[Jesus:] "But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you."
—Matthew 12:28 NLT
Jesus healed broken people. The results of his miracles were beyond dispute, even to his critics. His miracles forced everyone in his day — and they should force everyone in our day — to make a very clear decision. Either Jesus accomplished what he did by the power of Satan or by the power of God's Spirit. There was and is no middle ground. He is the Son of God or a charlatan. He is Spirit-empowered or Satan's seductive lackey. Jesus' claim is clear. He says that he is casting out demons by the power of God's Spirit. The Kingdom comes as God's will is done. Where God's Spirit leads and empowers, God's reign has begun; and the first light of Jesus' Kingdom has dawned.
We praise you, O God. You live in us through the Holy Spirit. We welcome your reign over our hearts and enjoy this taste of your Kingdom coming into our lives. We join our hearts with tens of thousands who have gone before us and say, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." And we ask that we will live with confidence and righteous character as we share in the advance of your Kingdom by the power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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—Matthew 12:28 NLT
Key Thought
Jesus healed broken people. The results of his miracles were beyond dispute, even to his critics. His miracles forced everyone in his day — and they should force everyone in our day — to make a very clear decision. Either Jesus accomplished what he did by the power of Satan or by the power of God's Spirit. There was and is no middle ground. He is the Son of God or a charlatan. He is Spirit-empowered or Satan's seductive lackey. Jesus' claim is clear. He says that he is casting out demons by the power of God's Spirit. The Kingdom comes as God's will is done. Where God's Spirit leads and empowers, God's reign has begun; and the first light of Jesus' Kingdom has dawned.
Today's Prayer
We praise you, O God. You live in us through the Holy Spirit. We welcome your reign over our hearts and enjoy this taste of your Kingdom coming into our lives. We join our hearts with tens of thousands who have gone before us and say, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." And we ask that we will live with confidence and righteous character as we share in the advance of your Kingdom by the power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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