THE UNTOUCHABLES.

There was a warm breeze accompanied by the sound of birds and the slapping of waves against the shore.  Just then a head rises up looking over tall grass because there was another sound, now of wooden oars, being laid inside a boat as men stepped into the water to drag their boat inland.  Looking down on the visitors coming ashore, the man on the hill sniffed the air, rage and fear filled his mind, pain pierced his head like a two-edged sword. His body shook with tremors of an earthquake, and he released a growl from miles down in his spirit. This man had a reputation of demonic destruction of himself and others, most likely their livestock as well.  Due to his above normal strength and hellish rage, they could not arrest or secure him.  He was considered a public enemy, an untouchable and undesirable maniac...  He knew the man getting out of the boat.

His inward demons were spiritual, created and knew the name and identity of this person.  His fleshly body inhabited by frightened evil spirits ran down the hill, surprisingly stopped, worshiped and cried with a loud voice!

"What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the most High God?!"  " I beg you not to torment me"
Jesus said: "Come out of him. What is your name"
"Legion, for we are many, please do not send us away. Send us into the pigs"
And He sent them. After entering the swine, the herd went mad and ran down the opposite hill and drowned in the sea.

The towns people having heard of the pigs, came to see this Jesus and were most likely afraid, looking with disgust as they saw the crazy, maniac not desiring to get near enough to touch him.  They saw the man who had been demon-possessed, not squatting or in a crouching ready to attack position but sitting, clothed and in his right mind.  His life had been touched, healed and delivered.  One would wonder... if his mother or family had long been praying for him. When others had given up hope, Jesus sails into shore, touching his life, giving him heart and life transformation.

This man, once untouchable, received the heart of an evangelist, compelled by the love of Christ to touch the lives of others. He desired to come aboard the boat of Jesus and tell the world!  Jesus did not allow it but said:  "Go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."

Do you see all that happens here?  The maniac filled with demons; 1. Worshiped Jesus.  2.  Jesus delivered and changed him. 3.  The man wanted to follow Jesus.  4. Jesus commissioned him to go into the city, maybe back into the wilderness and tell others what Jesus had undeniably, done for him.

Has He done that for you? Is that the testimony you need to be sharing? Do you know someone, you or others have lost hope over?  Do not stop praying for them. Maybe you are that one; the undesirable, untouchable others have given up hope on.  Allow Jesus to meet you where you are and touch you. You can have that same heart and life transformation and peace with God followed by the peace of God.

Christmas in July? Resurrection Day in January?

  Many people love Christmas.  Even non-believers in Christ, know Christmas has a great "feeling".  It's a time of family and sharing gifts with friends, as well as being kind to strangers.  They may not ever enter church any other time but will enjoy attending this one occasion for the warm fuzzy, the music or Christmas play. 

Even though it's not the actual date... We use December 25th to remember the birthday of Jesus Christ.  It's when He, GOD the SON, leaves the Glory of Heaven and enters a manger. 

Many children have been born before and since but an Angel said:  "I bring good news of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in the town of  David a Savior has been born to you; He is CHRIST the LORD!"  Man, that's why I will celebrate Christmas every day of the year.

  Many don't know what it's all about, but if they are offered it; they'll take Good Friday off.  It's when we remember why this Holy Jesus was born in the first place... Jesus came at the right time, for it is when the religious leaders and government would kill Him for His claims. 

When they did.... Christ died for the world (that God loved) that whoever believes in Him would never perish but have eternal life.  

Many had died on a cross before and after but because of who He was; made this a Holy cross, a terrible cross, a saving cross!  Man, I will remember that everyday of the year.

They used to say; " Everybody goes to church to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus". Today? not so much.  Yet some will go and listen to the cantata or experience the big Resurrection presentation.  

Original pagan Holiday or not, we use this day to celebrate the Resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ.  Sacrifice accepted! great victory over sin, the grave and death.  Paul wrote: "For what I received I passed onto you as of first importance; that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the scriptures..." 

Paul wrote: "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."   and now He sits on the right hand of God.  Man, I will praise and worship as well as celebrate that everyday of the year.

  Bible says:  "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord and believe in you heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
  Paul wrote: "therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." and he said: "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Man, I will worship Christ and celebrate Christmas, Good Friday and Resurrection, everyday of the year!

How about you?

Here I Stand

I gave God my soul,
I then take my role.

Fight the good fight,
walking by faith, not sight.

On His truth I stand and sit,
standing fast no thought to quit.

Blast the past.
the vision cast.

He's my shield,
to Him I yield.

He's not the latest rave,
He shed His blood for all, to save!

Community investment

                                                            
It is encouraging to see construction of restaurants and stores beginning to start in our areas.  Jobs will be created as a result.  Beautification of the area is happening again.  We see the wisdom in the usage of large unused parking areas to build businesses etc.  I have noticed masses of people out an about!

*********************************************************************************


Let the church be encouraged as well,  to take advantage of open doors for sharing the Gospel to the millions of unreached and the discipleship training our own church's Biblical illiterate.  Improvement of our communities involve much more than buildings and restaurants for the belly.  If we truly desire community development in our neighborhood and families, we must declare and share the good news of Christ.

*********************************************************************************

This is not a world religion that includes efforts to merely turning over a new leaf or just trying harder, but a new generation with a new birth, heart and mind.  It is not infrastructural, but crossing over from trusting self, to trusting Christ, to spend eternity with God.  Followed by a transformed life.

Now that is community development.

True Life!

What was cold and seemingly lifeless, becomes a beautiful garden of colorful flowers of many sizes and shapes.

We can look back at our past spiritual position and experiences in our day-to-day life and see what was once, seemingly lifeless and without purpose.  

Through prayer and the power of God you had a season of change and new hope and an abundant life!  Like a flower garden it must be maintained daily.  Life killing weeds need to be removed, while water and fertilizer for growth and life, are to be added daily.

You may be reading this and living a troubled life, seemingly without hope.  Sadness even depression, the worries of this world are overwhelming.  We are all there for a time. That's natural, but we are not to park there. 

You can live on topside; you have hope for even eternity. That is supernatural.  Sin entered the world, but God desires you to believe and receive what He has for you. His new life!  We do not work for salvation, but it takes (as in our earthly relationships) a minute-by-minute effort to maintain and enjoy that relationship of love.

*Read the letter to the Philippians
*Prayer that includes worship, asking, interceding, thankfulness.
*A Bible believing counselor
*A good book (with Christian values)

We accept and trust, not in ourselves, but in what Christ did on the cross, not only in what He did, but who He is.  The Bible says to draw near to Him and He'll draw near to you. Asking forgiveness, know you have that forgiveness of sin and power of God, to live the life He desires.  You can have great joy and peace, (though there will be storms), living right where God has placed you. Then we are to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those that rejoice. 

 Let's be the flower, God and others can be blessed by.

John 10: 7-18.  Matthew 6: 25-34