Saturday, September 15, 2018

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). First 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 64 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 of the Spirit” 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

13 thoughts on “Saturday, September 15, 2018

  1. When David types more than his quota,it is an extra blessing.Today we received “meat” instead of milk and it is up to us to ask for more understanding so we can exercise that love as Jesus intended.
    These words stood out in David’s comments: ” I need to constantly remember that the “fruit of the Spirit” is the character of Jesus and the “gifts of the Spirit” were the means through which He ministered to human need. ”

    Chains Of Sin

    When I surrendered to you,
    I was down low upon my knees,
    I felt your presence and I knew
    I had to give to you my keys.

    They were the keys to my soul
    And they would open wide my heart
    So You could work to make me whole
    And tear the chains of sin apart.

    With the old sin dieing now,
    No more to be bound day and night,
    I freely to you now avow
    That I will walk within your light.

    So,Jesus,I am all yours
    Since down upon my knees I rose,
    Free from the anguish one endures
    Where grace left me in sweet repose.
    (G.W.)Bill Marshall/17May,2016

  2. Love your poems Mr. W. Marshall ! WE are so blessed to be able to follow this Bible study and read the input of other believers.May God bless you all.

  3. Yes, “and the Greatest of these is “LOVE”!! So True! “Fill me now, fill me now, Jesus come and fill me now, fill me with your Holy Spirit, come O come and fill me now”. Without You Jesus, I am nothing, but with You in me, I can do all thing”!! Thank You JESUS!! AMEN!!

  4. God bless everyone on this blog!

    Lord You know how lonely I am! Please send me the right person to rent the back room! would be nice to have someone like Ross, he was respectful,responsible,married my neighbour,
    the concert was great last night! Ty for the energy to pain the deck,
    bless my sleep, and may I get a phone call informing me that I won tons of money enough to pay off loan,do upgrades,send money to family;invest rest and just spend time serving others
    TY Lord for my car,a home,good physical health,TY for hearing Your Word,
    in Jesus Name amen

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