A Better Way
Expansion. Did you know Christ is equipping you and I for expansion?
Naturally, we lean towards the good when we think expansion. Like Jabez's "enlarge my territory"...
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. ~1 Chronicles 4:10 New International Version
And expansion is good, but it doesn't mean it will feel good at the time. To expand is to move, to break ground, to shake things up.
Are you ready to shake things up?
Shake It Up!
Similar to Jabez, the mode of expansion in Luke 10 infers one thing - influence.
Show me better, Lord. Give me better, Lord. Use me for better, Lord. Expand my capacity to bring better into your kingdom.
I'll ask you again. Are you ready to shake things up?
Jesus sent the faithful seventy-two out not only to expand the kingdom, but to expand how they saw themselves in the kingdom.
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” ~Luke 10:17-20 NIV
Christ: The Better Way
There's a special joy that comes when we can be used by God.
A better joy.
Knowing God will use you for expansion even gives a different perspective to the Good Samaritan story, doesn't it? Jesus told the story because an expert on the law asked the question, "Who is my neighbor?"
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” ~Luke 10:36-37 NIV
Mercy. It's a better way to love.
This thing just keeps getting better and better! The son of Man equips us for better in the world, better in how we see our ourselves, better in how we see God using us for glory. All these "betters" are great, but at the end of the day, the last "better" in chapter 10 is really the best.
It's a better way to worship.
She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” ~ Luke 10:39-41 NIV
"Few things are needed - or indeed only one."
Luke 10 saves the best for last. Meeting the expectations of man should never take priority over the Son of Man. To be better in Christ, ultimately, is to love Him better.
Father,
like Jabez we ask that you expand our territory. Shake things up in our lives so we can be used for your "better". Let the influence of your Son in us and through us manifest in a better joy, a better love, a better worship on the earth. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Today, don't just seek out better, but the ask God to reveal the mo' betta that is in Christ Jesus.
Thanks for hangin' with me!
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