depend on it. As @FFJ mentioned, this life is fleeting but our spirits are eternal. There are only two places we can go heaven or hell. I pray that everyone strives for heaven and to be written in the Book of Life, like our lives depended on it because they do!