Just as these beautiful birds were all lined up, plumped under their feathers and soaking up the sun, even so we can be an authentic voice but not everyone may see us as that or even hear the true message spoken.

Jesus not only spoke the message of God’s deliverance but gave a visual aid when the man was delivered from a legion of demons. Those from the surrounding country came out and witnessed the miracle.

Instead of accepting Jesus for who He was (Son of the Most High God), the people cast him away by asking Him to leave. Why? Because they were filled with great fear.

Are we more fearful of a legion of demons or of the power of God to deliver us?

Truly, God is able to deliver us from the curse of sin through His Son, Christ Jesus the Lord.

The man who was delivered yearned to stay close to Jesus but Jesus sent him away, for a greater purpose. He was the messenger that the people could listen to and understand. For this powerful display was from a good God. The delivered man declared how much Jesus had done for him, throughout the city.

When we are sent away, it may not be easy. In fact, it may be downright lonely. However, the messenger sent to this hometown city may be you. Are you willing to declare how much God has done for you? -Teresa

Luke 8:33-39 (ESV)

³³ Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.

³⁴ When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.³⁵ Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. ³⁶ And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed^[c] man had been healed. ³⁷ Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. ³⁸ The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,³⁹ “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Luke 8:26 Some manuscripts Gadarenes; others Gergesenes; also verse 37
2. Luke 8:27 Greek he; also verses 38, 42
3. Luke 8:36 Greek daimonizomai (demonized); elsewhere rendered oppressed by demons

P.S. it’s my 13th year anniversary on WordPress!!

Dear Lord, please help me to speak the message of your goodness for many more years. -Teresa

By taking care of the earth and watering it, God abounds in goodness for mankind.

This collage of pictures includes several points of beauty that I witnessed this past week.

Whether it’s my potted orchid plant, my grandson next to the creek or my husband and I enjoying our hike- everything seems to radiate with this joy of provision and bountiful harvest.

Rich provision comes when the soil is softened by the rain. The rain melts the clods, levels the ridges and allows the bounty of growth.

With my heart (when it becomes hardened), I recognize not wanting endless rain melting me. It may involve messy tears, uncomfortable anxiety, endless time alone in the wilderness with God.

Afterwards, however, I’m always grateful for the Father’s rich provision. #Hiswayisbest

The reality of abundant crops multiplying for His kingdom makes me want to shout and sing for joy.

God is in the business of blessing the world with abundance. But, are we willing to be part of His plan? -Teresa #losingmyselftogainHim #treasure

Psalm 65:9-13 (NLT)

⁹ You take care of the earth and water it,
    making it rich and fertile.
The river of God has plenty of water;
    it provides a bountiful harvest of grain,
    for you have ordered it so.
¹⁰ You drench the plowed ground with rain,
    melting the clods and leveling the ridges.
You soften the earth with showers
    and bless its abundant crops.
¹¹ You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
    even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
¹² The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture,
    and the hillsides blossom with joy.
¹³ The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep,
    and the valleys are carpeted with grain.
    They all shout and sing for joy!

John the Baptizer was brought into the world as a miracle to his parents, an encouragement to Mary (pregnant with Jesus), and a promise of deliverance for this Jewish nation under Roman oppression.

Darkness and the shadow of death may have kept the world then (and now) from recognizing the path of peace provided through our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.

If we, like John the Baptist, remember our spiritual strengthening, we may even recognize that it includes a bit of seclusion (like living in the wilderness).

Strong in Spirit means sustenance for that which God has prepared as our own ministry. We gain strength by living without distraction. We gain strength through time alone with God and in His word.

The light of His presence and the breaking up of shadows provides clarity. Not only do the wrong motives of those seeking fame or fortune become obvious but those hiding in the shadow lands cannot skulk around anymore.

God has certainly shown His tender mercies on Israel and the entire world, through His Son.

No longer am I waiting for the approval of those who appear powerful but am resting in the certainty of Him who is all powerful.

As I offer my body a living sacrifice, Lord, holy and acceptable to You, which is my reasonable service of worship…I will no longer be conformed to this world but I receive your transformation by the renewing of my mind, proving that which is Your good, perfect and acceptable will, oh God. (My prayer based on..Romans 12:1,2)

How great the joy of Elizabeth and Zechariah as they welcomed their son. How great our joy as we recognize the Savior, God’s Son. -Teresa #ministryaccomplished

Luke 1:67-80 (NLT)

⁶⁷ Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

⁶⁸ “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has visited and redeemed his people.
⁶⁹ He has sent us a mighty Savior^[a]
    from the royal line of his servant David,
⁷⁰ just as he promised
    through his holy prophets long ago.
⁷¹ Now we will be saved from our enemies
    and from all who hate us.
⁷² He has been merciful to our ancestors
    by remembering his sacred covenant—
⁷³ the covenant he swore with an oath
    to our ancestor Abraham.
⁷⁴ We have been rescued from our enemies
    so we can serve God without fear,
⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness
    for as long as we live.

⁷⁶ “And you, my little son,
    will be called the prophet of the Most High,
    because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
⁷⁷ You will tell his people how to find salvation
    through forgiveness of their sins.
⁷⁸ Because of God’s tender mercy,
    the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,^[b]
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    and to guide us to the path of peace.”

⁸⁰ John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.

Shoveling snow (the garage kept our tractor, used for snow plowing, potato field plowing and cutting summer grass for the hay barn where we housed the hunting dogs). I first learned to drive on the tractor!

We may not see the artwork that God is indelibly printing on our lives. During the process it seems painful and messy.

The end result, of course, is that those God chooses will smell the scent of God’s aroma over our actions. It will be undeniable that His will was done, although the suffering of the moment is not easy to endure. #love

For the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross. Should we do any less-even when it feels hard, bad, or painfully disrespectful? #gutsobs

Grief will attempt to crush us but the hope of “God’s will be done” buoys our resolve to trust Him (our Heavenly Father) and obey his plan for salvation (trusting His Son’s finished work at Calvary).

Lord Jesus, thank you for making all things new. Your obedience unto death, even death on the cross means life for me. -Teresa #resurrection

P.S. So many were moved by Nicole C. Mullen’s song last week, I’m including another today. My Redeemer Lives

Mark 14:32-36 (NLT)

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

³² They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” ³³ He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. ³⁴ He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

³⁵ He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by.³⁶ “Abba, Father,”^[c] he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Who are we to hold back those who need God? Please touch our lives, Lord, with your blessing. Through your sacrifice bring us peace with God.

Seeking God’s blessing means we will find his gift. Knocking results in an open door. Asking is the first step in being offered the gift of eternal life.

The most important step is receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life. He is not annoyed, no matter how insignificant your life may “feel”. Even the children were considered important to Him.

Having faith like a child is vital. Without this ability to “see” things the way God does, we are incapable of trust.

Lord, give us eyes to see as you do. May we not ever stand in the way or hinder those who need your blessing. -Teresa

Nicole C. Mullen Please take 5 minutes to worship the “glory” of our Savior. I was touched by such an incredibly amazing performance… (especially the soliloquy on David’s despair). Many of the You Tube comments speak to this God who “sees” us in our need, and meets us…miraculously.

Mark 10:13-16 (ESV)

Let the Children Come to Me

¹³ And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. ¹⁵ Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.