Sunday, June 20, 2010

DECLARE HOW MUCH GOD HAS DONE!


HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL OF THE DADDIES READING GOOD NEWS TODAY! I AM HOLDING EACH OF YOU IN MY SPECIAL PRAYERS...


SCRIPTURE

Time after Pentecost - Lectionary 12
Luke 8:26-39 (NRSV)

Jesus casts out demons

Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me" - for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.

Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.


DEVOTION

On this Father's Day, I am struck by the words, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you."

On this day many father's are taking stock of their life's journey. Many are thinking about what they have done right and what they have done wrong. Many are wondering what more they can do to love their children well.

Today we find the answer to all of these ruminations, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you."

When we share our good news testimonies, it enriches the lives of our children. When we are honest with our loved ones about the things God has delivered us from, we allow those whom we love to grow in their own faith. When we share with others what we learned whilst "sitting at the feet" of Jesus, we bless and encourage their lives.

The man delivered from the legion of demons, wanted to spend his whole life following Jesus around. Instead, Jesus sent him back home with his testimony, where he could do the most good!

I love Luke's words, "
So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him."

Today I wonder if there are any men willing to be "city-takers" for God? I wonder if there are any fathers who are willing to share the good news with their children? I wonder if there are any grandfathers, uncles, brothers, or friends who are willing to reach out to another brother in need and declare what God has done for you?

I believe--by faith--that since you are reading this blog, you are prepared to read, share, and BE good news!

Go in faith and tell your story! Declare to anyone who will listen that "Christ has died! Christ has risen! Christ shall come again!"

Happy Father's Day! Thanks for sharing the good news with others today...


Let us pray: Dear God, thank you for loving us so much and for being such a wonderful parent. Thank you that you are willing to teach all fathers to be like Jesus day by day. Please help us to put all of our faith in you trusting that you died on the cross and rose on the third day to make atonement for sin and gift us with eternal life. Please help us to share the good news with others. We pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.


INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta


SPECIAL NOTE: Happy Father's Day to my daddy Howard Denson and my husband Christopher Lehman. I love you both so very much! :-)

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