Here we are entering the last Friday of June and about to enter the Month of July. I had to go for an ambulatory surgical procedure today. The surgeon had to remove a couple spots on my ankle and one spot on my scalp. I am home now, resting and praying.
Many years ago I heard Josh McDonald share about the death of his mom and dad. While Josh McDowell was attending seminary in California, his father died. He knew his father was a Christian and went to heaven. But his mother had died years earlier when Josh wasn’t a believer and he wasnt’ sure whether or not she was a Christian. He became depressed thinking that perhaps his mother had died lost without Jesus. "Was she a Christian or not?" The thought obsessed him. "Lord", he prayed, "somehow give me the answer so I can get back to normal. I’ve just got to know." It seemed like an impossible request.
Two days later, Josh drove out to the ocean. He walked to the end of a pier seeking solitude. But when he got to the end of the pier there sat an old woman in a lawn chair, fishing. "Where’s your home originally?", she asked.
"Michigan - Union City," Josh replied. "Nobody’s heard of it. I tell people it’s a suburb of -"
"Battle Creek", interrupted the woman. "I had a cousin from there. Did you know the McDowell family?"
Stunned, Josh responded, "Yes, I’m Josh McDowell!"
"I can’t believe it!", said the woman. "I’m a cousin to your mother."
"Do you remember anything at all about my mother’s spiritual life?", asked Josh.
"Why sure - your mom and I were just girls - teenagers - when a tent revival came to town. It was the fourth night - we both went forward to accept Christ".
"Praise God!" Josh shouted, startling the surrounding fishermen.
No wonder the apostle James said, "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results." (James 5:16b) The Lord answers prayer. He listens to us when we call on Him. He knows our name. He meets us where we are. He leads beyond our selves to Himself.
In Him,
Brown
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Brown's Daily Word 6-28-07
Praise the Lord for all His gifts to us and for all His promises to us. Praise the Lord for Summertime. We had some refreshing rains yesterday, praise the Lord for showers of blessings. I'm scheduled to officiate six weddings in the next few weeks. Jesus loves weddings. He showed up in Cana of Galilee at a wedding reception and performed His first miracle as it is recorded in John 2. The Lord ordained family and marriage. In the book of Genesis we read God's wonderful plan for our lives. He created Adam and Eve and not Adam and Steve. We live in a confused culture that rebels blatantly against the Lord's Holy plans. But the Lord has ordained home and marriage for our wellness and wholeness. The home was meant to be a redemptive force in our lives. The family is where we learn about healing. When we have been wounded by the world, the home should be a place of retreat. When we have been beat up by the world, the home should be a place where we are built up. When we have been wounded by the world, home is where our wounds are mended and our hurts are healed. We need to learn how to restore each other and restore our relationships. Franklin Graham was with us here in New York for The NYPENN Franklin Graham Festival just a few weeks ago. The Lord blessed us and our region bountifully. through the ministry of Franklin Graham.. Franklin shared with us that It was not easy being Billy’s son. When he was born on July 14, 1952, the fourth of five children, the letters poured in predicting that he would be everything from a famous preacher to the pope. At an early age he learned that everyone expected him to fill his father’s shoes. But Franklin had no aspirations of being like his father. Some said he was a difficult child growing up, but his mother said he was just a normal boy — “Just as good as he could be, and just as bad as he could get by with.” But his rebellious spirit grew, and he began drinking heavily. He loved motorcycles and began traveling the world. He writes openly about his rebellion in his book Rebel with a Cause. At age 22 he was in Jerusalem, staying in a hotel when the Spirit of God began to break in upon his life. He realized that just being the son of Billy Graham was not going to get him into heaven. That night he committed his life to Christ. His ministry is totally different from his father’s. He says, “I’ve been called to the slums of the streets and the ditches of the world.” There has been a complete turnaround in his life, and it is due to a family. They continued to believe in him and pray for him. It was the redemptive influence in his life. It brought forgiveness, healing and reconciliation. Without their continued love, in spite of their disappointment over the choices he was making, he would have been the prodigal who never came home.
This is how the Lord wants our families to operate. We continue to believe in the people in our home and pull them in rather than push them away. We heal each other rather than hurt. We look for the good in spite of past performance. The Bible says, “Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, ).
In 1502 in Florence, Italy a large block of marble was donated to a church in Santa Maria. The church hired a sculptor whom they assumed was experienced in working with marble. However, the man was not as capable as he claimed to be, and soon after beginning, it appeared that he had ruined the magnificent piece of stone. For a long time the church draped a large sheet over it not knowing what else to do. But a certain man known as Michelangelo heard what had happened, and out of curiosity went to examine it. After some time, he began to work on the marble and found its grain to be beautiful. As he began to sculpt what was once thought to be ruined, he created one of the great art pieces of all time — the statue of David. There are people today who appear to others to be a ruined mess — a lost cause. They have made life-altering mistakes. They are broken. But God has given us families that we might be healed and restored to life. We don’t want our disappointments to lead to missed opportunities to restore and heal.
The family is where we learn about our worth. We understand our worth to God because we have worth from our family members. We are not accepted based on our performance, but our standing as members of the family. We love our children, not because they make us proud, but because they are our children and no one can take their place in our lives. They don’t have to accomplish great things to be appreciated. Our acceptance is not based on how beautiful we are, how intelligent, how strong or how successful. Our acceptance is based on the fact that we are a creation of God and important to Him. The Bible says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
The Bible says, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). God will bless you when you bless those who curse you because you want to reverse the cycle. The apostle Paul said, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:17-18). Sometimes it is possible and sometimes it is not. But obeying these important scriptural injunctions will not only bring a blessing, they will bring healing to our home. Every family has its own set of dysfunctions, whether that is in the immediate family or the extended family. We don’t want to continue those dysfunctions, we want to stop them and even reverse them. . We will not allow the sins and sickness of past generations affect our family and home. Jesus breaks power of sin. He breaks the power of canceled sin. He sets the prisoner free. He has the power to break the bondage in our lives, He is able to remove the generational curse from us. He makes all things new in His time. He restores us and keeps us in the hollow of His Hand so that we can serve Him with joyful obedience.The family is where we learn about service. Our homes should be where we learn how to live unselfishly — from the earliest years where we teach our children how to share, to adulthood where we learn to share the responsibilities and work in the home. We learn how to think of the needs of others. We put others first. We go out of our way to serve, even when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable. The Bible says, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:1). We become imitators of God and participate in his character as we become his servants in administering His grace. We lose our lives in order to gain our lives. We lose ourselves in serving others as we put their needs before our own. When this is not present, then chaos ensues. The Bible says, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:16). Dysfunction in the family, or on a personal level, comes when we put ourselves first. Paul wrote: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). I love the story of Marian Preminger who was born in Hungary in 1913. As a child she lived in a castle, the daughter of an aristocratic family, surrounded by maids, tutors, governesses, butlers, and chauffeurs. Her grandmother, who lived with them, insisted that whenever they traveled, they take their own linen, because she believed it was beneath their dignity to sleep on sheets used by common people. Marian attended school in Vienna and met a handsome young Viennese doctor. They eloped and married when she was only eighteen. The marriage lasted only a year, and she returned to Vienna undeterred, and began a career as an actress. While auditioning for a play, she met the brilliant young German director, Otto Preminger. They married shortly after, and went to America, where he began his career as a movie director. Marian was caught up in the glamour, and superficial excitement, and soon began to live a sordid life. When Preminger discovered it, he divorced her. Marian returned to Europe to live the life of a socialite in Paris. In 1948 she learned through the newspaper that Albert Schweitzer, the man she had read about as a little girl, was making a visit to Europe and was staying at Gunsbach. She called and made an appointment to see Dr. Schweitzer the next day. When Marian arrived in Gunsbach she discovered he was in the village church playing the organ. She listened and turned pages of music for him. Afterwards they talked, and by the end of the day a light came on inside of her that enabled her to see life in a whole new way. When Schweitzer returned to Africa he invited her to come to Lambarene and work in the hospital. Marian became a different person. There in Lambarene, the girl who was born in a castle and raised like a princess, who was accustomed to being waited on with all the luxuries of a spoiled life, became a servant. She changed bandages, bathed babies, fed lepers — and became free. Marian wrote her autobiography and called it, "All I Ever Wanted Was Everything." She died in 1979, but she was fond of quoting Albert Schweitzer who said, There are two classes of people in this world — the helpers, and the non-helpers.” Marian decided she would be a helper. That was quite a change from the girl who always looked down on servants. But by the transforming grace of God she became one. May it be so with all of us.
In Jesus,
Brown
This is how the Lord wants our families to operate. We continue to believe in the people in our home and pull them in rather than push them away. We heal each other rather than hurt. We look for the good in spite of past performance. The Bible says, “Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, ).
In 1502 in Florence, Italy a large block of marble was donated to a church in Santa Maria. The church hired a sculptor whom they assumed was experienced in working with marble. However, the man was not as capable as he claimed to be, and soon after beginning, it appeared that he had ruined the magnificent piece of stone. For a long time the church draped a large sheet over it not knowing what else to do. But a certain man known as Michelangelo heard what had happened, and out of curiosity went to examine it. After some time, he began to work on the marble and found its grain to be beautiful. As he began to sculpt what was once thought to be ruined, he created one of the great art pieces of all time — the statue of David. There are people today who appear to others to be a ruined mess — a lost cause. They have made life-altering mistakes. They are broken. But God has given us families that we might be healed and restored to life. We don’t want our disappointments to lead to missed opportunities to restore and heal.
The family is where we learn about our worth. We understand our worth to God because we have worth from our family members. We are not accepted based on our performance, but our standing as members of the family. We love our children, not because they make us proud, but because they are our children and no one can take their place in our lives. They don’t have to accomplish great things to be appreciated. Our acceptance is not based on how beautiful we are, how intelligent, how strong or how successful. Our acceptance is based on the fact that we are a creation of God and important to Him. The Bible says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
The Bible says, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). God will bless you when you bless those who curse you because you want to reverse the cycle. The apostle Paul said, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:17-18). Sometimes it is possible and sometimes it is not. But obeying these important scriptural injunctions will not only bring a blessing, they will bring healing to our home. Every family has its own set of dysfunctions, whether that is in the immediate family or the extended family. We don’t want to continue those dysfunctions, we want to stop them and even reverse them. . We will not allow the sins and sickness of past generations affect our family and home. Jesus breaks power of sin. He breaks the power of canceled sin. He sets the prisoner free. He has the power to break the bondage in our lives, He is able to remove the generational curse from us. He makes all things new in His time. He restores us and keeps us in the hollow of His Hand so that we can serve Him with joyful obedience.The family is where we learn about service. Our homes should be where we learn how to live unselfishly — from the earliest years where we teach our children how to share, to adulthood where we learn to share the responsibilities and work in the home. We learn how to think of the needs of others. We put others first. We go out of our way to serve, even when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable. The Bible says, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:1). We become imitators of God and participate in his character as we become his servants in administering His grace. We lose our lives in order to gain our lives. We lose ourselves in serving others as we put their needs before our own. When this is not present, then chaos ensues. The Bible says, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:16). Dysfunction in the family, or on a personal level, comes when we put ourselves first. Paul wrote: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). I love the story of Marian Preminger who was born in Hungary in 1913. As a child she lived in a castle, the daughter of an aristocratic family, surrounded by maids, tutors, governesses, butlers, and chauffeurs. Her grandmother, who lived with them, insisted that whenever they traveled, they take their own linen, because she believed it was beneath their dignity to sleep on sheets used by common people. Marian attended school in Vienna and met a handsome young Viennese doctor. They eloped and married when she was only eighteen. The marriage lasted only a year, and she returned to Vienna undeterred, and began a career as an actress. While auditioning for a play, she met the brilliant young German director, Otto Preminger. They married shortly after, and went to America, where he began his career as a movie director. Marian was caught up in the glamour, and superficial excitement, and soon began to live a sordid life. When Preminger discovered it, he divorced her. Marian returned to Europe to live the life of a socialite in Paris. In 1948 she learned through the newspaper that Albert Schweitzer, the man she had read about as a little girl, was making a visit to Europe and was staying at Gunsbach. She called and made an appointment to see Dr. Schweitzer the next day. When Marian arrived in Gunsbach she discovered he was in the village church playing the organ. She listened and turned pages of music for him. Afterwards they talked, and by the end of the day a light came on inside of her that enabled her to see life in a whole new way. When Schweitzer returned to Africa he invited her to come to Lambarene and work in the hospital. Marian became a different person. There in Lambarene, the girl who was born in a castle and raised like a princess, who was accustomed to being waited on with all the luxuries of a spoiled life, became a servant. She changed bandages, bathed babies, fed lepers — and became free. Marian wrote her autobiography and called it, "All I Ever Wanted Was Everything." She died in 1979, but she was fond of quoting Albert Schweitzer who said, There are two classes of people in this world — the helpers, and the non-helpers.” Marian decided she would be a helper. That was quite a change from the girl who always looked down on servants. But by the transforming grace of God she became one. May it be so with all of us.
In Jesus,
Brown
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Brown's Daily Word 6-27-07
It is one of the ten best days. It is my kind of day. Praise the Lord. This morning I'm looking at Acts Chapter 10. How the Lord of grace and power, might and mercy captured stubborn Peter and seized his heart and mind and brought about a great transformation from within. Very often we are stubborn and obstinate, set in our sin and self. It takes Divine intervention to bring about the change in our lives. The Lord transformed the life of Peter and used him to bring transformation to others through the ministry of word and deed. Few people realize how important it is to love not just in word, but in deed and in truth. Research experts tell us we communicate only 7% with our words, 35% with our tone of voice and 58% with our actions. Peter knew that it was easy to say the right things but difficult to live them out - especially with a visit to the house of a Gentile - Roman centurion. Peter’s visit to the house of Cornelius communicated more than a thousand sermons and with much greater effects. The apostle’s visit to the house of Cornelius sent ripples of acceptance, love and spiritual empowerment to most of the Gentile world. Peter’s presence meant that the truth of the gospel was about to overcome difficult social, political and religious barriers. According to Jewish law, Peter was prohibited from entering in to a home of a Gentile. Peter’s visit took great courage, faith and obedience. Healing could now begin because of one single person’s willingness to prove Christâs love through a visit. It can also happen in your lives this week. Never underestimate the power of a loving word, a kind note, a phone call, an email or a word of appreciation. Let us ask the Lord to help us to use more than just words to communicate love, truth and the power of the Gospel to others. Peter risked being labeled as one who was ceremonially unclean by his own people because of his visit to the house of Cornelius. Peter was fully cognizant of the fact that the Jewish leaders would now try to inhibit him from worshipping in the temple. Let us ask the Lord to help us risk friendships, associations and connections for the sake of the Gospel. Let's remember that God’s purposes, processes and power are able to replace whatever is given up for Him. Let us not fear critical stereotypes. Critics often reveal more about their own narrow mindedness than they do about any deficiencies in you. Let's ask the Lord to help us be more willing to make the necessary sacrifices to see His purposes fulfilled in us and through us. When Peter entered the house of Cornelius, the Centurion fell at his feet to show respect, appreciation and acceptance. Acts of extending love over barriers is often a surprisingly positive experience. Many people have been pleasantly surprised by the way their acts of courage are able to accomplish more than they anticipated. Let us ask the Lord to help us to expect great things from God and attempt great things for Him. Peter learned that the best means to put away his doubt was to act on truth. When a person becomes so busy in applying God’s truth they tend to forget their troubles, fears and anger.
Let us ask the Lord to help us put away our doubts by acting on whatever we know to be true, wholesome and pleasing to the Lord. One act of kindness can build a lifelong habit of joy, satisfaction and greater faith. Peter learned that answers to his most perplexing questions came as he was in the process of obeying God’s truth. The more we obey the more God reveals truth to us. If we wait until we have all the answers to our questions it is doubtful that we will accomplish anything. Many people spend too much time acquiring information they never use. Let's follow the example of Peter and let the Lord answer our questions as we are in the process of carrying out His directives. Peter realized that the burden of his prejudices tended to melt away as He engaged in a ministry of love to the Gentiles. I t is hard to overcome one’s prejudices unless we are willing to start to express love for those we dislike. Peter wrote, "But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity." (2 Pet 3:18) Let us concentrate on growing in greater maturity regarding our God’s all sufficient grace to replace every weakness, burden or problem we have. Let us find our answers to every problem in the praise of the attributes of God. Find greater power, purpose and perspective when you praise God for the fact that He gives us every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Eph. 1:3) Even though all of Peter’s questions about ministering to the Gentiles were not answered until after the Jerusalem council in Acts 15, the burden of ministering to them was lifted in the process of his obedience. Let's ask the Lord to deliver us from the pressures, stresses and burdens as we trust and obey. Peter’s activity stopped the brooding, anger and doubting in his mind. The best remedy for our anger, fears and broodings is to act on what we know to be true. We may not have all the peace we would like but as we obey God gives us the grace just in the nick of time. Let us ask the Lord to help us to move ahead with the information we have and He will stop the brooding, anger and doubting fears that are troubling your mind. Dr. J.B. Gambrel tells an amusing story from General Stonewall Jackson’s famous valley campaign. Jackson’s army found itself on one side of a river when it needed to be on the other side. After telling his engineers to plan and build a bridge so the army could cross, he called his wagon master in to tell him that it was urgent the wagon train cross the river as soon as possible. The wagon master started gathering all the logs, rocks and fence rails he could find and built a bridge. Long before day light General Jackson was told by his wagon master all the wagons and artillery had crossed the river. General Jackson asked where are the engineers and what are they doing? The wagon master’s only reply was that they were in their tent drawing up plans for a bridge.
Have a wonderful day in the Lord.
Pastor Brown
God, to redeem us at the deepest portion of our nature - the urge to love and be loved - must reveal His nature in an incredible and impossible way. He must reveal it at a cross.
E. Stanley Jones
Here he tells us that the new birth is first of all 'not of blood'. You don't get it through the blood stream, through heredity. Your parents can give you much, but they cannot give you this.
E. Stanley Jones
If the Holy Spirit can take over the subconscious with our consent and cooperation, then we have almighty Power working at the basis of our lives, then we can do anything we ought to do, go anywhere we ought to go, and be anything we ought to be.
E. Stanley Jones
In conversion you are not attached primarily to an order, nor to an institution, nor a movement, nor a set of beliefs, nor a code of action - you are attached primarily to a Person, and secondarily to these other things.
E. Stanley Jones
Let us ask the Lord to help us put away our doubts by acting on whatever we know to be true, wholesome and pleasing to the Lord. One act of kindness can build a lifelong habit of joy, satisfaction and greater faith. Peter learned that answers to his most perplexing questions came as he was in the process of obeying God’s truth. The more we obey the more God reveals truth to us. If we wait until we have all the answers to our questions it is doubtful that we will accomplish anything. Many people spend too much time acquiring information they never use. Let's follow the example of Peter and let the Lord answer our questions as we are in the process of carrying out His directives. Peter realized that the burden of his prejudices tended to melt away as He engaged in a ministry of love to the Gentiles. I t is hard to overcome one’s prejudices unless we are willing to start to express love for those we dislike. Peter wrote, "But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity." (2 Pet 3:18) Let us concentrate on growing in greater maturity regarding our God’s all sufficient grace to replace every weakness, burden or problem we have. Let us find our answers to every problem in the praise of the attributes of God. Find greater power, purpose and perspective when you praise God for the fact that He gives us every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Eph. 1:3) Even though all of Peter’s questions about ministering to the Gentiles were not answered until after the Jerusalem council in Acts 15, the burden of ministering to them was lifted in the process of his obedience. Let's ask the Lord to deliver us from the pressures, stresses and burdens as we trust and obey. Peter’s activity stopped the brooding, anger and doubting in his mind. The best remedy for our anger, fears and broodings is to act on what we know to be true. We may not have all the peace we would like but as we obey God gives us the grace just in the nick of time. Let us ask the Lord to help us to move ahead with the information we have and He will stop the brooding, anger and doubting fears that are troubling your mind. Dr. J.B. Gambrel tells an amusing story from General Stonewall Jackson’s famous valley campaign. Jackson’s army found itself on one side of a river when it needed to be on the other side. After telling his engineers to plan and build a bridge so the army could cross, he called his wagon master in to tell him that it was urgent the wagon train cross the river as soon as possible. The wagon master started gathering all the logs, rocks and fence rails he could find and built a bridge. Long before day light General Jackson was told by his wagon master all the wagons and artillery had crossed the river. General Jackson asked where are the engineers and what are they doing? The wagon master’s only reply was that they were in their tent drawing up plans for a bridge.
Have a wonderful day in the Lord.
Pastor Brown
God, to redeem us at the deepest portion of our nature - the urge to love and be loved - must reveal His nature in an incredible and impossible way. He must reveal it at a cross.
E. Stanley Jones
Here he tells us that the new birth is first of all 'not of blood'. You don't get it through the blood stream, through heredity. Your parents can give you much, but they cannot give you this.
E. Stanley Jones
If the Holy Spirit can take over the subconscious with our consent and cooperation, then we have almighty Power working at the basis of our lives, then we can do anything we ought to do, go anywhere we ought to go, and be anything we ought to be.
E. Stanley Jones
In conversion you are not attached primarily to an order, nor to an institution, nor a movement, nor a set of beliefs, nor a code of action - you are attached primarily to a Person, and secondarily to these other things.
E. Stanley Jones
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Brown's Daily Word 6-26-07
Good morning,
It is going to be one of the hottest days in NY and Summer is here. I did conduct a memorial service for a young man who died on the first day of Summer at 5:30 a.m. He was involved in a car accident. There were so many young people that came for the calling hours we had to post phone the service by one hour. This young man was my daughter Jessica's classmate. My heart was broken to see so many young people in grief and sorrow. I was also stunned to hear about this sudden tragic death of this young man. I could not fathom the massive grief that the parents are going through. I prayed to the Lord to give me His grace and wisdom to share the Good News of Jesus with the family and friends. The following is a portion of the message that I shared yesterday.
We live in an age that likes to make things that last. We have our plastic and non-breakable jars and cups. We buy a battery and are given a guarantee that it will last as long as we own our car. We all would like a guarantee that we could last forever. Wouldn’t that be great? We read in 2 Cor 4: 7ff that we are like a clay pot or earthen vessel. Pottery that can crack, get chipped and broken if dropped. Paul is telling us that life takes its toll on our physical strength and stamina. We wear out. The body is made of material that will not last forever. It is like a vessel that is to be used. It is meant to be filled and emptied to bless others in Jesus. As we read in 2 Cor. 4: 7 ff, "Outwardly, we are wasting away." We are encouraged to "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." When the temporary things pass away--and our earthly body is temporary--the eternal treasures of the heart remains. Our faith in Christ is eternal. In 1947, someone came across some old jars. These old earthen vessels contained the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are a very valuable source of study for the Church. The jars themselves were not so valuable, but the treasure of God’s Word inside was priceless. In a like way, we are like earthen vessels. The treasure is the eternal glory of God and the unseen things of the spiritual world. The vessel is the outer person which slowly wastes away. Paul says that death and life are both at work in the Christian’s heart. Death is within each of us, because we have sinned. It works its end of destruction and takes each of us down to the grave. But because of our faith in Christ, death does not defeat us. In fact, we have victory over the grave because of Jesus’ resurrection. What about our own lives? Where is our focus? On the physical or the spiritual? God wants you and me to focus our lives on Him and allow Him to mold us and make us into men and women, youth and children who realize that it is faith in Jesus Christ and the spirit of a person that is of prime importance. We can have a great treasure. The Lord has a Word for each of us in the midst of life, "We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." We need to grasp onto Jesus Christ so that we too might deal with the adversities of life and as a result gain that which is eternal...faith in Jesus Christ. In Spain, where Christopher Columbus died in 1506, there is a monument that commemorates that great discoverer. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the monument is the statue of a lion at the base of it, where the Spanish national motto is engraved. The lion is reaching out with its paw and destroying one of the Latin words that had been a part of Spain’s motto for centuries.
That motto was “No More Beyond.” See, before Columbus discovered America, Spain thought that everyone had already reached the outer limits of the earth. Columbus had proven that there really is “More Beyond”, and that is why the lion is tearing away at the “NO” in the motto, leaving “More Beyond.” There is “more beyond”. Everyone who is born into this world will also have to leave it, and for most people their deepest instincts and convictions tell them there is something beyond the grave. This place we call ‘home’, this sinful earth, has so many troubles, pain, anguish and hurt that it cannot really be a home. For each of us, there comes a particular moment when all time stops; a moment when we leave the bonds of time and enter another world; the world of eternity. In eternity, we shall go one of two places. We can be forever in the present of God, or forever without God. Death is not the end. Death for the Christian is just the beginning; the beginning of a journey that will lead to God. To a Christian, death is the doorway that just takes us home. Jesus who was a people person, He is the Man of all seasons and He is the Lord in all seasons. He loved people in such a way, He loved to be with them. He shared their joy and their sorrow. He showed up at wedding receptions and performed His miracles, He showed up at their funerals and wept with them. By the graveside of Lazarus He declared, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." It is a wonderful and glorious Good News that those who believe in Jesus will trust in Him as Lord and Savior, though they die they shall live forevermore. There is a mystery and a wonder about death we don't fully understand about it. There is a mystery about tragedy and suffering we cannon fully fathom it. Only in and through Jesus we can have a glimpse of Heaven and life beyond. Because of Jesus who came, who saw, who died and rose again, when we shall say goodnight here we shall say good morning up there where Christ is alive and He is the Light. In Revelation 21 we read, "The Lord shall wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away. And He who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Life on earth is short, eternity is very long, hell is for real and Heaven can be ours through Jesus Christ our Lord. We go to Heaven only in and through Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The Lord has made an invitation to all. And whosoever believes in Him shall not perish. All of us live in this world of a dissolving family circle. Mother is gone--Father is gone, or a child is gone, or our beloved grandparents are gone, or a close friend is gone. But the circle is unbroken in Heaven forever and ever. There is no death there, no sorrow or crying or pain, for these former things passed away.
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who first loved us and still loves us.
In Him,
Brown
It is going to be one of the hottest days in NY and Summer is here. I did conduct a memorial service for a young man who died on the first day of Summer at 5:30 a.m. He was involved in a car accident. There were so many young people that came for the calling hours we had to post phone the service by one hour. This young man was my daughter Jessica's classmate. My heart was broken to see so many young people in grief and sorrow. I was also stunned to hear about this sudden tragic death of this young man. I could not fathom the massive grief that the parents are going through. I prayed to the Lord to give me His grace and wisdom to share the Good News of Jesus with the family and friends. The following is a portion of the message that I shared yesterday.
We live in an age that likes to make things that last. We have our plastic and non-breakable jars and cups. We buy a battery and are given a guarantee that it will last as long as we own our car. We all would like a guarantee that we could last forever. Wouldn’t that be great? We read in 2 Cor 4: 7ff that we are like a clay pot or earthen vessel. Pottery that can crack, get chipped and broken if dropped. Paul is telling us that life takes its toll on our physical strength and stamina. We wear out. The body is made of material that will not last forever. It is like a vessel that is to be used. It is meant to be filled and emptied to bless others in Jesus. As we read in 2 Cor. 4: 7 ff, "Outwardly, we are wasting away." We are encouraged to "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." When the temporary things pass away--and our earthly body is temporary--the eternal treasures of the heart remains. Our faith in Christ is eternal. In 1947, someone came across some old jars. These old earthen vessels contained the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are a very valuable source of study for the Church. The jars themselves were not so valuable, but the treasure of God’s Word inside was priceless. In a like way, we are like earthen vessels. The treasure is the eternal glory of God and the unseen things of the spiritual world. The vessel is the outer person which slowly wastes away. Paul says that death and life are both at work in the Christian’s heart. Death is within each of us, because we have sinned. It works its end of destruction and takes each of us down to the grave. But because of our faith in Christ, death does not defeat us. In fact, we have victory over the grave because of Jesus’ resurrection. What about our own lives? Where is our focus? On the physical or the spiritual? God wants you and me to focus our lives on Him and allow Him to mold us and make us into men and women, youth and children who realize that it is faith in Jesus Christ and the spirit of a person that is of prime importance. We can have a great treasure. The Lord has a Word for each of us in the midst of life, "We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." We need to grasp onto Jesus Christ so that we too might deal with the adversities of life and as a result gain that which is eternal...faith in Jesus Christ. In Spain, where Christopher Columbus died in 1506, there is a monument that commemorates that great discoverer. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the monument is the statue of a lion at the base of it, where the Spanish national motto is engraved. The lion is reaching out with its paw and destroying one of the Latin words that had been a part of Spain’s motto for centuries.
That motto was “No More Beyond.” See, before Columbus discovered America, Spain thought that everyone had already reached the outer limits of the earth. Columbus had proven that there really is “More Beyond”, and that is why the lion is tearing away at the “NO” in the motto, leaving “More Beyond.” There is “more beyond”. Everyone who is born into this world will also have to leave it, and for most people their deepest instincts and convictions tell them there is something beyond the grave. This place we call ‘home’, this sinful earth, has so many troubles, pain, anguish and hurt that it cannot really be a home. For each of us, there comes a particular moment when all time stops; a moment when we leave the bonds of time and enter another world; the world of eternity. In eternity, we shall go one of two places. We can be forever in the present of God, or forever without God. Death is not the end. Death for the Christian is just the beginning; the beginning of a journey that will lead to God. To a Christian, death is the doorway that just takes us home. Jesus who was a people person, He is the Man of all seasons and He is the Lord in all seasons. He loved people in such a way, He loved to be with them. He shared their joy and their sorrow. He showed up at wedding receptions and performed His miracles, He showed up at their funerals and wept with them. By the graveside of Lazarus He declared, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." It is a wonderful and glorious Good News that those who believe in Jesus will trust in Him as Lord and Savior, though they die they shall live forevermore. There is a mystery and a wonder about death we don't fully understand about it. There is a mystery about tragedy and suffering we cannon fully fathom it. Only in and through Jesus we can have a glimpse of Heaven and life beyond. Because of Jesus who came, who saw, who died and rose again, when we shall say goodnight here we shall say good morning up there where Christ is alive and He is the Light. In Revelation 21 we read, "The Lord shall wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away. And He who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Life on earth is short, eternity is very long, hell is for real and Heaven can be ours through Jesus Christ our Lord. We go to Heaven only in and through Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The Lord has made an invitation to all. And whosoever believes in Him shall not perish. All of us live in this world of a dissolving family circle. Mother is gone--Father is gone, or a child is gone, or our beloved grandparents are gone, or a close friend is gone. But the circle is unbroken in Heaven forever and ever. There is no death there, no sorrow or crying or pain, for these former things passed away.
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who first loved us and still loves us.
In Him,
Brown
Monday, June 25, 2007
Brown's daily word 6-25-07
Praise the Lord for Summertime. Praise the Lord for the beauty of the Lord that is bountiful all around us. When our Lord lived on earth He spent much time outdoors by the beaches and on the hills and on the plains. He taught, preached and healed. He performed miracles and demonstrated mighty deeds, 24/7. Jesus must have loved Summertime, for He spent much of His time on the Sea of Galilee.
One of the readings from yesterday was taken from Luke Chapter 8. The disciples had just come through a life-threatening experience on the Sea of Galilee. A terrible storm had almost taken their lives, and in a moment of weakness, they thought that Jesus had forsaken them. Awakening Him in a panic, they cried out, “Save us or we perish!” The Lord spoke to the murderous winds, and said, “Be Muzzled,” and the winds were stilled. The Lord rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith in Him and all that He had taught them. They responded with humble hearts and were in awe of their Lord, as the boats drew close to the shore..That day would not end without another miracle taking place in the fading light of day. Suddenly, the quiet lapping of the water on the shore was interrupted by a piercing scream. Seemingly, out of nowhere, a wounded, naked man - hair matted, eyes wild, broken chains rattling from wrist and ankles, ran up to them on the shore and threw himself down at the feet of Jesus. Nothing that they had experienced prepared them for this.
Dr. Luke goes on to tell us that us that this man “had demons for a long time” the KJV says that, “he had devils for a long time” but in reality there is only one “devil” but there are many “demons.” When the Bible says that “he had many demons,” it means that he was “demon possessed” or literally “demonized,” that is “under the influence of one or more evil spirits.” The Bible speaks of demon possession rather matter-of-factly, without apology or excuse. C.S Lewis wrote about the confusion about demon possession when he wrote, “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about demons (devils). One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased with both errors …with the same delight.” [C.S. Lewis. The Screwtape Letters. (New York: MacMillan. 1971) p. 3 ]
Our world plays with spiritual forces rather than taking them seriously. Every day we see psychics advertise on Television, and the daily newspaper carries your daily horoscope. We tend to see these things as harmless and they are not. We need to be careful not to allow the forces of spiritual darkness to get a foot in the door of our minds through occult books, movies or even games such as “Dungeons and Dragons”. This is serious business, according to Ephesians 6:12 there is a very real spiritual battle being waged between the God and Satan over the lives and souls of men and women. It was going on during the ministry of Jesus, it was seen in the early days of the church, and it will continue in every generation until the Lord comes again and Satan and all of his demons are forever cast into the bottomless pit (Rev. 20:10). The power of the Devil is real and I believe we are seeing increased evidence of it today. We encounter a man here who is obviously fully demon possessed. He lives in a cemetery, for crying out loud!! He is a raving madman who cannot be bound by shackles and chains. He cries out in shrieks and wails all night long, as he cuts his body with stones. How could this apply to us? He is a reminder of the dilemma that is faced by every human that has not come under the influence of the saving power of Jesus Christ. Paul describes the condition of all believer’s prior to salvation in Ephesians 2:1-2, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” The story of the demon possessed man illustrates how a person can be so inwardly bound that he suffers inner pain and confusion. While he may throw off all outward restraint, he is unable to control what is going on within him. Sometimes, this bondage is caused by our human frailty. (v. 27b) “… And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs…”The townspeople in the past had subdued this man but he had broken his bonds and escaped taken up residence in the cemetery, the townspeople now have decided that the safest thing to do is to leave this man alone. “…For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. He appeared to be a raving lunatic who was extremely violent to himself and to anyone he chanced to meet. He had become his own worst enemy. “When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!"
It is reassuring to note that when Christ and Satan meet head to head that it is not a clash of titans with the outcome uncertain, Satan and his demons do not stand a chance when they come into contact with the full force of God’s power.
When our text says that he “fell down before Him” The demons that control this man proclaim, “Jesus, the son of the most High God,” unlike the religious rulers of the day the demons immediately recognized that Jesus was indeed the son of God. The demons ask Jesus in verse twenty-eight, “do not torment us” “For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. … (30) Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him. (31) And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.” When Jesus asked the demon for his name he was not simply requesting information. He asked in order that all could see how pitiful this man’s condition was. The demon responds that his name is “Legion.” A Roman legion consisted of 6,000 foot soldiers as well as 120 horsemen and other personnel. To the Jewish mind “legion” suggest great numbers; efficient and organized and relentless in strength. Jesus “… commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.” Jesus did not seek to calm the man but rather he confronted the demons that were abusing the man. In verse thirty-one the demons make a request of Jesus, “ And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. (32) Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. (33) Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.” Much to the shock of everyone, the swine unexpectedly Stampeded; the shock of suddenly being occupied by the demon spirits, caused the hogs to blindly charge down the hillside into the lake to rid themselves of their unwanted guests. “When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.” The word spreads fast when those tending the pigs fled into the city to report what had happened. When the people came out they found a completely different man than they had known. There is a word of hope here for those who have descended so far into sin, and have so many scars that they have given up on ever being made whole. In the life of the Demon possessed man when the deliverer comes there is New Life. His encounter with Christ has changed him completely in both his look and his outlook. In verse thirty-five we find that when the townspeople arrived they “… found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.” Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, that when we really commit our selves to Christ we are changed, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.” In verse thirty-eight we see that he also has a New Heart, for he “… begged Him that he might be with Him.” The healed man wanted to join Jesus’ band of disciples, but Jesus had a different calling in mind. but Jesus sent him away, saying, (39) "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you." And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” Jesus told him to “return to your own house” his testimony was to begin with those who knew him best and could see the change that Jesus had made in his life. . He was to testify of “what great things God has done for you.” Mark in his account tells us that the result of this man’s testimony was that “all marveled” (5:20). The townspeople, however, did not respond as the demon possessed man did. Verse thirty-seven reveals that “Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear…”. Following Jesus is now and always has been a choice. The townspeople chose to ask Jesus to leave. Sadly they would rather push Jesus away than risk Him changing their lives too. Far more people than we can imagine turn their backs on Christ or ask Him to go away because they fear He will disrupt their lives. Be careful about asking Jesus to leave you alone. The text tells us that “…And He got into the boat and returned.” Did you know that as far as we know Jesus never returned to the land of Gadarenes. Never! This was their only chance. We have to wonder just how different it might have been in their lives had these people invited Jesus to come into their city and into their lives, instead of asking Him to leave. Statistics today tell us that 85% of all people who do not accept Christ before they are 18 never will. So Jesus left. He simply got into the boat and departed. He didn’t beg. He didn’t plead. He didn’t threaten. He didn’t come back. Jesus takes charge only in the lives of those freely offered to Him.
Martin Luther penned these words in his great hymn of faith “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”
And though this world with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him –
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure:
One little word shall fell him.”
And that word my friend is “Jesus”
[Martin Luther. “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” in Praise: Our Songs and Hymns. (Nashville, Tenn.: Singspiration Associates, 1977) no. 333.]
The Continentals are coming! They will be performing on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. They'll be live in concert at Maine Endwell high school auditorium, Farm to Market Rd, Endwell. Those of you who live around here please join us with your family and friends for a great evening of worship and inspiration. They will be also in concert on Sunday, July 8 at 11:00 a.m. at the Union Center United Methodist Church located at 128 Maple Dr. Endicott.
The Russian Men's Ensemble will returning back to NY in November 2007. They are powerful and anointed. They will be performing at the Union Center United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 10 and Sunday November 11, 2007. They are looking for other churches to host them. If you would like to host them at your church please contact us at umcgospel.com.
This devotion is posted on my webpage at brownnaik.com
Janice and Jeremy are celebrating their seventh wedding anniversary today. Micah is growing up to be a young lady. As you know, Janice and Jeremy are expecting their second child to be born within next few days so please keep them in prayer.
Have a wonderful day in Jesus,
Brown
A man in a supermarket was pushing a cart which contained, among other things, a screaming baby. As the man proceeded along the aisles, he kept repeating softly, "Keep calm, George. Don't get excited, George. Don't yell, George."
A lady watched with admiration and then said, "You are certainly to be commended for your patience in trying to quiet little George."
"Lady," he declared, "I'M George!"
Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on Earth! I care not if I never raise my voice again for Him, if only I may love Him, please Him. Mayhap in mercy He shall give me a host of children that I may lead them through the vast star fields to explore His delicacies whose finger ends set them to burning. But if not, if only I may see Him, touch His garments, smile into His eyes -- ah then, not stars nor children shall matter, only Himself.
... Jim Elliot
One of the readings from yesterday was taken from Luke Chapter 8. The disciples had just come through a life-threatening experience on the Sea of Galilee. A terrible storm had almost taken their lives, and in a moment of weakness, they thought that Jesus had forsaken them. Awakening Him in a panic, they cried out, “Save us or we perish!” The Lord spoke to the murderous winds, and said, “Be Muzzled,” and the winds were stilled. The Lord rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith in Him and all that He had taught them. They responded with humble hearts and were in awe of their Lord, as the boats drew close to the shore..That day would not end without another miracle taking place in the fading light of day. Suddenly, the quiet lapping of the water on the shore was interrupted by a piercing scream. Seemingly, out of nowhere, a wounded, naked man - hair matted, eyes wild, broken chains rattling from wrist and ankles, ran up to them on the shore and threw himself down at the feet of Jesus. Nothing that they had experienced prepared them for this.
Dr. Luke goes on to tell us that us that this man “had demons for a long time” the KJV says that, “he had devils for a long time” but in reality there is only one “devil” but there are many “demons.” When the Bible says that “he had many demons,” it means that he was “demon possessed” or literally “demonized,” that is “under the influence of one or more evil spirits.” The Bible speaks of demon possession rather matter-of-factly, without apology or excuse. C.S Lewis wrote about the confusion about demon possession when he wrote, “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about demons (devils). One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased with both errors …with the same delight.” [C.S. Lewis. The Screwtape Letters. (New York: MacMillan. 1971) p. 3 ]
Our world plays with spiritual forces rather than taking them seriously. Every day we see psychics advertise on Television, and the daily newspaper carries your daily horoscope. We tend to see these things as harmless and they are not. We need to be careful not to allow the forces of spiritual darkness to get a foot in the door of our minds through occult books, movies or even games such as “Dungeons and Dragons”. This is serious business, according to Ephesians 6:12 there is a very real spiritual battle being waged between the God and Satan over the lives and souls of men and women. It was going on during the ministry of Jesus, it was seen in the early days of the church, and it will continue in every generation until the Lord comes again and Satan and all of his demons are forever cast into the bottomless pit (Rev. 20:10). The power of the Devil is real and I believe we are seeing increased evidence of it today. We encounter a man here who is obviously fully demon possessed. He lives in a cemetery, for crying out loud!! He is a raving madman who cannot be bound by shackles and chains. He cries out in shrieks and wails all night long, as he cuts his body with stones. How could this apply to us? He is a reminder of the dilemma that is faced by every human that has not come under the influence of the saving power of Jesus Christ. Paul describes the condition of all believer’s prior to salvation in Ephesians 2:1-2, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” The story of the demon possessed man illustrates how a person can be so inwardly bound that he suffers inner pain and confusion. While he may throw off all outward restraint, he is unable to control what is going on within him. Sometimes, this bondage is caused by our human frailty. (v. 27b) “… And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs…”The townspeople in the past had subdued this man but he had broken his bonds and escaped taken up residence in the cemetery, the townspeople now have decided that the safest thing to do is to leave this man alone. “…For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. He appeared to be a raving lunatic who was extremely violent to himself and to anyone he chanced to meet. He had become his own worst enemy. “When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!"
It is reassuring to note that when Christ and Satan meet head to head that it is not a clash of titans with the outcome uncertain, Satan and his demons do not stand a chance when they come into contact with the full force of God’s power.
When our text says that he “fell down before Him” The demons that control this man proclaim, “Jesus, the son of the most High God,” unlike the religious rulers of the day the demons immediately recognized that Jesus was indeed the son of God. The demons ask Jesus in verse twenty-eight, “do not torment us” “For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. … (30) Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him. (31) And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.” When Jesus asked the demon for his name he was not simply requesting information. He asked in order that all could see how pitiful this man’s condition was. The demon responds that his name is “Legion.” A Roman legion consisted of 6,000 foot soldiers as well as 120 horsemen and other personnel. To the Jewish mind “legion” suggest great numbers; efficient and organized and relentless in strength. Jesus “… commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.” Jesus did not seek to calm the man but rather he confronted the demons that were abusing the man. In verse thirty-one the demons make a request of Jesus, “ And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. (32) Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. (33) Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.” Much to the shock of everyone, the swine unexpectedly Stampeded; the shock of suddenly being occupied by the demon spirits, caused the hogs to blindly charge down the hillside into the lake to rid themselves of their unwanted guests. “When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.” The word spreads fast when those tending the pigs fled into the city to report what had happened. When the people came out they found a completely different man than they had known. There is a word of hope here for those who have descended so far into sin, and have so many scars that they have given up on ever being made whole. In the life of the Demon possessed man when the deliverer comes there is New Life. His encounter with Christ has changed him completely in both his look and his outlook. In verse thirty-five we find that when the townspeople arrived they “… found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.” Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, that when we really commit our selves to Christ we are changed, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.” In verse thirty-eight we see that he also has a New Heart, for he “… begged Him that he might be with Him.” The healed man wanted to join Jesus’ band of disciples, but Jesus had a different calling in mind. but Jesus sent him away, saying, (39) "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you." And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” Jesus told him to “return to your own house” his testimony was to begin with those who knew him best and could see the change that Jesus had made in his life. . He was to testify of “what great things God has done for you.” Mark in his account tells us that the result of this man’s testimony was that “all marveled” (5:20). The townspeople, however, did not respond as the demon possessed man did. Verse thirty-seven reveals that “Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear…”. Following Jesus is now and always has been a choice. The townspeople chose to ask Jesus to leave. Sadly they would rather push Jesus away than risk Him changing their lives too. Far more people than we can imagine turn their backs on Christ or ask Him to go away because they fear He will disrupt their lives. Be careful about asking Jesus to leave you alone. The text tells us that “…And He got into the boat and returned.” Did you know that as far as we know Jesus never returned to the land of Gadarenes. Never! This was their only chance. We have to wonder just how different it might have been in their lives had these people invited Jesus to come into their city and into their lives, instead of asking Him to leave. Statistics today tell us that 85% of all people who do not accept Christ before they are 18 never will. So Jesus left. He simply got into the boat and departed. He didn’t beg. He didn’t plead. He didn’t threaten. He didn’t come back. Jesus takes charge only in the lives of those freely offered to Him.
Martin Luther penned these words in his great hymn of faith “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”
And though this world with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him –
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure:
One little word shall fell him.”
And that word my friend is “Jesus”
[Martin Luther. “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” in Praise: Our Songs and Hymns. (Nashville, Tenn.: Singspiration Associates, 1977) no. 333.]
The Continentals are coming! They will be performing on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. They'll be live in concert at Maine Endwell high school auditorium, Farm to Market Rd, Endwell. Those of you who live around here please join us with your family and friends for a great evening of worship and inspiration. They will be also in concert on Sunday, July 8 at 11:00 a.m. at the Union Center United Methodist Church located at 128 Maple Dr. Endicott.
The Russian Men's Ensemble will returning back to NY in November 2007. They are powerful and anointed. They will be performing at the Union Center United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 10 and Sunday November 11, 2007. They are looking for other churches to host them. If you would like to host them at your church please contact us at umcgospel.com.
This devotion is posted on my webpage at brownnaik.com
Janice and Jeremy are celebrating their seventh wedding anniversary today. Micah is growing up to be a young lady. As you know, Janice and Jeremy are expecting their second child to be born within next few days so please keep them in prayer.
Have a wonderful day in Jesus,
Brown
A man in a supermarket was pushing a cart which contained, among other things, a screaming baby. As the man proceeded along the aisles, he kept repeating softly, "Keep calm, George. Don't get excited, George. Don't yell, George."
A lady watched with admiration and then said, "You are certainly to be commended for your patience in trying to quiet little George."
"Lady," he declared, "I'M George!"
Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on Earth! I care not if I never raise my voice again for Him, if only I may love Him, please Him. Mayhap in mercy He shall give me a host of children that I may lead them through the vast star fields to explore His delicacies whose finger ends set them to burning. But if not, if only I may see Him, touch His garments, smile into His eyes -- ah then, not stars nor children shall matter, only Himself.
... Jim Elliot
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