Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Sent: Wed, 14 May 2008 06:14:31 -0500
To: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Subject: Morning Manna May 15-BP: Lk. 8:26-40; RBTTY: Jn. 4:31-54; II Kings 22-23
May 15 “When Others Don’t Rejoice”
“When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled and went and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what was done and came to Jesus and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind—and they were afraid. . .Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes around about besought Him to depart from them—for they were taken with great fear—and He went up into the ship and returned back again.”
Luke 8:34-35, 37
Even if no one else joins us or encourages us, we should do it anyway.
Does anyone need to tell you the “Pilgrim’s Pathway” is sometimes a lonely one? Have there been times when you were bubbling over with Holy Ghost joy, but no one seemed to care—and, in fact, seemed bent on making you miserable?
If so, welcome to “Pilgrim’s Progress 101.”
Legion had been miraculously transformed by Jesus that day. Instead of running around naked in the mountainous tombs. . .and “crying day and night while cutting himself with stones” (Mk. 5:5). . .he now found himself “sitting at the Jesus’ feet, fully-clothed and in his right mind.” Hallelujah!!
Isn’t this a wonderful description of God’s redeeming grace, Pilgrim?
Assuredly it is!
No doubt one of you reading these words could stand right now and say: “Beloved, I was Legion! Before I met Jesus I was a prisoner to my demons of alcoholism. . .drug abuse. . .immorality. . .an uncontrollable temper or tongue, etc. But, one day Jesus passed my way. . .touched me in a way I’d never been touched before. . .and suddenly, miraculously, instantaneously, I was changed. . .irreversibly and eternally changed. . . and set free.” Glory!!
The question, then, is “Why isn’t everyone rejoicing with me?”
It’s because many-a-folk are more interested in “herding pigs” than they are “heralding God’s power.” They’re more into the “bottom line” than they are “changed lives.” In fact, if you really want to find out where a person is spiritually, just start messing with their pocketbook. It’s amazing what a little “squeeze” financially will cause to ooze out of someone—even if they sing in the choir or stand behind the pulpit every Sunday!
Oh, dear Pilgrim, sadly. . .very, very sadly. . .not everyone that darkens the church doors on Sunday is in tune with God’s Voice. They’re more into stocks and bonds. . . the playoffs. . .the latest fashion, hottest software or fastest car, etc. Although they may look angelic while singing the doxology, just let the preacher go past 12:00 noon and you’ll soon find out where their real “treasure” is!
May the Holy Spirit help us to not “grow weary in well-doing” (Gal. 6:9) today when others want to tell Jesus (and us) to take a hike. Don’t get down-in-the-mouth or long to call fire down from Heaven upon them; instead, “Rejoice and leap for joy” (Lk. 6:23a) and keep on telling others what great things the Lord has done for you.
Thanks,
Mr. Lynn M. Smith
Department Business Administrator
Department of Economics
204C McElhinney Hall
(713) 743-3802 (office)
(713) 743-3798 (fax)
LSmith20@central.uh.edu (email)
http://www.class.uh.edu/econ/ (department website)
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