A HUNDREDFOLD
Today’s Reading: Luke 8
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
A path, bordered by wheat fields, leading down from the Mount of Beatitudes to the Sea of Galilee. Does this look like a 100-fold return on the original seed sown?
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Luke 8:8
“…But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
This reading begins with the deliverance of Mary Magdalene from seven demons. It also contains the deliverance of the man on the other side of the lake who had many demons. What are we to make of this? We hear little of deliverance from demons now. Why? Perhaps it is because of the lack of the Gift of the Spirit known as “discerning of spirits” (1 Corinthians 12:10). 1 Corinthians 12:31 tells us to “earnestly desire the best gifts.” The outward expression of these two tormented people varied. Jesus’ way of dealing with them varied and the results varied. Mary of Magdala was the first at Jesus’ empty tomb, and the second was sent home by Jesus to minister to His family. May I suggest that the key to a ministry of deliverance is in our key verse…”a hundredfold.” Let us move from 30 and 60 on up to our full potential in Christ. Other spiritual gifts necessary in deliverance are most certainly: “The word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith” (1 Corinthians12:8). Please take note of the word “another.” Powerful results will be seen when we work in unity with others!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, You are my Deliverance! In You I trust! Hallelujah! Please send Your Holy Spirit to accelerate my growth towards that 100-fold goal. I desperately need that “more excellent way” spoken of by Paul (1 Corinthians 12:31) and described in 1 Corinthians 13, “the way of love.” Please fill me with Your love and grant me wisdom in all my ministry. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve learned through 62 years since God called me to ministry that love is the essential ingredient. Love calls me to great care for others, to respecting each person as made in God’s image, to work with others closely, submitting one to another, and not allowing any one person to manipulate or lord it over others. “God is love” (1 John 4:8). In my devotions earlier, I read 1 John, chapters 2 to 4. Also, I read 1 Corinthians 13. I’ve taken note that this “Love Chapter” is like the meat in the sandwich of chapters 12 and 14. These chapters are about the Gifts. Without a full growth of the Fruit of the Spirit, which is “Love,” gifts exercised in a loveless way can do more harm than good (Galatians 5:22-23). I need to constantly remember that the “fruit of the Spirit” is the character of Jesus and the gifts were the means through which He ministered to human need. Though He was fully God, He functioned as a man, 100% filled with the Holy Spirit. Oh, how I pray fervently for a greater measure of the fullness of God’s Spirit. I’m gazing into His face by faith now as the Holy Spirit fills me for this new day. As John wrote, “We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). My heart is so full that I’ve typed well over my goal of 100 words. Please be patient with me.
Yours for 100-fold living in Christ,
David
You can type over your limit anytime for your wisdom empowers us to be faithful followers ofThePrecious Lord Jesus Father we desire go be filled with Your Spirit to cast out demons and lay hands on the sick and they recover to do what Jesus did use us Lord inJesusName Amen
Glory to God in the highest and to his people on earth.
We are lifted each morning by the truth and grace of Your Word.
Oh come and live and breathe in us, oh Holy Spirit of God.
We live our lives to do Your Will, to live, to give, to love.
Beverlee Kay
I was feeling poetic this morning but this was all that came out. I was so moved by today’s message and scriptures. 1 John 2:17b: he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 Cor 13: So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Gal. 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Your words, David: “I need to constantly remember that the “fruit of the Spirit” is the character of Jesus and the gifts were the means through which He ministered to human need…. I’m gazing into His face by faith now as the Holy Spirit fills me for this new day.” Oh, David, thank you for such inspiring words–they touch the depths of my heart and soul. The fervent love of our Saviour Jesus Christ be in us all on this blessed day! Amen! Thank you saints for your continued prayers for me, this week.
Amen. With a “good and noble heart” help us to move in the “more excellent way”; in love and produce a 100 fold. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Amen to that David! My daughter gave me a plack that says “Love is the answer no matter what the question” I’m a new blogger .Thanks so much for this blog!!
yellow bus 2011
AMEN!! It is certainly a challenge to live in the fullness of Christ’s character to the degree in which we are humanly capable. Thankfully, we have His example and direction for our lives!
I believe that your 100 words (more or less) produce a 100-fold return for those of us fortunate to follow you in your faith journey on this blog!
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus
Such a lovely pic today. Thank you Reynold.
As always Rev. DM your comments and explanations are greatly appreciated. I’m sure it must be difficult to keep some ambitious souls from trying to lord over others.
On my behalf your comments over 100 words is always appreciated.
God bless us all I pray.
Amen to all of the above! God’s blessing on each and every one today!
Led by The Spirit 100 more or less, we are thankful for your words that empower us and for your faithfulness each day in expounding The Word to us.
Lord fill us each and every morning with a newness of Your Spirit to shine for Jesus!
Blessings to all.
Thank you for your faithfulness…more than 100 words is ok with me!!!
me too:)
I believe I might have walked that same path in March this year Oh how beautiful I found the land of Isreal As far as you David writing more than 100 words is no problem for me enjoy every thought you bring forth Together we are in His service trusting for the 100 fold return
http://Www.100Wordsormore.ca should be the blog name! I’m disappointed when the messages are short. Why would Jesus not want some people to understand & believe? Why would Jesus grant the wishes of demons to not be sent into the abiss? (I guess the time for judgement has not come in this case)? Have a great day!
To move in a more excellent way …thank Ger for that prayer…that too is my desire. Thank you Pastor David for your prayer “to accelerate my growth towards that 100 fold goal”.
Heavenly Father thank you that Your word tells me: Phil. 2:13 “that it is God which works in me both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”
Phil. 2:12 but “…. am to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling” Praise God I am leaning on your everlasting arms as you lead and guide me in this Your Day! Thank You Jesus. Amen!
God gives us much time to accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour! Right up until the last milli second! I heard a sermon saying “Jesus passed through a town” He passed by those whose hurts were hardened HOWEVER
my words continued: (something acting up) HOWEVER Jesus noticed a man who was blind from birth, Jesus spit on the ground, took dirt and mixed it together and put it on the man’s eyes and told him to go to a place and wash or bath himself and the man did so and of course he could see and told everyone what Jesus had done! What struck me that Jesus “passed by those whose hearts were already hardened” the story gets really interesting after that, it made me stop and think, I am so thankful that God forgives our sins through the death and resurrection of His Son JesusChrist! Friends, family, neighbours need to hear those words! People live in isolation, shame, anger, hopelessness….all we can do is Lord may my words be kind today and uplifting for many.
forgive my spelling in the first blog it should read “hearts were hardened: and not hurts…sorry….
I have heard that demon possession is becoming more frequent. Why do you think we hear less about deliverance? I think many are being freed by exorcists with the power of Jesus.