The Madmen and The Pigs

The Madmen and the Pigs

 ^28-31They landed in the country of the Gadarenes and were met by two madmen, victims of demons, coming out of the cemetery. The men had terrorized the region for so long that no one considered it safe to walk down that stretch of road anymore. Seeing Jesus, the madmen screamed out, "What business do you have giving us a hard time? You're the Son of God! You weren't supposed to show up here yet!" Off in the distance a herd of pigs was browsing and rooting. The evil spirits begged Jesus, "If you kick us out of these men, let us live in the pigs."
 ^32-34Jesus said, "Go ahead, but get out of here!" Crazed, the pigs stampeded over a cliff into the sea and drowned. Scared to death, the swineherds bolted. They told everyone back in town what had happened to the madmen and the pigs. Those who heard about it were angry about the drowned pigs. A mob formed and demanded that Jesus get out and not come back.

This is from the Message Bible. What really stuck out for me today are the last two sentences. "Those who heard about it were angry about the drowned pigs. A mob formed and demanded that Jesus get out and not come back." WHAT? Does that not sound like 2010? The people were angry because the pigs drowned! Here they had been avoiding a section of town because these two men were so vicious. They avoided going near them and the Healer comes, makes the men new and the townsfolk are angry because pigs died? They valued the pigs more than the human soul. Is that where we are? Think about it. We will save the sea turtles and kill our human babies...

God is still dealing with us on the same issues. Although He does not grow weary in doing good, He must be thinking..."when are they going to learn?".  God, I pray today that you forgive our country and bless America once again. Give us boldness to speak your truth to the nation. Give us strenght to fight the enemy. Gather your people together and lead us as one against whatever is opposed to your Word. In Jesus name!

Are You Ready for Some Football? 5

"He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly"

Proverbs 14:29

Did you ever think about the fact that during a football game there are very few fights? With all the hitting and tackling and pushing and shoving the players control their anger. It is part of the game. They understand that if they do not control their anger, the team will be penalized, they can be personally fined or even thrown out of the game. That would be embarrassing for the team and the player and could cause them to lose the game.

God says that if you have control of your anger, you will have great understanding! Before you get upset and yell or say things that are not kind, try to think that if you say what you are thinking you will be penalized. What if what you say causes you to pay a fine? What if what you say throws you out of that relationship? Is it worth it?

Proverbs 10:31
The mouths of those who do right produce wisdom. But tongues that speak twisted words will be cut out.

Think first! Be wise! Speak healing

Psalm 5 - Chuck Girard with lyrics

The video is Psalm 5:1-3 but it is worth reading first and then listen...and listen again. Beautiful song.

Psalm 5

 ¹Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
 ²Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
 ³My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
 ⁴For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
 ⁵The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
 ⁶Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
 ⁷But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
 ⁸Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
 ⁹For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
 ¹⁰Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
 ¹¹But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
 ¹²For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Bring out the God-flavors!

Matthew 5
¹³"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
 ^14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Don't you love that? Bring out the God-flavors and God-colors. Doesn't that give you a more vivid picture? And then the question If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? I just think of the food we eat and how bland and horrible it would be without any salt. When by mistake I buy something that has no salt, I almost gag! Then I check the lable and realize why it tastes so bad. Think of that in the world we live. Things are good because we are the salt that flavors the earth. Take away God and what is left. Untastey, disgusting, nasty ______________ (fill in the blank). Everything would be useless. So, remember you are salt and you make this world better. Share that with the world who is without flavor.

Matthew 5! You Are Blessed

I was reading in The Message Bible today and was amazed how the writing of The Message Bible brought out these verses so clearly! I will be using this chapter for the next few days.

^1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
 ³"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
 ⁴"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
 ⁵"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
 ⁶"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
 ⁷"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
 ⁸"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
 ⁹"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
 ¹⁰"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
 ^11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Be blessed today my friend! Amazing how just when you need it, God ministers with words of understanding. I have read this chapter many times but this day, God really brought out the meaning to me.

A Message from Billy Graham

November 3, 2010 - Billy Graham encourages those who endure hardships.

He hears you when you cry to Him...He knows your hurt, your fear and groaning.

by Billy Graham

In a few days I’ll be 92. I would have never dreamed I would live this long. My wife, Ruth, passed away a little over three years ago, and a little bit of me died with her. I miss her more with each passing day. This was Ruth’s favorite time of year. She enjoyed watching the leaves turn and couldn’t wait to build a fire at the first hint of autumn. Always joyful, Ruth brightened up the darkest of days.
Foreboding clouds darken the world this side of Heaven as controversy swirls over the debate “who is a Christian.” USA Today ran an article last month by a professor from the University of Chicago stating, “America’s fastest-growing brand of belief is non-belief.” Confronted with the myriad of religions in the world, it isn’t difficult to see why people are finding it easier to accept them all—or none at all. But having faith in religion only clouds the truth. It brings greater confusion and deeper doubt, because religion can be anything! The Bible indeed sheds light on this dilemma that stirs in the human soul and carries the truth of redemption by the death of our Savior and His glorious resurrection. This is truth—God coming to man in a personal relationship. This is why He sent His Son to earth to redeem the human soul from sin that leads to despair.
The Bible says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:7–8, NIV).
Recently Dr. Mark O’Farrell, president of Trinity College in Florida (where I attended Bible school as a young man), sent me the school’s newsletter with a wonderful insight from Scripture. He is graciously allowing me to share this tremendous spiritual application with you as to the state of despair that so many are experiencing today.
The Bible tells of the children of Israel who were enslaved in Egypt. One of their major tasks was to make bricks by an ancient process that required mixing clay and straw. The Egyptian taskmasters stopped providing the necessary straw, ordering the laborers to find their own straw, but with no adjustment in the quota of bricks they were required to produce. What was necessary to accomplish the work was taken away even though the expectation and demands remained the same.
Have you experienced this kind of despair—having to make bricks without straw? The income is no longer there, but the bills keep coming. Resources and workers are cut, but not the workload. Age or health robs strength, but life’s duties remain. A wife or husband is gone, yet family responsibilities continue. What is your straw that has been taken away even though you must somehow still complete the task or fulfill the responsibility?
The Bible says, “The people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. ... God heard their groaning. ... God saw the people of Israel—and God knew” (Exodus 2:23–25, ESV). God knows your heartaches! He hears you when you cry to Him. He knows that your straw has been taken away. He knows your hurt, your fear and groaning. He knows! And He is doing something about it. “I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them” (Exodus 3:7).
May God bless you,
Billy Graham

Are You Ready for Some Football? 4

Give, and it will be given to you. A good amount will be poured into your lap. It will be pressed down, shaken together, and running over. The same amount you give will be measured out to you. Luke 6:38

Leo Lewis graduated from the University of Missouri where he played as a wide receiver. After trying out with the St. Louis Cardinals and playing a year in the Canadian Foodball League, he joined the Minnesota Vikings in 1981.

Leo gives all the credit for his ability and talent for playing football to God. Leo says, "When I play football, I play for God. Imagine if your father came to watch you play. You'd want to play your very best and make hi happy. I know, that at every game, my heavenly Father is watching me play. Nothing motivates me more than to please Him by giving my best effort. God not only motivates me to do my best, he also picks me up when I fall short. He's there with me whether I win or lose.. Playing in the NFL, your team can be up one week and down the next. What a joy it is to know that whether our team wins or loses, God, along with my wife and children, will accept me and love me just as I am."

God cares for you just as much as he cares for Leo. he has given you abilities and talents to magnify Him. Will you use them for His glory?