| Good leaders and poor leaders, but spiritual | | | | Because they were unwilling to believe, Jesus |
| leaders in particular, need to be aware of the fact | | | | would not give them another miracle. |
| that Jesus Christ knows what we are thinking. He | | | | Jesus wasn't there to amuse, or entertain, or |
| knew the thoughts of men then and He knows | | | | perform, or do a turn for them to enjoy. |
| the thought of men today. The Lord knows the | | | | Jesus was there to save them - and rescue them |
| thoughts of men and he knows that they are | | | | - and release them - and heal them - leading them |
| futile, writes the Psalmist, and singer Ian White | | | | out of confusion and darkness into light. And - all |
| takes these words for the refrain in one of his | | | | they wanted was a party piece - as if Jesus was |
| superb songs inspired by the Psalms. | | | | one of the items in a concert. |
| We have been reading in Luke Chapter 11 where | | | | Jesus does answer them. "Any kingdom fighting |
| Jesus Christ has been casting out an evil spirit and | | | | against itself will be ruined and a house divided |
| He has had to listen to stupid unwise critical | | | | against itself will fall." You say I am casting out |
| comments. | | | | Satan with Satan's power. He will soon fall then. |
| Be very careful regarding speaking judgmental | | | | But Jesus goes on in verse 20 to make it very |
| words of criticism. We have to be cautious in this | | | | clear - "I am driving out demons by the finger of |
| area. It is dangerous to speak careless negative | | | | God - therefore realise that the kingdom of God |
| wounding words. There are occasions when it is | | | | has come to you." |
| better to be silent - when it is better to be quiet. | | | | What authority - here we have yet again this |
| These people should have been the first to | | | | word "kingdom". A finger of power - Christ's |
| recognise that this was the Living God at work, | | | | powerful finger. Jesus was casting out this demon |
| but they are closed and blind and their hearts are | | | | in the power of the Holy Spirit. |
| cold and critical. | | | | It is as though the Holy Spirit is the Finger of God |
| The two kingdoms are brought into the open - | | | | - how true - He has a knack of putting His Finger |
| into conflict. Jesus is preaching and teaching and | | | | on something, and we never know when He |
| ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit - and | | | | might just be doing that - when we speak - |
| they say it is the strength of the devil. | | | | witness - testify. |
| Some wanted to test Him - or tempt Him - | | | | The risen Christ is among us wherever we go - |
| requesting another sign. How many signs do they | | | | the Holy Spirit is here with us to put His Finger on |
| need? How many times do you have to speak to | | | | things - to point them out - to bring them to our |
| people before they will listen - before they will | | | | attention - so that we notice them - and deal with |
| believe - before they will obey? How many times? | | | | them. He may also work through us to convict |
| There were so many signs - so many miracles - | | | | other people of their sin. The ministry has such |
| and these had made little impression. | | | | variety and when never know when Almighty |
| Jesus does not perform for this type of audience. | | | | God will next use us. This coming week be ready |
| Jesus knew their thoughts. He knows our | | | | and prepared for the Living God to use you and |
| thoughts today. That can be devastating when | | | | flow through you. |
| some people realise that. | | | | |