"These Long Distance Relationships Never Work Out"

He's "up there". I'm "down here". What's the dynamic? Jesus must have EZ Pass. An eternal mass transit ticket. Does He commute? Jesus a cosmic straphanger?

Mark 16:19-20 (AMP) - "(19) So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God. (20) And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it)."

He was taken up to heaven, yet He continued to work with the apostles.

They were taking on the brand new role of being the "Body of Christ". They kept operating as normal. Signs and wonders kept flowing. They knew it was right and proper as Jesus "confirmed" what they were doing.

They preached. They healed. They cast out demons. They got people saved, healed, and delivered. Sozo flowed.

We are in a long line of apostolic succession. If you are a believer then the same confirmation will rest upon your obedience to carry out the task of a disciple.

It's what we do.

Hopefully.

People more than ever need to see a tangible evidence of a Living Jesus. The evidence of spending time with Jesus is His confirmation and anointing over, within, and upon us, and is what makes our story credible.

What makes you credible and set apart from the JW or Mormon who shows up at your door? Jesus confirms what you are saying accompanied by a tangible anointing to speak His Word and move in His power.

Some don't have it. Some have it and don't recognize it. Some don't believe it. Some are afraid of it.

One thing is certain and that is if we are going to call ourselves bible believing Christians, we need to grab hold of it.

In my opinion, and I will not be swayed or convinced otherwise, we have two choices ultimately.

One is that we can be the believer in the following verse:

Mark 16:14 (AMP)
"Afterward He appeared to the Eleven [apostles themselves] as they reclined at table; and He reproved and reproached them for their unbelief (their lack of faith) and their hardness of heart."

OR...we can be the disciples He has declared us to be:

Mark 16:17 (AMP)
"And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe...".

NOTHING has changed.

The question is whether we believe Jesus is as involved as if He was "here" instead of "there".

Under the Open Heaven, with the access being immediate and real, with us as His Body acting in unison to show the glory of God, the Church will fulfill what Jesus declared.

John 14:12 (AMP) - "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father."

Without the steadfast belief in Him and His desire and ability, it just isn't going to happen.

We must SHOW the world Jesus by doing what a disciple does. Motivated by His love, moving in the power of His name, the gates of hell do not advance.


Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><