Prayer Works Morning Devotion April 6, 2026

A Chapter By Chapter Study Of The Gospels:

Luke Chapter 10

17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

18He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

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Good morning, good morning to you everybody. I hope and pray that you had a wonderful and a restful night. We thank the Lord for all that He is doing in our lives. Let us go to the Lord in prayer.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your goodness and your mercy towards us. We thank you Lord for all that you are doing and what you're still going to do. We thank you Lord that we have a place where we can run to. a solid rock we can stand on.

So Father, as we continue to commit our lives to you, we pray Lord that you continue to meet us where we are and lead us in the pathway of the righteous. We thank you Lord that as we get nearer and nearer to your return, may we be found righteous before you.

Not because of our own doing, but because we believe in Christ and we stand with him. We thank you, Lord, for faith, for grace, for hope, for peace, for love, for strength, for courage, for boldness, for determination.

We thank you, Lord, that we have the Holy Spirit as a divine inspiration to walk with us, to counsel with us and to instruct us. So, Father, as we gather this morning, we gather in the spirit of unity.

And we pray, Lord, that you open our eyes to things that we need to see and open our ears to the things that we need to hear. Bless our time together, bless our fellowship, bless our communion with the Holy Spirit in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen and Amen.

I hope we all had an incredible, phenomenal Resurrection Sunday. You know, I was just thinking yesterday, in early morning today, what it was, what it felt to have Jesus back from the dead.

I wonder how all the people in Jerusalem and in and around Jerusalem reacted to Jesus being back from the dead. And I'm sure, if we put ourselves in that situation, you can try to see how we could possibly have reacted if we were there.

I'm sure there would have been a level of people who were not believing. I mean, does this actually happened? Or people who thought, my God, she was this man who was here around us for the past few years He's truly the Messiah.

So this was just me imagining. Anyway, today we are in Luke chapter number 10. In Luke chapter number 10, it is the, these are the instructions that Jesus gives to those who become disciples.

What I love about scriptures in the Bible and God is that he never leaves things to chance, so that no one can ever say, I have no idea how to do it. Jesus gives us a blueprint and he explains to us how things ought to be done.

So this is the hallmark of how disciples ought to minister or to live their lives as we go and make disciples of all nations. So after this, after Jesus told his disciples, just go meet in Galilee.

After this, the Lord appointed 72 others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He taught 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'm sending you out like lambs among wolves. Right there tagged in verse number two is a little prayer. Jesus instructs the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Then ask was a prayer that he's giving to the people he's telling.

Which is the disciples, ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore. So in other words, Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field. Then he has an instruction, go, I'm sending you out like lambs among wolves.

Which means we are getting instructions of how the environment is going to look like. It's not going to be nice. Do not take a purse, number one, or a bag, or sandals, and do not greet anyone on the road.

When you enter a house, first say, Peace to this house. If someone who promotes Peace is there, your Peace, will rest on them. If not, it will return to you. Stay there, eat and drink whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages.

Do not move around from house to house. 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 to near you, so there's an instruction of things that we must do.

We have to do wherever we go whatever house we enter if there's somebody sick our job is to heal the sick who are there and tell them the kingdom of God has come to 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 will wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this. The kingdom of God has come near.

I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. Woe to you, Chorazin, woe to you, Bethesda! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon.

They would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. Now, when you read this passage of scripture here.

It really is instructing people or is telling the disciples that the people that you are going to speak to, they are responsible for the information they hear. And as they were being sent, Sidon, Tyra, Bethesda, Chorazin are regions that are far away from Israel.

And in Sidon, that's where the cross was invented. Sidon and Tyra are grandchildren of Cain. So over there, there's a lot of devil worshiping that goes on there. And the reason Jesus is using those as an example in this passage of scripture is because they hadn't received the gospel.

So it says for them it will actually be bearable if the Lord was to come, if Judgment day was to come and they haven't received the gospel, than for people who would have received the gospel and rejected it.

That's what Jesus is saying there. That actually it's better for them on Judgment day for people who would not have received the gospel, because they have an excuse.

But for people who haven't, who have received the gospel and did not hear it or receive you, it's going to be unbearable because you heard the message of truth and you rejected and refused it.

So that's going to be unbearable, knowing that at some point you heard the truth, but you didn't even want to interact with it. Then for a person who has never heard the truth, that's what Jesus is saying there.

Then whoever listens to you listens, listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me, but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me. So in other words, if you speak truth to a person or the gospel, and if they reject you, they're rejecting Jesus, and if they're rejecting Jesus, they're also rejecting God.

The 72 returned with joy and said, Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name. So, he had the results, which means that they did everything that Jesus instructed them to do, and they had fruit and results.

So they're coming back and saying, my goodness, even demonic spirits, which was not listed in these particular instructions. So this is something else that happens on the journey, even demonic spirits.

Submit to us in your name. Then he replied, this is what Jesus reply was, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample snakes, scorpions, to overcome all the power of the enemy.

Nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the Spirit submit to you but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. In other words, don't get excited that, oh my God, I preached an incredible word, I did an incredible deed, or I sang an incredible song, or I healed the sick.

So don't get excited with that. Get excited with the fact that your names are written in heaven. But Jesus is saying to them, I saw Satan fall like lightning. Why? Because when there is a lot of workers doing God's work at any given moment, Satan is going to fall from heaven like lightning.

That's what Jesus saw, because the 72 had gone out and they were doing the Lord's work. So he's telling them that while you were doing what you were doing and the results thereof, I saw Satan fall like lightning.

And why? I have given you authority. That's why I saw him fall like lightning, because now he's having to deal with so many people coming at him at once. Verse number 21, at that same time Jesus, full of joy, through the Holy Spirit, said.

So Jesus is full of joy because of what he's hearing from the disciples. I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and reveal them to little children.

Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal.

Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, Blessed are the eyes that sees what you see. For I tell you that my prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear.

Again, blessed are the eyes, that sees what you see. Now, brothers and sisters, that statement right there says a lot. Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. So, which means that you as a believer, you as a disciple, you must see something.

You are obligated to see something. Because if blessed are your eyes that sees what you see. In other words, the people that you minister to, if they get to see what you are seeing, then you are blessed.

So as a disciple, you should be able, you should see some things. You should see some things. For example, you see all these challenges that we are going through in our world right now.

All the difficulty that exists amongst believers and Christians, and all the challenges that are transpiring, as disciples, we must see things that not everybody else is seeing, so that we can have a good interpretation of the signs of the times.

So that when we give messages or when we speak to people concerning the gospel, that means they have to see what it is that you are seeing. Which means if you don't have eyes to see, your prayer should be.

Lord, give me eyes to see things that I wouldn't ordinarily see, so that I can have a message of encouragement of what is actually going on so that it can cause another person to see what you are seeing.

Then, right after that, after this whole entire teaching, Jesus goes into the parable of the Good Samaritan, verse number 25. On one occasion an expert in the Lord stood up to test Jesus.

Teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit life? What is written in the law? He replied. How do you read it? The answer, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind.

Love your neighbor as yourself. You have answered correctly, Jesus replied. Do this and you will live. But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, who is my neighbor?

A reply, Jesus said, a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, He passed by on the other side. Saw too a Levite when he came to the place and saw him pass by on the other side.

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was. And when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and banished him in wounds and poured on oil and wine. When he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.

The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, looked after him and said, and when I return, I'll reimburse you for any extra expenses you may have.

Which of these three do you think was your neighbor, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? The expert in the Lord replied, the one who had mercy on him.

Jesus told him, go and do likewise. Brothers and sisters, whenever there's a crisis, there are three people who are observed according to scriptures, the priest, the Levite and the Samaritan.

These are the attitudes and character of those who are in a position to do something that you are always going to find three groups, three camps, three camps, whenever there's a problem and whenever there's a challenge.

You're going to see those who are bystanders, and you're going to see those who are bystanders, sorry. Then you're going to see those who are actually going to do the work.

Then you're also going to see teachers of the law that follow the law more than they follow the heart. And in this case, Jesus is saying that a neighbor is a person who actually follows their heart and do that which is required to be done at any given moment when there is a problem and when there is a crisis.

And this is after, this is after he had taught about going out and helping others, and they've come back. And here comes a young ruler who thinks he wants to be part of this movement. And he's trying to justify himself to be in with the crowd, with what Jesus was doing.

But Jesus had to educate him that it's not about what you are thinking. It's more about the condition of your heart and your willingness to do that which seems impossible. And this is what the gospel comes down to.

The willingness to meet people where they are and bring them into this kingdom so they can see that which you are seeing. Our job the best way to actually help people, guys or the best way to actually teach the gospel is when somebody is in need and in trouble.

Because they are likely going to listen to you in that moment than in any given moment of their life. And as a fact it is good news right? So you don't bring good news to somebody who's already doing great.

That's not good news, that's an addition to, and most likely they would not subscribe to it. So whenever we see challenges, wherever they are, we should always recognize that's an opportunity for the gospel to be ministered.

That's what Jesus is giving this parable about the Samaritan, that if this person is in trouble, That's the time for the gospel. That's the time for us laborers to do the work.

Because in that moment, people get to see the compassion of Christ, and get to see the authority of the kingdom, and then get to see what it is that you are seeing. So, in other words, and in simple forms, do not shy away from problems and challenges.

They are the doorway to bring people into the Kingdom. They are the doorway to get people to see that which you are seeing. They are the doorway to see the authority of Christ being revealed in you.

It's a great feeling to know that the Lord is with you when you experience healing power as you pray for another and they get healed. It's a great confirmation. It encourages you, it gives, it grows your faith.

So brothers and sisters, as we go out, let us remember all the time that we are disciples. We are not just believers, but we are disciples, that we have a job to do. The Lord, that has instructed us to do the work, and He has given us a blueprint of how to do it.

 And if we follow it, in as much as we follow anything the scriptures say, we are going to be blessed doing it. If there's and again sometimes where we find difficulty is when we try something and it doesn't work, we always want to assume the failure.

But yet Jesus has told us that if that happens be okay with the fact that nothing happens because it's not your fault. It's not, Oh my God, I did not preach well. No, that's not it. You said what needed to do.

Again, it always comes down to your heart that if you do everything in the heart that desires to see people get saved, and if they refuse it, you should not be discouraged. Because you know your heart was in the right place.

We have a job to do, the harvest is plenty, the laborers are few. The reason we have that statement in the scripture, because it will, it is going to remain true until the Lord comes.

That's why it was canonized, captured and preserved in the scriptures to remind us, to remind mankind that there is always going to be a lot of work to be done. But laborers are going to be few. Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for resurrection. We thank you for coming and gracing our world and spending 33 years on this planet Earth and giving up your life for the existence to be called the true Son of Man.

The firstborn of those raised from the dead. We are grateful for your endurance in what you did on Calvary. We thank you for scriptures that tells us what happened, how it happened, and also gives us instructions of how to carry ourselves.

We are grateful, Father, for all that you are doing in our lives. We thank you that as you have given us authority, may we use it the right way. We know the harvest is always going to be plenty, and laborers are going to be few.

But Father, in our efforts and in everything that you're instructing us to do, may you continue to strengthen us, to give us wisdom, and continue to open our eyes to see that which every eye is not seen.

So that when we speak truth and bring the good news of the gospel, eyes will be opened. Father, we trust you. Even in times when things don't look right and well, we trust you. The scripture says, the just shall live by faith.

We know sometimes things go in different directions and different ways, but God Almighty, we are grateful that we have a Father. We are grateful that by faith, we will continue to live out this life knowing that we are justified.

So we thank you for salvation, for the gift of salvation that comes with authority to become disciples of Christ. Help us, Lord, to do the will of God that you have for every believer to walk in and to do. Father, we thank you for divine purpose.

That you have laid out for every single one of us, as we gave our hearts to you. So as we walk this journey of life, we want to be known as the disciples of Christ, as we do that which you have called us to do.

Give us strength, courage, determination, boldness to be disciples that are concerned about harvest. Give us words and wisdom to speak truth and bring good news to where there is strife.

There are so many people, Lord, who are lost, who are in need to hear this gospel. And Father, I pray that may the opportunity continue to rise up for every single one of us, just to be good stewards of this gospel.

So today, on Resurrection Monday, as we remember that which you did on the cross, and the authority that fell on our lap, we are grateful that we have a job to do, spiritual work to do, that you have given us.

And Father, by your Spirit, we now look to you, and ask you to guide us in all things true, and in all things right. As we go into this week, the week after resurrection, may we walk every single day with the memory of what you did on that day. And Father, we pray for your grace to abound and your peace to abound.

Bless our week. Bless the works of our hand. Bless what you have in store for us. And I pray, Lord, that may you lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen and Amen.

Brothers and sisters, may we all have an incredible, phenomenal day, and may the rest of the week be great for you. And remember, you are a disciple of Christ. There is a work for you to do.

And let us do it so that we can bring joy to Jesus in as much as the 72 brought joy to Jesus. Have an incredible, phenomenal Monday. See you back here tomorrow.