# 375- Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:16,17 “And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.“
There was a time when Peter asked Jesus to depart from him. Remember?
Lu 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;
Peter had been fishing all night and had caught nothing. Jesus told him where to fish and he hit the mother lode. Big financial gain for Peter, but here, the owners of the swine suffered a huge financial loss. Both saw the effects of the supernatural powers of Jesus. Both asked Jesus to leave.
But there was a huge difference in the motivation for asking Him to leave. Peter asked Jesus to leave because he realized what a sinner he was. He realized that he was not worthy of God's goodness and mercy. “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The owners of the swine were only motivated by their earthly kingdom, their bottom line. “Leave Jesus! You are encroaching on our livelihood! We liked it the way it was before You arrived on the scene.”
This is the cry of the backslider. They have witnessed the power, the goodness, the deliverance of Jesus, but they choose to go back to the way things were. Peter chose to run his prideful flesh out of town on a rail, these people chose to ride Jesus out of town on a rail. What will you choose to do?
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Safe and At Peace
# 374 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:14,15 “So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
The hired hands who slopped the hogs beat feet. The death of two thousand swine was not going to sit well with their bosses. They told everyone along the way of what had happened and upon hearing the news, the owners and curious onlookers arrived at the scene. They were greeted with the sight of their financial investment belly up in the sea.
“Who did this?”
“That Guy named Jesus over there! And look who's sitting by Him! It's the crazy strong ever ranting naked guy! And he's hardly recognizable! Why, his hair is combed, he's dressed, and he's in his right mind!”
The Greek word for right mind comes from a root word meaning a safe mind. No longer interested in injuring himself or others, he is safe and at peace. Do you want that kind of serenity in your life? Then come to Jesus and ask Him for it.
This Jesus is one powerful person! This is One Almighty God! He is able! The people sensed it, and observe how they reacted..... they were afraid. But then, this is only fitting for those who sense His holiness.
So come to Jesus, humbly, with a sense of fear and awe. For only He is able to give you that elusive peace you've been searching for.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” (Prov 1:7)
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
The hired hands who slopped the hogs beat feet. The death of two thousand swine was not going to sit well with their bosses. They told everyone along the way of what had happened and upon hearing the news, the owners and curious onlookers arrived at the scene. They were greeted with the sight of their financial investment belly up in the sea.
“Who did this?”
“That Guy named Jesus over there! And look who's sitting by Him! It's the crazy strong ever ranting naked guy! And he's hardly recognizable! Why, his hair is combed, he's dressed, and he's in his right mind!”
The Greek word for right mind comes from a root word meaning a safe mind. No longer interested in injuring himself or others, he is safe and at peace. Do you want that kind of serenity in your life? Then come to Jesus and ask Him for it.
This Jesus is one powerful person! This is One Almighty God! He is able! The people sensed it, and observe how they reacted..... they were afraid. But then, this is only fitting for those who sense His holiness.
So come to Jesus, humbly, with a sense of fear and awe. For only He is able to give you that elusive peace you've been searching for.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” (Prov 1:7)
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Tree Of the Knowledge Of Good and Evil
# 373 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:13b. ”and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.”
I want to talk a little bit more today about the devil's calling card of violence. The Greek word used here for “violently,” means, “to injure, to sin, to do evil.” This is what the devil is all about. Jesus called him a “murderer from the beginning.” (Jn 8:44) Whenever Jesus uses the phrase “from the beginning,” we need to go back to the Garden of Eden.
What was the name of the forbidden tree in the garden? It was “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” As long as Adam and Eve didn't eat of the fruit of this tree, they were completely unaffected by injury or death. But they ate of the fruit and sin, death and injury, (violence) entered the world.
Until that time all they knew was the goodness of God. Now they would have a first hand knowledge of the difference between good and evil. Soon this knowledge would become a tragic reality in their own lives as they would experience the violent death of their son Abel!
Know this, without God's restraints on the devil, our world would self-destruct in devil-wrought violence.
As a child of Adam you are born with this knowledge of good and evil. You cannot deny that evil exists and you cannot deny that Someone is restraining it. Perhaps this is why God allows violence in our world. Perhaps He wants you and I to see that he is our only hope for good.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
I want to talk a little bit more today about the devil's calling card of violence. The Greek word used here for “violently,” means, “to injure, to sin, to do evil.” This is what the devil is all about. Jesus called him a “murderer from the beginning.” (Jn 8:44) Whenever Jesus uses the phrase “from the beginning,” we need to go back to the Garden of Eden.
What was the name of the forbidden tree in the garden? It was “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” As long as Adam and Eve didn't eat of the fruit of this tree, they were completely unaffected by injury or death. But they ate of the fruit and sin, death and injury, (violence) entered the world.
Until that time all they knew was the goodness of God. Now they would have a first hand knowledge of the difference between good and evil. Soon this knowledge would become a tragic reality in their own lives as they would experience the violent death of their son Abel!
Know this, without God's restraints on the devil, our world would self-destruct in devil-wrought violence.
As a child of Adam you are born with this knowledge of good and evil. You cannot deny that evil exists and you cannot deny that Someone is restraining it. Perhaps this is why God allows violence in our world. Perhaps He wants you and I to see that he is our only hope for good.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Monday, March 28, 2011
Why Does God Allow Violence
# 372- Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:13. ”And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.”
Two thousand pigs belly up in the sea. Just moments ago they had been peacefully foraging on a hillside. Just moments ago six thousand demons had occupied one man. The man, now completely at peace, the pigs now completely dead. It all happened so fast!
One thing we can learn from this episode, the devil is into violence. (The word violently, here in the Greek, speaks of a desire to cause injury.) First of all, we had the demoniac, who often injured himself by cutting himself with stones and now the pigs with their irresistible plunge to death.
Jesus had the devil pegged right when He says that the devil was a “murderer from the beginning.” (Jn 8:44) If the devil had his way, he would kill or harm every single God created creature. Let that truth sink in for a while as you contemplate the degree of God's merciful protection. None of us deserve it, but He provides it on a daily moment by moment basis.
So why does God allow any violence and mayhem at all?
I don't know. I just know that everything eventually works out for His glory. (Rom 8:28) I'd rather think of it this way: What if the devil didn't need permission to cause injury? How bad would our world be then? Think about the ramifications for such a world. Then be thankful, that there is a God who is able to restrain and seek to worship Him.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Two thousand pigs belly up in the sea. Just moments ago they had been peacefully foraging on a hillside. Just moments ago six thousand demons had occupied one man. The man, now completely at peace, the pigs now completely dead. It all happened so fast!
One thing we can learn from this episode, the devil is into violence. (The word violently, here in the Greek, speaks of a desire to cause injury.) First of all, we had the demoniac, who often injured himself by cutting himself with stones and now the pigs with their irresistible plunge to death.
Jesus had the devil pegged right when He says that the devil was a “murderer from the beginning.” (Jn 8:44) If the devil had his way, he would kill or harm every single God created creature. Let that truth sink in for a while as you contemplate the degree of God's merciful protection. None of us deserve it, but He provides it on a daily moment by moment basis.
So why does God allow any violence and mayhem at all?
I don't know. I just know that everything eventually works out for His glory. (Rom 8:28) I'd rather think of it this way: What if the devil didn't need permission to cause injury? How bad would our world be then? Think about the ramifications for such a world. Then be thankful, that there is a God who is able to restrain and seek to worship Him.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Beware Of Living On the Fringe
Taking A Few Days Off. Lord willing, I'll be back on Monday
# 371- Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:11-13a Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them." And at once Jesus gave them permission. (Mr 5:11-13a)
There is no other incident mentioned in Scripture where a cast out demon was granted permission by Jesus to enter another creature. What's going on here? What can we learn from this incident? Let's look at some clues.
A large herd of swine tells us that this was a money making enterprise. Someone in this outlying area of Gadarene was turning a profit selling pork. Pork was regarded as an unclean meat and Jews were not allowed to eat it. But this area was on the fringe of Jewish territory, and pork chops and ham are quite tasty you know. What's a little compromise? What's wrong with a little dabbling with the unholy. Who will really notice?
God notices. And this allowance granted to the demons which resulted in the destruction of the pigs was a judgment against these unholy compromisers. Here's the lesson. When we dabble in the unholy, we invite the judgment of God. Beware of living in the fringe of your faith, beware of compromise, beware of that, “what harm can there be” attitude that so often begins the slippery slope of unholy living.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
# 371- Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:11-13a Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them." And at once Jesus gave them permission. (Mr 5:11-13a)
There is no other incident mentioned in Scripture where a cast out demon was granted permission by Jesus to enter another creature. What's going on here? What can we learn from this incident? Let's look at some clues.
A large herd of swine tells us that this was a money making enterprise. Someone in this outlying area of Gadarene was turning a profit selling pork. Pork was regarded as an unclean meat and Jews were not allowed to eat it. But this area was on the fringe of Jewish territory, and pork chops and ham are quite tasty you know. What's a little compromise? What's wrong with a little dabbling with the unholy. Who will really notice?
God notices. And this allowance granted to the demons which resulted in the destruction of the pigs was a judgment against these unholy compromisers. Here's the lesson. When we dabble in the unholy, we invite the judgment of God. Beware of living in the fringe of your faith, beware of compromise, beware of that, “what harm can there be” attitude that so often begins the slippery slope of unholy living.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Like the Game of Risk
# 370- Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:10 “Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.
There is so much that we don't understand about the spiritual world and spiritual warfare. The fact that these demons asked Jesus to keep them in the same geographical location should tell us something about the realities of “spiritual turf” wars. It's sort of like the game of Risk.
Risk is a board game where an individual seeks to conquer the world. Armies amass on borders, and armies are reinforced for the battles. We get glimpses of these battles in Scripture, like the time Elisha's servant was allowed to see the spiritual forces of God amass against the Syrian army.
2Ki 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Or the time that the angel was delayed in visiting Daniel because of his battle with the head demon of Persia.
Da 10:13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
Da 10:20 Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.
In addition, the Bible speaks of our “wrestling with “principalities,” which again speaks of the geographical jurisdictions of demons. Why doesn't our all powerful God just end it?
Well, He will do exactly that, but I suspect it has something to do with the combination of His mercy, our free will, and His desire that all should come to repentance.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Friend, God has already won this game and the end could come at anytime. Don't “risk” your eternal destiny, come to repentance and salvation through faith in the victorious Christ today!
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
There is so much that we don't understand about the spiritual world and spiritual warfare. The fact that these demons asked Jesus to keep them in the same geographical location should tell us something about the realities of “spiritual turf” wars. It's sort of like the game of Risk.
Risk is a board game where an individual seeks to conquer the world. Armies amass on borders, and armies are reinforced for the battles. We get glimpses of these battles in Scripture, like the time Elisha's servant was allowed to see the spiritual forces of God amass against the Syrian army.
2Ki 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Or the time that the angel was delayed in visiting Daniel because of his battle with the head demon of Persia.
Da 10:13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
Da 10:20 Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.
In addition, the Bible speaks of our “wrestling with “principalities,” which again speaks of the geographical jurisdictions of demons. Why doesn't our all powerful God just end it?
Well, He will do exactly that, but I suspect it has something to do with the combination of His mercy, our free will, and His desire that all should come to repentance.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Friend, God has already won this game and the end could come at anytime. Don't “risk” your eternal destiny, come to repentance and salvation through faith in the victorious Christ today!
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
God Is In Charge of Government
# 369 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:10-13 “Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.
Isn't it interesting that a spirit being is concerned about the physical geography of our world? Who cares about border guards and crossings when you are a spirit? Why would a spirit being beg Jesus to allow him to stay in a certain geographical location?
I don't know the answer to that question. Maybe the pickings were easier in the land of the Gadarenes. One thing I do know and that is that geography matters. I also know that every national border line has been established by God.
The Bible tells us that God holds the king's heart in His hands. He turns it any way He chooses. He is the “King of the nations” (Jer 10:7) If new nations come into existence or existing boundaries are changed it is God's doing not ours. He is in charge of government. He is in charge of principalities.
The spirit beings know this fact and so they come to the One who is in charge of boundaries with their request. Should we not do the same? Should we not come to God in prayer for all things related to the governing of our country?
When will we learn that God is in charge of government? When will we learn and yield to the truth of Rom 13:1, “For there is no authority except from God and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
Nehemiah knew this truth. He knew that when he was talking to the king, he was talking to God's appointed representative. Listen to his conversation with King Artaxerxes as he sought favor from the king: “Then the king said to me, "What do you request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king,”
Nehemiah didn't excuse himself and bow his head and have a quiet moment of prayer with God. No! His prayer to God was immediate as he spoke to the king. He knew it was one and the same thing because he was talking to God's chosen representative.
Oh, the trash talking even among Christians, of our God-appointed government leaders. Learn from Nehemiah! It will forever change the way you look at government and restore a sense of civility in our land, as we all learn anew to address our representatives as “The honorable” so and so, instead of just that “so and so.”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Isn't it interesting that a spirit being is concerned about the physical geography of our world? Who cares about border guards and crossings when you are a spirit? Why would a spirit being beg Jesus to allow him to stay in a certain geographical location?
I don't know the answer to that question. Maybe the pickings were easier in the land of the Gadarenes. One thing I do know and that is that geography matters. I also know that every national border line has been established by God.
The Bible tells us that God holds the king's heart in His hands. He turns it any way He chooses. He is the “King of the nations” (Jer 10:7) If new nations come into existence or existing boundaries are changed it is God's doing not ours. He is in charge of government. He is in charge of principalities.
The spirit beings know this fact and so they come to the One who is in charge of boundaries with their request. Should we not do the same? Should we not come to God in prayer for all things related to the governing of our country?
When will we learn that God is in charge of government? When will we learn and yield to the truth of Rom 13:1, “For there is no authority except from God and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
Nehemiah knew this truth. He knew that when he was talking to the king, he was talking to God's appointed representative. Listen to his conversation with King Artaxerxes as he sought favor from the king: “Then the king said to me, "What do you request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king,”
Nehemiah didn't excuse himself and bow his head and have a quiet moment of prayer with God. No! His prayer to God was immediate as he spoke to the king. He knew it was one and the same thing because he was talking to God's chosen representative.
Oh, the trash talking even among Christians, of our God-appointed government leaders. Learn from Nehemiah! It will forever change the way you look at government and restore a sense of civility in our land, as we all learn anew to address our representatives as “The honorable” so and so, instead of just that “so and so.”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Monday, March 21, 2011
Legion Tries To Cut A Deal
# 368 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:10-13 “Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.
Legion tries to cut another deal with Jesus. The thought of such an attempt is laughable. Usually, when one tries to cut a deal with someone they have something to bargain with. The devil and his demons have no such thing. Jesus is God. He is superior to them in every way, and they must instantaneously obey Him.
Sometimes when we read of these encounters between God and the devil, (as in the case of Job for instance,) we get a sense that the devil is manipulating God, but hold on. Read the rest of the story. Stick around for the ending. How did the Book of Job end? Who's purposes were served in the end?
Even in this encounter, we shall see that God's purposes are served. But learn from this encounter. It is in the devil's nature to try and cut a deal. He'll do the same with you and I. He's always looking for an angle, always looking for a way to cause us to compromise our faith.
Before you give in to such temptation, remember what Jesus had to say about the devil. “there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (Jn 8:44) Would you cut a large financial deal with a businessman who was a known liar? If we are that careful with our finances, should we not be even more careful with our soul?
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Legion tries to cut another deal with Jesus. The thought of such an attempt is laughable. Usually, when one tries to cut a deal with someone they have something to bargain with. The devil and his demons have no such thing. Jesus is God. He is superior to them in every way, and they must instantaneously obey Him.
Sometimes when we read of these encounters between God and the devil, (as in the case of Job for instance,) we get a sense that the devil is manipulating God, but hold on. Read the rest of the story. Stick around for the ending. How did the Book of Job end? Who's purposes were served in the end?
Even in this encounter, we shall see that God's purposes are served. But learn from this encounter. It is in the devil's nature to try and cut a deal. He'll do the same with you and I. He's always looking for an angle, always looking for a way to cause us to compromise our faith.
Before you give in to such temptation, remember what Jesus had to say about the devil. “there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (Jn 8:44) Would you cut a large financial deal with a businessman who was a known liar? If we are that careful with our finances, should we not be even more careful with our soul?
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Multiple Possession
# 367 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:9 “Then He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many."
Jesus knew the name of the demon, but in asking the question He wants His disciples to know who and what He is dealing with here. This man from Gadarene was possessed by a horde of demons! He was called Legion because as he said, “we are many.” That's an understatement!
A legion of soldiers is around 6,000 men. This “multiple” possession is not some kind of rare occurrence in Scripture. We read of Mary Magdalene being delivered from seven devils, (Mr 16:9) and Jesus spoke of a devil's returning with seven others in order to re-possess a man who has not put on Christ. (Mt 12:45)
This is the kind of thing His disciples and future missionaries would be up against as they took the message of the Gospel into a world of people who had not yet had the opportunity to put on Christ through baptism.
They needed to know that the devil and his demons are well organized and powerful. Remember? Even shackles couldn't bind this man possessed by Legion! But again, His disciples also needed to see that Jesus was even more powerful than a legion of demons. They needed to see that the devil and all his demons are no match for Jesus, the Son of the Most High God!
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Jesus knew the name of the demon, but in asking the question He wants His disciples to know who and what He is dealing with here. This man from Gadarene was possessed by a horde of demons! He was called Legion because as he said, “we are many.” That's an understatement!
A legion of soldiers is around 6,000 men. This “multiple” possession is not some kind of rare occurrence in Scripture. We read of Mary Magdalene being delivered from seven devils, (Mr 16:9) and Jesus spoke of a devil's returning with seven others in order to re-possess a man who has not put on Christ. (Mt 12:45)
This is the kind of thing His disciples and future missionaries would be up against as they took the message of the Gospel into a world of people who had not yet had the opportunity to put on Christ through baptism.
They needed to know that the devil and his demons are well organized and powerful. Remember? Even shackles couldn't bind this man possessed by Legion! But again, His disciples also needed to see that Jesus was even more powerful than a legion of demons. They needed to see that the devil and all his demons are no match for Jesus, the Son of the Most High God!
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Instantaneous Communication
# 366 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:7b,8 “I implore You by God that You do not torment me." For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"
Conversations in the spirit world are much different than conversations in the physical world. They aren't necessarily spoken in timed sequence. You know, in our world, I speak to you, you process what I have said and speak a reply. Here the conversation is simultaneous. This explains the way the conversation is recorded by Mark.
We would like the conversation to start with Jesus saying, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” And the spirit replying “I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” That flows better for our understanding that is limited to time.
But if that's the way the conversation unfolds, we have a problem. We have a demon who apparently is able to resist Jesus, the Son of the Most High God and that's impossible.
This is instantaneous communication, clearly understood by both parties.
Jesus demands that the demon depart from the man and the demon asks that in coming out he not be sent to hell before his time. He did not resist the command of Jesus, he just brought up another issue.
It's interesting too, that the demon asks that Jesus swear to God not to send him to hell. In asking, he is confirming the deity of Christ, for only God can make such a promise.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Conversations in the spirit world are much different than conversations in the physical world. They aren't necessarily spoken in timed sequence. You know, in our world, I speak to you, you process what I have said and speak a reply. Here the conversation is simultaneous. This explains the way the conversation is recorded by Mark.
We would like the conversation to start with Jesus saying, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” And the spirit replying “I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” That flows better for our understanding that is limited to time.
But if that's the way the conversation unfolds, we have a problem. We have a demon who apparently is able to resist Jesus, the Son of the Most High God and that's impossible.
This is instantaneous communication, clearly understood by both parties.
Jesus demands that the demon depart from the man and the demon asks that in coming out he not be sent to hell before his time. He did not resist the command of Jesus, he just brought up another issue.
It's interesting too, that the demon asks that Jesus swear to God not to send him to hell. In asking, he is confirming the deity of Christ, for only God can make such a promise.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Demons Tremble, Shouldn't We?
# 365 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:6,7 “When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me."
These confrontations that Jesus had with demons are very bizarre. The demon was compelled by the fact that Jesus is his superior and comes to him like a dog coming to his master, and then “croaks” like a frog in a loud voice , “what do I have to do with You Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”
As we have said before, croaking demons was not Jesus' idea of evangelism (see blog #292 Demons and Frogs 12/14/10) and for this reason He always sought to silence them. Let faith come by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God rather than croaking frogs!
The demons question is interesting as well. “What have I to do with You?” We might rephrase it today to sound like this: “ What are You doing here, this is not yet Your business? Leave me alone!”
Demons know they have an end. A very unpleasant end of eternal torment. As they have tormented, so they will be tormented into eternity. They know a day has been set by God for the execution of their final sentence, and they tremble at the mere thought of this day.
Should we not tremble as well? Demons will not be alone in hell, they will be joined by all others who refused to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. Bow your knee today! Confess your sinfulness and ask Jesus to forgive you and to be your Lord and Savior!
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
These confrontations that Jesus had with demons are very bizarre. The demon was compelled by the fact that Jesus is his superior and comes to him like a dog coming to his master, and then “croaks” like a frog in a loud voice , “what do I have to do with You Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”
As we have said before, croaking demons was not Jesus' idea of evangelism (see blog #292 Demons and Frogs 12/14/10) and for this reason He always sought to silence them. Let faith come by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God rather than croaking frogs!
The demons question is interesting as well. “What have I to do with You?” We might rephrase it today to sound like this: “ What are You doing here, this is not yet Your business? Leave me alone!”
Demons know they have an end. A very unpleasant end of eternal torment. As they have tormented, so they will be tormented into eternity. They know a day has been set by God for the execution of their final sentence, and they tremble at the mere thought of this day.
Should we not tremble as well? Demons will not be alone in hell, they will be joined by all others who refused to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. Bow your knee today! Confess your sinfulness and ask Jesus to forgive you and to be your Lord and Savior!
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Demons Tremble, Shouldn't We?
# 365 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:6,7 “When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me."
These confrontations that Jesus had with demons are very bizarre. The demon was compelled by the fact that Jesus is his superior and comes to him like a dog coming to his master, and then “croaks” like a frog in a loud voice , “what do I have to do with You Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”
As we have said before, croaking demons was not Jesus' idea of evangelism (see blog #292 Demons and Frogs 12/14/10) and for this reason He always sought to silence them. Let faith come by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God rather than croaking frogs!
The demons question is interesting as well. “What have I to do with You?” We might rephrase it today to sound like this: “ What are You doing here, this is not yet Your business? Leave me alone!”
Demons know they have an end. A very unpleasant end of eternal torment. As they have tormented, so they will be tormented into eternity. They know a day has been set by God for the execution of their final sentence, and they tremble at the mere thought of this day.
Should we not tremble as well? Demons will not be alone in hell, they will be joined by all others who refused to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. Bow your knee today! Confess your sinfulness and ask Jesus to forgive you and to be your Lord and Savior!
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
These confrontations that Jesus had with demons are very bizarre. The demon was compelled by the fact that Jesus is his superior and comes to him like a dog coming to his master, and then “croaks” like a frog in a loud voice , “what do I have to do with You Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”
As we have said before, croaking demons was not Jesus' idea of evangelism (see blog #292 Demons and Frogs 12/14/10) and for this reason He always sought to silence them. Let faith come by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God rather than croaking frogs!
The demons question is interesting as well. “What have I to do with You?” We might rephrase it today to sound like this: “ What are You doing here, this is not yet Your business? Leave me alone!”
Demons know they have an end. A very unpleasant end of eternal torment. As they have tormented, so they will be tormented into eternity. They know a day has been set by God for the execution of their final sentence, and they tremble at the mere thought of this day.
Should we not tremble as well? Demons will not be alone in hell, they will be joined by all others who refused to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. Bow your knee today! Confess your sinfulness and ask Jesus to forgive you and to be your Lord and Savior!
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Like A Dog Licking His Master's Hand
# 364- Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:6,7 “When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”
The Greek word used for “worship,” here means to kiss like a dog licking his master's hand. Let that image set in your brain for awhile and understand the absolute power that Jesus the Son of the Most High God has over the devil and his demons, indeed, over all created things!.
This kind of worship though isn't about voluntary adoration that flows toward God because of His great love toward us. This worship is forced. It is homage given grudgingly to a superior. It is the same kind of worship that is mentioned in Phil 2:10, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.”
This is the way it will be on the Last Day. Every knee will bow to Jesus. Those who have refused to bow in the here and now will be delivered to hell, but those who bow out of true admiration, love, and gratitude to Christ in the here and now, will be taken to heaven. The good news is, that as long as there is breath in your body, you still have time to surrender.
Now you may say I will never bow my knee to Him! Really? Why then did not the Gadarene demoniac run the other way when he saw Jesus? Or why didn't he walk up to Jesus and spit in his eye? I'll tell you why, he had no choice. Jesus is Lord! He will be worshiped by all His creation. I suggest you deal with that fact while you still can.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
The Greek word used for “worship,” here means to kiss like a dog licking his master's hand. Let that image set in your brain for awhile and understand the absolute power that Jesus the Son of the Most High God has over the devil and his demons, indeed, over all created things!.
This kind of worship though isn't about voluntary adoration that flows toward God because of His great love toward us. This worship is forced. It is homage given grudgingly to a superior. It is the same kind of worship that is mentioned in Phil 2:10, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.”
This is the way it will be on the Last Day. Every knee will bow to Jesus. Those who have refused to bow in the here and now will be delivered to hell, but those who bow out of true admiration, love, and gratitude to Christ in the here and now, will be taken to heaven. The good news is, that as long as there is breath in your body, you still have time to surrender.
Now you may say I will never bow my knee to Him! Really? Why then did not the Gadarene demoniac run the other way when he saw Jesus? Or why didn't he walk up to Jesus and spit in his eye? I'll tell you why, he had no choice. Jesus is Lord! He will be worshiped by all His creation. I suggest you deal with that fact while you still can.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Compelling Power In the Presence of Jesus
# 363- Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:6,7 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me."
Jesus gets out of the boat and way off in the distance the Gadarene demoniac sees Him. Jesus, the Son of the Most High God voluntarily shrouded in the flesh of man.
What did that look like to these demons that likewise shrouded themselves in the flesh of this poor man? Did His glory shine through His flesh? Did the demons see a great bright light? We aren't told.
Only that they saw Him from afar off and were compelled to cause the container of flesh that they were in to run toward Jesus. How strange! I mean, you'd think they'd high tail it away from Jesus!
But Jesus had some business to do with these demons and you and I should take great heart from this passage. It seems that it was the will, and the power, and the very presence of Jesus that drew the demons to His feet.
Once at His feet, they had no choice but to use the body of flesh that they were occupying to prostrate themselves before the Son of the Most High God! Understand this beloved about the devil and his demons. They are powerful, but the will, and the power, and the presence of Jesus are stronger.
“He that is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 Jn 4:4)
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Jesus gets out of the boat and way off in the distance the Gadarene demoniac sees Him. Jesus, the Son of the Most High God voluntarily shrouded in the flesh of man.
What did that look like to these demons that likewise shrouded themselves in the flesh of this poor man? Did His glory shine through His flesh? Did the demons see a great bright light? We aren't told.
Only that they saw Him from afar off and were compelled to cause the container of flesh that they were in to run toward Jesus. How strange! I mean, you'd think they'd high tail it away from Jesus!
But Jesus had some business to do with these demons and you and I should take great heart from this passage. It seems that it was the will, and the power, and the very presence of Jesus that drew the demons to His feet.
Once at His feet, they had no choice but to use the body of flesh that they were occupying to prostrate themselves before the Son of the Most High God! Understand this beloved about the devil and his demons. They are powerful, but the will, and the power, and the presence of Jesus are stronger.
“He that is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 Jn 4:4)
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Cutting Has Been A Problem For A Long Time
# 362 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:4b,5 neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
And you thought cutting was a new trend in our society. Here we read that it has been around for a long time. Now don't read this and automatically think that those who cut themselves are demon possessed. That is very unlikely.
The one thing that most cutters have in common are they are tormented. Something has happened in their life that is causing them tremendous emotional pain. The infliction of physical pain serves as a distraction to help them to deal with the bouts of emotional pain that they are feeling.
The Gadarene demoniac was being tormented by an indwelling demon, but the modern day cutter is likely tormented by some sort of emotional trauma such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Cutting is on the rise in our world today, and one of the reasons it's on the rise is because physical, sexual, and emotional abuse is on the rise.
To the cutter, I say, tell someone near and dear to you about the source of your emotional pain. The Bible tells us that there is healing in confession to others,
Jas 5:16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
To the loved ones of cutters I say, become familiar with the signs of cutting. To both I say, seek help. Don't sweep it under the rug, get it out in the open, seek help, and invite the great Healer Jesus into the situation.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
And you thought cutting was a new trend in our society. Here we read that it has been around for a long time. Now don't read this and automatically think that those who cut themselves are demon possessed. That is very unlikely.
The one thing that most cutters have in common are they are tormented. Something has happened in their life that is causing them tremendous emotional pain. The infliction of physical pain serves as a distraction to help them to deal with the bouts of emotional pain that they are feeling.
The Gadarene demoniac was being tormented by an indwelling demon, but the modern day cutter is likely tormented by some sort of emotional trauma such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Cutting is on the rise in our world today, and one of the reasons it's on the rise is because physical, sexual, and emotional abuse is on the rise.
To the cutter, I say, tell someone near and dear to you about the source of your emotional pain. The Bible tells us that there is healing in confession to others,
Jas 5:16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
To the loved ones of cutters I say, become familiar with the signs of cutting. To both I say, seek help. Don't sweep it under the rug, get it out in the open, seek help, and invite the great Healer Jesus into the situation.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Monday, March 14, 2011
A Picture of Legalism
# 361 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:2-4 “And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.”
From the other gospel accounts of this event we learn that these demoniacs were naked and were so fierce that they rendered the road that went by their tombs impassable. Okay, show of hands. How many of you would stay clear of this area?
One of the things that amazes me is that we read that this demoniac had OFTEN been bound with shackles and chains. I wonder how many police officers of the day it took to wrestle him to the ground and cuff him, only to have him snap the shackles off. How many new and improved types of shackles did they use in their futile attempts to restrain him?
This is a great picture of legalism. Legalism springs from a desire to keep the letter of God's commandments by instituting man-made rules and regulations. The Pharisees tried to do this with silly laws about washing, and silly laws about Sabbath keeping.
They sought to use these man-made laws as a security fence around the real Law of God. The reasoning was simple, if these silly laws were followed, then there would be no way that the real Law of God could be transgressed.
Sounds like a great plan! However, it never works!
You may try to control your sin by following the letter of the Law in your own strength, or by setting up a system of man made religious rules in an attempt to to be holy, but sin will eventually break out.
And it usually breaks out with the vengeance of these Gadarene demoniacs. The only hope for victory and peace for the sin ravaged soul is the healing touch of Jesus.
He set the Gadarene demoniacs free, He will set you free as well. Stop striving to obey in your own strength, surrender your life to Jesus and live in His strength.
Joh 8:36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
From the other gospel accounts of this event we learn that these demoniacs were naked and were so fierce that they rendered the road that went by their tombs impassable. Okay, show of hands. How many of you would stay clear of this area?
One of the things that amazes me is that we read that this demoniac had OFTEN been bound with shackles and chains. I wonder how many police officers of the day it took to wrestle him to the ground and cuff him, only to have him snap the shackles off. How many new and improved types of shackles did they use in their futile attempts to restrain him?
This is a great picture of legalism. Legalism springs from a desire to keep the letter of God's commandments by instituting man-made rules and regulations. The Pharisees tried to do this with silly laws about washing, and silly laws about Sabbath keeping.
They sought to use these man-made laws as a security fence around the real Law of God. The reasoning was simple, if these silly laws were followed, then there would be no way that the real Law of God could be transgressed.
Sounds like a great plan! However, it never works!
You may try to control your sin by following the letter of the Law in your own strength, or by setting up a system of man made religious rules in an attempt to to be holy, but sin will eventually break out.
And it usually breaks out with the vengeance of these Gadarene demoniacs. The only hope for victory and peace for the sin ravaged soul is the healing touch of Jesus.
He set the Gadarene demoniacs free, He will set you free as well. Stop striving to obey in your own strength, surrender your life to Jesus and live in His strength.
Joh 8:36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Sunday, March 13, 2011
All means All
# 360 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:1,2 “Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,”
The account of our Lord's encounter with the Gadarene demoniac is also found in the Book of Matthew and Luke. Three different geographical locations are given in these accounts. One says “Gadarenes, another Gerasenes, and another Gergesenes.
Furthermore, the Gospel of Matthew says there were two demoniacs! Why the discrepancies? Does this cast doubt on the veracity of Scripture? Some would have you believe so.
But the variances concerning the geographical names simply mean that the place where the boat landed was in the general vicinity of these places. It's much like our tax forms that list, city, township, and state. The city being the most specific of the three.
There were two demoniacs, this is undeniable, but Mark and Luke only mention the one, but please note that they never say there weren't two. They simply mention one because he is the main character.
Never forget that Scripture is not contradictory. It is all God-breathed. 2Ti 3:16 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,”
This belief in the inerrancy of Scripture is the starting point for proper study of the Scriptures, and it is a safeguard against cafeteria style Christianity. (The type of Christianity where one picks and chooses what he wishes to believe.)
All means all.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
The account of our Lord's encounter with the Gadarene demoniac is also found in the Book of Matthew and Luke. Three different geographical locations are given in these accounts. One says “Gadarenes, another Gerasenes, and another Gergesenes.
Furthermore, the Gospel of Matthew says there were two demoniacs! Why the discrepancies? Does this cast doubt on the veracity of Scripture? Some would have you believe so.
But the variances concerning the geographical names simply mean that the place where the boat landed was in the general vicinity of these places. It's much like our tax forms that list, city, township, and state. The city being the most specific of the three.
There were two demoniacs, this is undeniable, but Mark and Luke only mention the one, but please note that they never say there weren't two. They simply mention one because he is the main character.
Never forget that Scripture is not contradictory. It is all God-breathed. 2Ti 3:16 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,”
This belief in the inerrancy of Scripture is the starting point for proper study of the Scriptures, and it is a safeguard against cafeteria style Christianity. (The type of Christianity where one picks and chooses what he wishes to believe.)
All means all.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Mega Phobia
# 359 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"
Without getting too deep into the Greek here, the idea of exceeding fear could be called “mega phobia.” Do you have any “phobias?” I don't like to admit it, but I have “claustrophobia.” There are times when I find myself in tight places that I get very fearful. ( I can't handle MRI's, and I'm not too thrilled about flying!)
If I were to add the idea of “mega” to my phobia, I would become “exceedingly fearful,” at these times, and I would literally become undone. The thought of such a meltdown scares me, but this is what happened to the disciples. They had a meltdown.
They were experiencing something similar to what Isaiah experienced when he was ushered into the presence of the pure and holy God. Remember his words? “Woe is me I am undone!” (Is 6:5) (He was having a meltdown)
One of the fascinating aspects of this account is that the disciples were MORE fearful AFTER the seas were calm! They were fearful during the storm but now are described as “exceedingly fearful!” Why?
Because like Isaiah, who became “undone” when he was in the presence of God, these disciples became undone when they realized who was truly in the boat with them! In terrified awe they ask, “Who can this be that the elements of nature are obedient to Him?
This is not just some great teacher. This is not just someone who serves as a great moral example. This is not some prophet. This is not just some gifted buddy. This is God! This is Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God!
And if the elements of nature are obedient to Him, then we ought to seek to be obedient as well. He is not just the Savior of the world, He is the Lord! And one day, when He returns, every knee will bow to that truth.
Isa 45:22 "Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.
Look to Jesus now, today and be saved! Don't delay for you don't know when your days on earth are through. Confess Him now as your Savior and LORD. Those who make that confession while they live in the here and now will live on in eternal bliss, the ones who refuse to bow their knees will live on in eternal torment in hell..
Bow your knee today!
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Without getting too deep into the Greek here, the idea of exceeding fear could be called “mega phobia.” Do you have any “phobias?” I don't like to admit it, but I have “claustrophobia.” There are times when I find myself in tight places that I get very fearful. ( I can't handle MRI's, and I'm not too thrilled about flying!)
If I were to add the idea of “mega” to my phobia, I would become “exceedingly fearful,” at these times, and I would literally become undone. The thought of such a meltdown scares me, but this is what happened to the disciples. They had a meltdown.
They were experiencing something similar to what Isaiah experienced when he was ushered into the presence of the pure and holy God. Remember his words? “Woe is me I am undone!” (Is 6:5) (He was having a meltdown)
One of the fascinating aspects of this account is that the disciples were MORE fearful AFTER the seas were calm! They were fearful during the storm but now are described as “exceedingly fearful!” Why?
Because like Isaiah, who became “undone” when he was in the presence of God, these disciples became undone when they realized who was truly in the boat with them! In terrified awe they ask, “Who can this be that the elements of nature are obedient to Him?
This is not just some great teacher. This is not just someone who serves as a great moral example. This is not some prophet. This is not just some gifted buddy. This is God! This is Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God!
And if the elements of nature are obedient to Him, then we ought to seek to be obedient as well. He is not just the Savior of the world, He is the Lord! And one day, when He returns, every knee will bow to that truth.
Isa 45:22 "Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.
Look to Jesus now, today and be saved! Don't delay for you don't know when your days on earth are through. Confess Him now as your Savior and LORD. Those who make that confession while they live in the here and now will live on in eternal bliss, the ones who refuse to bow their knees will live on in eternal torment in hell..
Bow your knee today!
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Sounds Like Something Yoda Might Say
# 358 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 4:40, But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"
The Lutheran commentator Lenski, (an expert in the Greek language) renders this passage as follows: “And He said to them, how frightened you are! Have you not yet faith?”
I love the awkward sound of that last statement. It sounds like something Yoda might have said to Luke Skywalker in Star Wars. But it's not, it's something Jesus said to His disciples after observing how frightened they were of the raging sea.
The disciples, who were expert seamen had come to an end of their own skills in dealing with the storm. This is the way it often is for us as well. When we come to an end to our own abilities in harrrowing situations, there is nothing left but fear.
So Jesus asks a very pointed question, “Have you not yet faith?” I wonder if He meant, “Have you not TRIED faith?” Have you not yet learned to allow faith to kick in for these types of situations? Is that not what a “not yet” faith would be?
These men all had faith in Jesus, but they had not yet learned to rely on it in all of life's circumstances. Truth be known, we all have some “not yet” faith in us, but the Lord is so loving and merciful that He keeps putting us in places where that faith can be tested, stretched, and grown. Are you in such a place today? Have you tired faith? Have you tried trusting Jesus?
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
The Lutheran commentator Lenski, (an expert in the Greek language) renders this passage as follows: “And He said to them, how frightened you are! Have you not yet faith?”
I love the awkward sound of that last statement. It sounds like something Yoda might have said to Luke Skywalker in Star Wars. But it's not, it's something Jesus said to His disciples after observing how frightened they were of the raging sea.
The disciples, who were expert seamen had come to an end of their own skills in dealing with the storm. This is the way it often is for us as well. When we come to an end to our own abilities in harrrowing situations, there is nothing left but fear.
So Jesus asks a very pointed question, “Have you not yet faith?” I wonder if He meant, “Have you not TRIED faith?” Have you not yet learned to allow faith to kick in for these types of situations? Is that not what a “not yet” faith would be?
These men all had faith in Jesus, but they had not yet learned to rely on it in all of life's circumstances. Truth be known, we all have some “not yet” faith in us, but the Lord is so loving and merciful that He keeps putting us in places where that faith can be tested, stretched, and grown. Are you in such a place today? Have you tired faith? Have you tried trusting Jesus?
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Thursday, March 10, 2011
How Frightened You Are
# 357 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 4:40, But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"
The Lutheran commentator Lenski, an expert in the Greek language renders this passage as follows: “And He said to them, how frightened you are! Have you not yet faith?” Do you see the difference?
One is a question, the other is an observation. Let's run with the Lenski version for the purpose of this devotion. Jesus makes an observation.
Just as the disciples could physically observe the calamity around them with the effects of the wind and the raging sea. Jesus could observe the turmoil in the disciple's souls. And so He says, “Wow, you guys are really scared! You guys are lacking peace! You're just like this raging sea!
Then He makes the great connection for His disciples and us! “Have you not yet faith?” It is faith in Jesus that brings peace! What was it that brought peace to the sea? Ultimately, it was the sea submitting to the will of God.
Faith is a matter of trusting Jesus and His words. The psalmist says, “Great peace have those who love Your law,” (Ps 119:165) Ultimately peace comes to those who exercise faith. As the prophet Isaiah said, in Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Trust and obey, Submit to the will of God and receive peace.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
The Lutheran commentator Lenski, an expert in the Greek language renders this passage as follows: “And He said to them, how frightened you are! Have you not yet faith?” Do you see the difference?
One is a question, the other is an observation. Let's run with the Lenski version for the purpose of this devotion. Jesus makes an observation.
Just as the disciples could physically observe the calamity around them with the effects of the wind and the raging sea. Jesus could observe the turmoil in the disciple's souls. And so He says, “Wow, you guys are really scared! You guys are lacking peace! You're just like this raging sea!
Then He makes the great connection for His disciples and us! “Have you not yet faith?” It is faith in Jesus that brings peace! What was it that brought peace to the sea? Ultimately, it was the sea submitting to the will of God.
Faith is a matter of trusting Jesus and His words. The psalmist says, “Great peace have those who love Your law,” (Ps 119:165) Ultimately peace comes to those who exercise faith. As the prophet Isaiah said, in Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Trust and obey, Submit to the will of God and receive peace.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Hush My Troubled Soul
# 356 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 4:39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Having rebuked the cause of the boisterous seas, (the wind) Jesus now turns to the H2O. The effect of the wind on the seas was twofold. It created noise and it created turbulence. His command to the sea can be summed in the Greek like this: Hush! Put a muzzle on it and become still! As soon as HE spoke, there was great calm. Great tranquility, the sea was completely freed from agitation.
Think about this twofold miracle for a moment. Be in awe of what the Lord God did here! All that is required to cause wind to blow, all that gives movement to the sea, completely brought back to ground zero. Absolute stillness, absolute calm, absolute peace.
Kind of what happens in the new birth isn't it? The new birth is a miracle wrought by God in the soul of man that produces peace. A soul that had been agitated, troubled by sin and it's effects is now completely at peace with God.
This peace comes to us through the preaching of the gospel. Peter called it, “preaching the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ, and added “He is Lord of all,” perhaps Peter was recalling this very incident when he penned these words. Jesus is Lord of all, He is able to bring peace to your troubled soul! Ask Him!
Just take the time to pray something like this: “Jesus, Hush my troubled soul. Bring my strivings to an end. Help me to realize that You have done it all. You have paid for my sins on the cross, and You rose from the grave so that I may have new life. It's not what I do, but what You have done for me. Help me from this day forth to live a life in accordance with Your holy Word in thanksgiving for what You have done and continue to do in me. Amen”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Having rebuked the cause of the boisterous seas, (the wind) Jesus now turns to the H2O. The effect of the wind on the seas was twofold. It created noise and it created turbulence. His command to the sea can be summed in the Greek like this: Hush! Put a muzzle on it and become still! As soon as HE spoke, there was great calm. Great tranquility, the sea was completely freed from agitation.
Think about this twofold miracle for a moment. Be in awe of what the Lord God did here! All that is required to cause wind to blow, all that gives movement to the sea, completely brought back to ground zero. Absolute stillness, absolute calm, absolute peace.
Kind of what happens in the new birth isn't it? The new birth is a miracle wrought by God in the soul of man that produces peace. A soul that had been agitated, troubled by sin and it's effects is now completely at peace with God.
This peace comes to us through the preaching of the gospel. Peter called it, “preaching the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ, and added “He is Lord of all,” perhaps Peter was recalling this very incident when he penned these words. Jesus is Lord of all, He is able to bring peace to your troubled soul! Ask Him!
Just take the time to pray something like this: “Jesus, Hush my troubled soul. Bring my strivings to an end. Help me to realize that You have done it all. You have paid for my sins on the cross, and You rose from the grave so that I may have new life. It's not what I do, but what You have done for me. Help me from this day forth to live a life in accordance with Your holy Word in thanksgiving for what You have done and continue to do in me. Amen”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Cause and Effect
# 355 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 4:39, “Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.'
Most of the time when we read of this incident in Scripture, we lump the stilling of the wind and the calming of the sea into one action. But look a little closer. Two separate activities are taking place here. He, (1) rebuked the wind and the wind ceased. He, (2) spoke to the sea and there was great calm.
Jesus was dealing with the “cause,” and “effect” of the disciples current circumstances. Think about this, the next time you're at the lake. The slightest breeze sends ripples across the water, and when the winds pick up intensity, the waves pick up their intensity as well.
Jesus could've stopped with calming the wind, the waves would've eventually followed suit, but He also speaks to the sea itself! He dealt with the effects of the wind!
Much of what rages in our souls and consequently breaks out in our attitudes and behaviors is caused by wrong, choices made by us and others. (It's called sin)
Take heart beloved. Jesus wants to deal with more than the causes of your internal storms. (sins) He wants to heal you of their effects. It is His desire and it is within His power to forgive and heal. The Bible puts it this way, He is able to “restore what the crawling, consuming, chewing locust has taken away.” (Joel 2:25)
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Most of the time when we read of this incident in Scripture, we lump the stilling of the wind and the calming of the sea into one action. But look a little closer. Two separate activities are taking place here. He, (1) rebuked the wind and the wind ceased. He, (2) spoke to the sea and there was great calm.
Jesus was dealing with the “cause,” and “effect” of the disciples current circumstances. Think about this, the next time you're at the lake. The slightest breeze sends ripples across the water, and when the winds pick up intensity, the waves pick up their intensity as well.
Jesus could've stopped with calming the wind, the waves would've eventually followed suit, but He also speaks to the sea itself! He dealt with the effects of the wind!
Much of what rages in our souls and consequently breaks out in our attitudes and behaviors is caused by wrong, choices made by us and others. (It's called sin)
Take heart beloved. Jesus wants to deal with more than the causes of your internal storms. (sins) He wants to heal you of their effects. It is His desire and it is within His power to forgive and heal. The Bible puts it this way, He is able to “restore what the crawling, consuming, chewing locust has taken away.” (Joel 2:25)
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Monday, March 7, 2011
Completely Spent
# 354 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 4:39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”
Most of the time when we read of this incident in Scripture, we lump the stilling of the wind and the calming of the sea into one action. But look a little closer. Two separate activities are taking place here. (1) He rebuked the wind and the wind ceased. (2) He spoke to the sea and there was great calm.
First of all Jesus rebuked the wind. When's the last time you used the word “rebuke,” in a sentence? What does it mean to rebuke? A rebuke can be a strong condemnation, or a gentle warning that forbids something. It also means “to indicate duties or obligations to.”
As its Creator Jesus was indicating to the wind its duty and obligation to obey Him, and He forbade it from blowing. And the wind obeyed immediately and it ceased.
The idea of ceasing here is not just that something stops, but that it relaxes because it is tired. Completely spent. Jesus was telling the wind to “come to an end to itself!”
He invites us to do the same when the storms of life threaten to swamp us. Come to the end of your striving beloved. You are stirring up the waters of your soul unnecessarily. Let go and let God. “Cast your cares upon Him, for he cares for you.” (1 Pet 5:7)
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Most of the time when we read of this incident in Scripture, we lump the stilling of the wind and the calming of the sea into one action. But look a little closer. Two separate activities are taking place here. (1) He rebuked the wind and the wind ceased. (2) He spoke to the sea and there was great calm.
First of all Jesus rebuked the wind. When's the last time you used the word “rebuke,” in a sentence? What does it mean to rebuke? A rebuke can be a strong condemnation, or a gentle warning that forbids something. It also means “to indicate duties or obligations to.”
As its Creator Jesus was indicating to the wind its duty and obligation to obey Him, and He forbade it from blowing. And the wind obeyed immediately and it ceased.
The idea of ceasing here is not just that something stops, but that it relaxes because it is tired. Completely spent. Jesus was telling the wind to “come to an end to itself!”
He invites us to do the same when the storms of life threaten to swamp us. Come to the end of your striving beloved. You are stirring up the waters of your soul unnecessarily. Let go and let God. “Cast your cares upon Him, for he cares for you.” (1 Pet 5:7)
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Terrified?
# 353 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 4:37,38 “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
This was a terrible storm. This wasn't a wave or two crashing over the side of the boat. This water was filling the boat. If the disciples were bailing water....they were losing, big time. If something didn't change in a hurry, they were going down. The boat was not just filling with water, it was filling with terror, and what was Jesus doing during these terror filled moments....sleeping!!!!
Because His trust in the Father's care was so solid, he was able to sleep even in the midst of this terrible storm. How many sleepless nights have you spent because something is terrifying your soul?
In Matthews account of this incident we read that the disciples “went to Him,” (Mt 8:25) May I suggest you do the same? Get up! Roll out of bed and find a place where you can quietly go to Him in prayer!
Stop relying on your own abilities to handle the problem. Come to the Master. He is bigger than any storm that may come your way. Whether it's a boat filling with water, or a mattress filling with tears, come to Jesus, and then wait for His peace in your situation. He will grant it, for His is the “God of peace.” (Rom 15:33)
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
This was a terrible storm. This wasn't a wave or two crashing over the side of the boat. This water was filling the boat. If the disciples were bailing water....they were losing, big time. If something didn't change in a hurry, they were going down. The boat was not just filling with water, it was filling with terror, and what was Jesus doing during these terror filled moments....sleeping!!!!
Because His trust in the Father's care was so solid, he was able to sleep even in the midst of this terrible storm. How many sleepless nights have you spent because something is terrifying your soul?
In Matthews account of this incident we read that the disciples “went to Him,” (Mt 8:25) May I suggest you do the same? Get up! Roll out of bed and find a place where you can quietly go to Him in prayer!
Stop relying on your own abilities to handle the problem. Come to the Master. He is bigger than any storm that may come your way. Whether it's a boat filling with water, or a mattress filling with tears, come to Jesus, and then wait for His peace in your situation. He will grant it, for His is the “God of peace.” (Rom 15:33)
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Jesus Savior Pilot Me
# 352 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 4:35,36. “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.”
Did you catch that? “They took Him along in the boat as He was.” Well of course they took Him along! He's the One who told them to cross over to the other side!
It seems like the disciples were a little condescending toward there very special passenger.
“As He was,” infers that they viewed Jesus as a great teacher and a carpenter, but not one to rely on when navigating the moody waters of the Sea of Galilee at night. So they “took Him along, but THEY would be in charge of getting safely to the other side. They were the expert seamen. We will see their folly in the next couple of verses when the storm hits.
How often, we do the same thing. “I'll handle this Jesus!”
If Jesus is your co-pilot as you go through life. Change seats. Don't just take Jesus along as He is in your life. Turn full control over to Him. No matter how skilled you may think you are in navigating through life, ultimately, tests will come when you will not be able to rely on your own wiles to get you through. Let your theme song always be, “Jesus Savior Pilot Me.”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Did you catch that? “They took Him along in the boat as He was.” Well of course they took Him along! He's the One who told them to cross over to the other side!
It seems like the disciples were a little condescending toward there very special passenger.
“As He was,” infers that they viewed Jesus as a great teacher and a carpenter, but not one to rely on when navigating the moody waters of the Sea of Galilee at night. So they “took Him along, but THEY would be in charge of getting safely to the other side. They were the expert seamen. We will see their folly in the next couple of verses when the storm hits.
How often, we do the same thing. “I'll handle this Jesus!”
If Jesus is your co-pilot as you go through life. Change seats. Don't just take Jesus along as He is in your life. Turn full control over to Him. No matter how skilled you may think you are in navigating through life, ultimately, tests will come when you will not be able to rely on your own wiles to get you through. Let your theme song always be, “Jesus Savior Pilot Me.”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Jesus Savior Pilot Me
# 352 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 4:35,36. “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.”
Did you catch that? “They took Him along in the boat as He was.” Well of course they took Him along! He's the One who told them to cross over to the other side!
It seems like the disciples were a little condescending toward there very special passenger.
“As He was,” infers that they viewed Jesus as a great teacher and a carpenter, but not one to rely on when navigating the moody waters of the Sea of Galilee at night. So they “took Him along, but THEY would be in charge of getting safely to the other side. They were the expert seamen. We will see their folly in the next couple of verses when the storm hits.
How often, we do the same thing. “I'll handle this Jesus!”
If Jesus is your co-pilot as you go through life. Change seats. Don't just take Jesus along as He is in your life. Turn full control over to Him. No matter how skilled you may think you are in navigating through life, ultimately, tests will come when you will not be able to rely on your own wiles to get you through. Let your theme song always be, “Jesus Savior Pilot Me.”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Did you catch that? “They took Him along in the boat as He was.” Well of course they took Him along! He's the One who told them to cross over to the other side!
It seems like the disciples were a little condescending toward there very special passenger.
“As He was,” infers that they viewed Jesus as a great teacher and a carpenter, but not one to rely on when navigating the moody waters of the Sea of Galilee at night. So they “took Him along, but THEY would be in charge of getting safely to the other side. They were the expert seamen. We will see their folly in the next couple of verses when the storm hits.
How often, we do the same thing. “I'll handle this Jesus!”
If Jesus is your co-pilot as you go through life. Change seats. Don't just take Jesus along as He is in your life. Turn full control over to Him. No matter how skilled you may think you are in navigating through life, ultimately, tests will come when you will not be able to rely on your own wiles to get you through. Let your theme song always be, “Jesus Savior Pilot Me.”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Solving Scripture
# 351 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 4:33: “And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.”
Many such parables. Many such illustrations, using the things of this earth, Jesus taught kingdom truths. Here's the things about parables. They are puzzles. They are the kind of puzzles that once you find the key, you can solve them.
We have already told you that one of the keys to unlocking parables is to look for Jesus in them, but still another key is spiritual discernment. This spiritual discernment comes from the Holy Spirit. It comes to those who have been “born-again.”
1 Cor 2:14 says, “The natural person (one who is not born again) does not accept the things of the Spirit of God for they are folly to him.”
So the first step to understanding ANY scripture is to be a believer.
The disciples were blessed in that they were with Jesus, and He made sure He fully explained the parables to them. It's interesting to note that the word used for “explained” here means “solved.” Jesus solved all the parables for His disciples!
Think in terms of a sudoku puzzle or a crossword puzzle. Whereas those who weren't with Jesus had empty spaces in their puzzles, the disciples had theirs completely and correctly filled in.
Are you struggling with missing pieces from your puzzle? Some parts of Scripture that you just don't get? Don't fret. Jesus has the answers, remain in Him. Keep working the puzzle. Stay in His Word and when the time is right, He will teach you what you need to know. And don't worry if your puzzle is unfinished, or you get stuck. Move on to another section of the puzzle! Those missing answers will all be furnished when we are in glory.
The Apostle Paul freely admitted that he didn't know it all. Listen to what he said in 1 Cor 13:12b: “For the present the knowledge I gain is imperfect; but then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (WNT)
Something to look forward to!
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Many such parables. Many such illustrations, using the things of this earth, Jesus taught kingdom truths. Here's the things about parables. They are puzzles. They are the kind of puzzles that once you find the key, you can solve them.
We have already told you that one of the keys to unlocking parables is to look for Jesus in them, but still another key is spiritual discernment. This spiritual discernment comes from the Holy Spirit. It comes to those who have been “born-again.”
1 Cor 2:14 says, “The natural person (one who is not born again) does not accept the things of the Spirit of God for they are folly to him.”
So the first step to understanding ANY scripture is to be a believer.
The disciples were blessed in that they were with Jesus, and He made sure He fully explained the parables to them. It's interesting to note that the word used for “explained” here means “solved.” Jesus solved all the parables for His disciples!
Think in terms of a sudoku puzzle or a crossword puzzle. Whereas those who weren't with Jesus had empty spaces in their puzzles, the disciples had theirs completely and correctly filled in.
Are you struggling with missing pieces from your puzzle? Some parts of Scripture that you just don't get? Don't fret. Jesus has the answers, remain in Him. Keep working the puzzle. Stay in His Word and when the time is right, He will teach you what you need to know. And don't worry if your puzzle is unfinished, or you get stuck. Move on to another section of the puzzle! Those missing answers will all be furnished when we are in glory.
The Apostle Paul freely admitted that he didn't know it all. Listen to what he said in 1 Cor 13:12b: “For the present the knowledge I gain is imperfect; but then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (WNT)
Something to look forward to!
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Stop Cursing the Birds
# 350 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 4:30-32, Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? "It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; "but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade."
This mustard plant represents the sum total of all the gifts of God found in Christ Jesus. It is the fullness of Christ and His kingdom It started out small, buried in the ground just outside Jerusalem. It was in Jerusalem that the kingdom of God (the church) established its roots, but has since spread out to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.
An interesting feature of this parable are the birds. Note that they are not part of the mustard plant, (not part of the kingdom of God) but they benefit greatly from its presence. Think of what this world would be like without the salt and light of the kingdom of God. Think of what this world would be like without Jesus.
The presence of Jesus in His church and in individual believers, graces this garden we call earth. I think we spend far too much time cursing the birds (you know, “Shoo! Get away from, me!”) instead of allowing God's grace to flow through us so that we might be the place of shelter and rest that the world so desperately needs.
As an old Gorden Jensen songs says, “You're the only Jesus some will ever see.” With God's grace flowing through us, let us allow ourselves to be that place of shade and rest.
Jesus was speaking to these very “rest seeking” birds when He said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
This mustard plant represents the sum total of all the gifts of God found in Christ Jesus. It is the fullness of Christ and His kingdom It started out small, buried in the ground just outside Jerusalem. It was in Jerusalem that the kingdom of God (the church) established its roots, but has since spread out to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.
An interesting feature of this parable are the birds. Note that they are not part of the mustard plant, (not part of the kingdom of God) but they benefit greatly from its presence. Think of what this world would be like without the salt and light of the kingdom of God. Think of what this world would be like without Jesus.
The presence of Jesus in His church and in individual believers, graces this garden we call earth. I think we spend far too much time cursing the birds (you know, “Shoo! Get away from, me!”) instead of allowing God's grace to flow through us so that we might be the place of shelter and rest that the world so desperately needs.
As an old Gorden Jensen songs says, “You're the only Jesus some will ever see.” With God's grace flowing through us, let us allow ourselves to be that place of shade and rest.
Jesus was speaking to these very “rest seeking” birds when He said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Jesus As Found In the Mustard Seed
# 349 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 4:30-32, Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? "It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; "but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade."
Jesus has been talking about seeds, and now He is looking for a type of seed that would serve as an illustration of the kingdom of God.
But what is the kingdom of God? It's all that emanates from Christ. It is the sum total of all the gifts of God found in Christ Jesus. It is helpful in understanding this parable, to liken Jesus to the mustard seed.
Note that this is not a wild mustard seed. It was purposely sown. The word “herbs” here means “vegetables,” This seed then was planted in a garden. The garden of course would be the earth, the world, and God the Father is the sower.
This tiniest of seeds was planted in the womb of Mary, and came forth in the insignificant little town of Bethlehem, and has now grown to overshadow the entire world.
This is the way of the kingdom of God is meant to be in you and I as well, it starts out with the tiniest seed of God-given faith planted in a humble heart, and then grows to overshadow our entire being as we grow in God's grace.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Jesus has been talking about seeds, and now He is looking for a type of seed that would serve as an illustration of the kingdom of God.
But what is the kingdom of God? It's all that emanates from Christ. It is the sum total of all the gifts of God found in Christ Jesus. It is helpful in understanding this parable, to liken Jesus to the mustard seed.
Note that this is not a wild mustard seed. It was purposely sown. The word “herbs” here means “vegetables,” This seed then was planted in a garden. The garden of course would be the earth, the world, and God the Father is the sower.
This tiniest of seeds was planted in the womb of Mary, and came forth in the insignificant little town of Bethlehem, and has now grown to overshadow the entire world.
This is the way of the kingdom of God is meant to be in you and I as well, it starts out with the tiniest seed of God-given faith planted in a humble heart, and then grows to overshadow our entire being as we grow in God's grace.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Untimely Death
# 348 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 4:28,29 "For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. "But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."
The sickle, a symbol of death. Like it or not, we have an opportunity here to talk about death. God is the perfect farmer and He knows when it is time to “bring the corn into the bin if you will.”
We often question God in the matter of what we consider to be untimely deaths, but there is no untimely death in God's overall plan. When His children are ready (ripe) He brings them home because in His eyes, there is no point in waiting.
It's a terrific struggle to trust this truth, but when we do, it can be a source of great peace. We sing a song at Thanksgiving called “Come Ye Thankful People Come.” The second verse reads:
“All the world is God's own field, fruit unto His praise to yield.
Wheat and tares together sown, unto joy or sorrow grow.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear,
Lord of harvest grant that we, wholesome grain and pure may be.”
Beloved, all the world IS God's own field for the ultimate purpose of His glory and praise. Our prayer must be that when our time of harvest comes, we will be found wholesome and pure as the wheat in this song. The only way that is possible is to be found in Christ. If we die in the faith, we will live unto joy in His presence forever.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
The sickle, a symbol of death. Like it or not, we have an opportunity here to talk about death. God is the perfect farmer and He knows when it is time to “bring the corn into the bin if you will.”
We often question God in the matter of what we consider to be untimely deaths, but there is no untimely death in God's overall plan. When His children are ready (ripe) He brings them home because in His eyes, there is no point in waiting.
It's a terrific struggle to trust this truth, but when we do, it can be a source of great peace. We sing a song at Thanksgiving called “Come Ye Thankful People Come.” The second verse reads:
“All the world is God's own field, fruit unto His praise to yield.
Wheat and tares together sown, unto joy or sorrow grow.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear,
Lord of harvest grant that we, wholesome grain and pure may be.”
Beloved, all the world IS God's own field for the ultimate purpose of His glory and praise. Our prayer must be that when our time of harvest comes, we will be found wholesome and pure as the wheat in this song. The only way that is possible is to be found in Christ. If we die in the faith, we will live unto joy in His presence forever.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
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