The Kingdom of God has come near to you

LUK 10:2-3, 8-11 NIV
[Jesus] told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.  Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.  ...  When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.  Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'  But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say,  'Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.'

Regardless of whether the town welcomes us or not, the Kingdom of God has come near because we carry the King within us!  He lives in us and through us!  We are His ambassadors!

I had a very encouraging conversation with Neill last night about synergizing and infusing discipleship and church planting.  I believe this is based on the model shown here in Luke 10.  It is a significant change from the Western brick-and-mortar building with a  professional-Christian-executive-director perspective of church.

LUK 10:16-20 NIV
"Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me."    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."

Heavenly Father, thank you for saving us in Christ, and thank you for the opportunity to partner with you as ambassadors of Christ.  Lord, please use me to extend your Kingdom into the hearts of others.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.