Today's reading is Luke 4:31-37. What does the Holy Spirit want to teach you? Ask Him.
Keep adding your comments to past posts... don't feel the need to skip any. What's great about this format is you can go at your own pace, if needed. But hopefully the more you read, the more you'll be hungry for His word every day!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
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2 comments:
I have no real insight into this passage. But I am so grateful that since the Holy Spirit dwells in me; that no other spirit may.
God allows Satan and his followers to roam the earth and create mischief, but He has the ultimate control over them! Nothing happens that He does not see or allow! Praise God!
I have been contemplating and editing what to comment on as I meditated on this section of scripture. Of course the first thing to my thoughts was the misleading use of the word "possessed" in almost all translations. Greek scholars tell us that the word should be translated "demonized" or in other words, "afflicted" or "oppressed". I do have an "opinion" about whether or not Christians can be demonized, but this is not the time or place for such a discussion.
What I would like to share is something I heard on Matthew 18:21-35 that has revolutionized my thinking...you might say renewed my mind. Ha! I guess this is a passage that doesn't get preached on too often, but this time it was almost visualized what happens to us when we have been the recipient of grace...been forgiven of our HUGE debt....and then turn around and do not extend the same mercy and grace that we received. Before we were forgiven through the gift of Jesus's sacrifice, we were living on a justice level (Old Testament Law). We would have to have lived a perfect life to be acquitted at the Judgement. After we receive forgiveness through the blood of Jesus, we move up to the level of "Mercy and Grace". But the moment we harbor bitter roots of unforgiveness, we move ourselves back down to the justice level and the scripture says that we will be handed over to the tormentors or torturers. Anybody want to guess who they are.
I personally do not think this is talking about loosing our salvation, but it is talking about how we live life right here and now. The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy and we have the secret to closing the door on the destruction in our lives through the grace and mercy of forgiveness. I know from experience that this is easier said than done, but then again, we don't have to do it in our own strength. Praise God!
It is hard to put a whole sermon into a few sentences and I know I haven't done it justice, but I have copied this message from God TV. So, if anyone is interested in a copy, I would be more than happy to send one along. Just ask...cjbartlow@roostervision.com
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