Tag Archives: Bible

Today’s Manna – Luke 8:27-29

Posted on by
Reply

“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. 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!” For Jesus had commanded the impure 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.” Luke 8: 27-29

Not a Pretty Picture
Mark 5 lends more information on the condition of the demoniac. In the lands surrounding Palestine, demonic possession in Jesus’ day was not uncommon. Demon worship and even dedicating one’s child to the Devil was not unheard of. Thus, it could be that this no-name person has been demon-possessed for quite some time. This demoniac is not a pretty sight. His arms and legs are most likely ringed with concentric layers of scar tissue, the result of repeatedly pulling at the chains that others used to try and confine him to this place of the living dead. Now free of those chains (Mk. 5:3), he tortures himself by gashing his body with stones. Some of his recent wounds might still be oozing puss and blood. From both a physical and a spiritual perspective, he is nauseating and repulsive to behold!

Today’s Manna – Luke 8:26-27

Posted on by
Reply

“They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 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.”  Luke 8:26-27

Who got out of the boat?
As the boat finally reached the eastern edge of the Sea of Galilee and the bow wedged into the stony shore, we need to carefully read Luke’s account of this journey. It seems Luke is telling us that only Jesus got out of the boat! This is re-enforced later when Luke refers to only Jesus getting back into the boat (8:37). Mark’s account likewise suggests that only Jesus got out of the boat 5:2&18).

Did they vote with their feet and stay put in the boat?
While in theory we would all say we are willing to travel closely with Jesus, there are times when our fears can cause us to stay put in our own boats.

Today’s Manna – Luke 8:26-29

Posted on by
Reply

“They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,which is across the lake from Galilee. 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. 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!”  For Jesus had commanded the impure 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.” Luke 8:26-29

To the “other side” on a rescue mission…

When Jesus chose to sail to the region of the Gerasenes the others  in the boat might have been wondering, “Why are we heading towards THIS?” An area Jewish people avoided for many reasons. Observant Jews have a few ritual purity No-No’s facing them here:

  • they are forbidden to set foot on Gentile soil (Acts 10:28)
  • they are prohibited from viewing a naked man and,
  • futhermore, have issues with tombs.

But Jesus demonstrated His love by getting out of the boat.

 

Today’s Manna – Joshua 1:7-8

Posted on by
Reply

God’s Presence

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:7-8

Joshua’s courage came from God’s presence. We are not alone, look at the promises of God to be with us —>

Continue reading →

Today’s Manna – Joshua 1:1-2

Posted on by
Reply

A Message of Courage

“After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.” Joshua 1:1-2

    Joshua faces the challenge of a new job, that brings forth change. God was asking Joshua to step out and step up, which can be very difficult but He gives us promises that gives us courage to do it and not to fear.

In 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 it says, “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Verse of the Day – Daniel 3:13-15

Posted on by
Reply

(After the Nebuchadnezzar the king decreed that everyone would bow down to an image he had erected, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego the young men from Israel refused)

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego;… 14 … “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” (Daniel 3: 13-15)

Ahhh, what god is here to rescue us indeed! None lower case, and none plural, but the one true God and the God of these three boys. Our God is faithful and He is willing to deliver us through our circumstances, from our circumstances or by the circumstances we find ourselves in. He is sovereign. In fact, He has already rescued us, finding us blameless through His son Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for your unfailing love for each one of us! Keep watching this week to see how our God delivers and rescues these three young men.

Verse of the Day – Luke 6:40

Posted on by
1

Students are not above their teacher, but all who are fully trained will be like their teacher. (Luke 6:40)

One reason why modeling is so important in the making of disciples is, as every parent can tell you, disciples—like children—become who you are and not what you teach them to be. The old saying is true: things are easier caught than taught.

Verse of the Day – 1 Timothy 4:12

Posted on by
1

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1Tim 4:12)

When it came to the ingredient of modeling for the disciple and disciple-maker of Jesus, Paul expressed that its effectiveness as a tool is not limited by age. Even the young can set an effective, inspiring example of speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, as any youth pastor can attest.

Verse of the Day – Mark 2:14

Posted on by
2

As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. (Mark 2:14)

Of all the gospels—in fact of all the books in the New Testament—none contains more Old Testament scripture quotations applied to Jesus than Matthew. Could he have followed Jesus because when Christ approached him he saw before him the fulfillment of all that he had studied for years before?

Verse of the Day – Dec 29

Posted on by
Reply

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:23)

In what sense is God WITH us? Second, He participates with us. It’s one thing to have someone present with us, but far better to know that he will actually participate with us through all life brings. His continual participation with us provides unquenchable hope.