What ever happened to...

Lk 8:38  Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39  Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

So many people were touched by, healed by, fed by the miraculous hand of Jesus. We wonder what ever became of them. The Word gives us follow up on some of them. Here is one. The Gadarene man who had been possessed was cleansed and restored to society. There, he told all about the great things Christ did for him.

Some churches are full of people who were touched by the grace of God and are living to tell about it. But not all follow through. We would not have room in a church 10 times the present size of ours to hold all the people whom God has miraculously delivered if they were as tenacious as this man from Gadara in a willingness to follow Him and spread the good word.

If you are reading this, you are probably one who has been changed, touched, delivered. Are you publishing throughout your whole city how great things Jesus has done for you?

Disciplettes

Lk 8:1  And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 2  And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3  And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

In my ignorance, I was bothered by the portrayal of the regular presence of Mary Magdalene with Jesus and the disciples in the new blockbuster movie, Son of God.

Then I read this passage which tells us that, not only Mary, but other faithful woman accompanied this evangelistic band throughout the region where the gospel was carried. Not only so, but they opened up their pocket books to supply the traveling needs.

Thank God for wonderful, loving, sacrificing, hard-working ladies of God with a heart for the work of God!

God, please give us many like-hearted servants for your work as we continue to preach the gospel to our Jerusalems, Judeas, Samarias and the uttermost part of the earth! Amen!

TIME for a CHANGE SUNDAY

Ah, that beautiful day of the year when we all get an hour’s less sleep! There may be those few who miss Sunday school or the ones who will drive into the church parking lot for Worship wondering why so many are driving toward the restaurants. You know who you are!

Indeed, is there another day in which “spring forward” can mean we lose so much of our spring?

     

Do you realize that no day of the week means change as much as Sunday? I mean, how many major life changes have taken place in the pew, at an altar, in a Sunday school class?

     

And, how has the world changed because of those decisions made on a Sunday in the Lord’s house? Think of the many that have gone off to Bible college and eventually to the mission field, a church or some other ministry. As a result of a decision made at the close of a Sunday sermon, many hundreds or thousands of lives may be transformed.

     

So yeah, this is time change Sunday, but, let God speak to your heart today and something He may change in you could change the world.

    

 Perhaps this is your time for a change Sunday.

Showing Mercy

Luke 6:36  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Mercy is the act of not giving punitively that which is deserved.

Luis Palau relates the story of a mother’s plea for mercy: A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death. 

"But I don't ask for justice," the mother explained. "I plead for mercy." 

"But your son does not deserve mercy," Napoleon replied. 

"Sir," the woman cried, "it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for." 

"Well, then," the emperor said, "I will have mercy." And he spared the woman's son. 

Opportunities to show mercy:

1. Lend to sinners, realizing you may not be repaid. 34, 35

2. Love the unlovely, the unthankful, even the evil. In a word, your enemies. 35

3. Don't judge when you have the right to do so. 37

4. Condemn not. 37

5. Grant forgiveness. 37

I am touched by a little known story of mercy by one of our great presidents. Years after the death of President Calvin Coolidge, this story came to light. In the early days of his presidency, Coolidge awoke one morning in his hotel room to find a cat burglar going through his pockets. Coolidge spoke up, asking the burglar not to take his watch chain because it contained an engraved charm he wanted to keep. Coolidge then engaged the thief in quiet conversation and discovered he was a college student who had no money to pay his hotel bill or buy a ticket back to campus. Coolidge counted $32 out of his wallet -- which he had also persuaded the dazed young man to give back! -- declared it to be a loan, and advised the young man to leave the way he had come so as to avoid the Secret Service! (Yes, the loan was paid back.) 

Perhaps today some situation will press itself upon you to show mercy. Seize the opportunity and be blessed.

When You are Overwhelmed by Your Enemies

Psa 56:1  To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. 2  Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. 3  What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4  In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. 5  Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6  They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. 7  Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God. 8  Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? 9  When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. 10  In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. 11  In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. 12  Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. 13  For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Note the intro to the Psalm and understand what David was up against as he wrote this. 

 

1. Realize that it is a daily battle – 1. We are in a constant warfare with the enemy. You can never let your guard down.

2. Recognize the enemies are many and varied - 2

3. Keep trusting in God - 3 He knows what you are going through and is watching over you.

4. Stay in the Word!  - 4

5. Don't fear what man can do to you - 4

6. Trust that God is keeping record and will reward you - 8

7. Pray as if everything depends on it, it does - 9

8. Praise Him in the midst of it all - 10

9. Trust Him implicitly - 11

10. Know that He keeps His Word - 12

11. Know that delivery is on its way - 13