QT 28 Jun 13, Withdrawal from society is not an option

Luke 8:26-33 (NIV) They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!" 29 For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. 30 Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. 32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

NOTE: As has been seen in other instances, there is no doubt in the demonic world about Jesus' identity or authority. Jesus is the Son of the Most High God. Jesus has authority over all things. The question and request of the demoniac are very enlightening: "what do you want with me" and "don't torture me." These statements tell us two things about the mindset of the demons. One, the demons are separated from God (by choice) and have no part in the kingdom. So they wonder, why does Jesus even confront them? Arguably, Satan is the prince of this world and they have freedom to act. But even though Satan is the ruler of the kingdom of the air, he can still be trumped by the King of Kings. Secondly, the request shows that they recognize they are deserving of punishment. But, they request for more time. Ultimately, they will be thrown into the lake of fire and receive eternal punishment. And the Abyss is a prison to hold them until the time of the tribulation. It is a place worth avoiding at all costs but deserving in all respects.

Another thought is that the demons drive the man into solitary places. While solitary places can be good for a time -- a retreat, time alone with God, etc., -- when the way of life is solitary and separated, this is a place demons prefer. Why? Because when we are away from people, we don't have to let their morals affect how we live (or revive guilt in our conscience). The town shackled the man and kept him in town, but demons don't like to be shackled by society, culture, or laws. So, the demons broke the shackles and went away from people. So, there is a danger when our actions or attitudes show rejection of rules or a desire to separate ourselves from people. Church and fellowship are actually for our good and when we withdraw, we do so to our own hurt. Likewise, while not all rules are good, rule-following is generally a good idea.

QT 25 Jun 13, Never forget to thank God for the blessings in life

1 Sam 2:3-5 (NIV) "Do not keep talking so proudly

or let your mouth speak such arrogance,

for the Lord is a God who knows,

and by him deeds are weighed.

4 "The bows of the warriors are broken,

but those who stumbled are armed with strength.

5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food,

but those who were hungry hunger no more.

She who was barren has borne seven children,

but she who has had many sons pines away.

NOTE: You never know what tomorrow brings is the basic message of this part of Hannah's prayer. It is also a warning to never think too highly of yourself or to take credit for accomplishments you have experienced. It can easily all be gone in a heartbeat. Instead of arrogance and proud talk, thanksgiving is the best course.

Lord, I have a lot that I need to give thanks. You have provided a wonderful job, and every year fun tasks. You have provided a home and a ministry, both of which I could never have dreamed of living. I thank you for my wife and children. I thank you for my lot in life. I thank you for the person that you have crafted. Having said that, I would like to grow more in humility and in holiness. I want to be bolder in sharing the gospel. I want to be a good witness to the people you have placed around me. Thank you, thank you, thank you -- I am undeserving of your goodness to me.

QT 13 Jun 13, Do you want to make an impact? Start with the small stuff

1 Sam 1:1-6 (NIV) There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.

3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. 4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. 6 And because the Lord had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.

NOTE: This forms a bridge between Judges and the introduction of a new period in Israel. Not only does it also introduce Samuel but it shows what life was like in those days. A number of negative things stand out. One, Elkanah had two wives (a common practice but still wrong). The other wife bullied and provoked Hannah, instead of showing love and mercy. Hophni and Phinehas, two wicked men, were the priests. They regularly stole from the offerings and used their position to bed women. Eli, while not mentioned here, was so fat that he died falling over. And in the midst of all this ugliness is one young women whose heart's desire is to have a child. It has a lot of similarity to Mary's story. God begins a work in a young lady with a heart to do what is right. While the rest of the nation is falling apart, God has slowly begun a work that will transform the nation.

The small things may not seem important, but how do we know if our obedience in the small things might not result in a major change years from now. God desires men and women with a heart to seek him and to do what is right. He can use what the world sees as weak in something incredibly strong.