Good leaders and poor leaders, but spiritual leaders in particular, need to be aware of the fact that Jesus Christ knows what we are thinking. He knew the thoughts of men then and He knows the thought of men today. The Lord knows the thoughts of men and he knows that they are futile, writes the Psalmist, and singer Ian White takes these words for the refrain in one of his superb songs inspired by the Psalms.

We have been reading in Luke Chapter 11 where Jesus Christ has been casting out an evil spirit and He has had to listen to stupid unwise critical comments.

Be very careful regarding speaking judgmental words of criticism. We have to be cautious in this area. It is dangerous to speak careless negative wounding words. There are occasions when it is better to be silent - when it is better to be quiet.

These people should have been the first to recognise that this was the Living God at work, but they are closed and blind and their hearts are cold and critical.

The two kingdoms are brought into the open - into conflict. Jesus is preaching and teaching and ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit - and they say it is the strength of the devil.

Some wanted to test Him - or tempt Him - requesting another sign. How many signs do they need? How many times do you have to speak to people before they will listen - before they will believe - before they will obey? How many times? There were so many signs - so many miracles - and these had made little impression.

Jesus does not perform for this type of audience. Jesus knew their thoughts. He dig this our thoughts today. That can be devastating when some people realise that.

Because they were unwilling to believe, Jesus would not give them another miracle.

Jesus wasn't there to amuse, or entertain, or perform, or do a turn for them to enjoy.

Jesus was there to save them - and rescue them - and release them - and heal them - leading them out of confusion and darkness into light. And - all they wanted was a party piece - as if Jesus was one of the items in a concert.

Jesus does answer them. "Any kingdom fighting against itself will be ruined and a house divided against itself will fall." You say I am casting out Satan with Satan's power. He will soon fall then. But Jesus goes on in verse 20 to make it very clear - "I am driving out demons by the finger of God - therefore realise that the kingdom of God has come to you."

What authority - here we have yet again this word "kingdom". A finger of power - Christ's powerful finger. Jesus was casting out this demon in the power of the Holy Spirit.

It is as though the Holy Spirit is the Finger of God - how true - He has a knack of putting His Finger on something, and we never know when He might just be doing that - when we speak - witness - testify.

The risen Christ is among us wherever we go - the Holy Spirit is here with us to put His Finger on things - to point them out - to bring them to our attention - so that we notice them - and deal with them. He may also work through us to convict other people of their sin. The ministry has such variety and when never know when Almighty God will next use us. This coming week be ready and prepared for the Living God to use you and flow through you.

Sandy Shaw

Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.