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“and it came to pass also on another Sabbath, that He entered into the Synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered (Lk. 6:6).
What a blessing it must have been to have heard Jesus teach! And yet, those whose hearts were not right with God found no substance in His Words of Life, just as those presently! That’s why Jesus was constantly saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Lk. 8:8).
There was a man in the Synagogue “whose right hand was withered.” This portrays the entirety of the human race, spiritually withered as a result of the Fall, especially the “right hand.” Considering that the man, as are most, was right-handed, his activities, of necessity, would have been greatly curtailed. This pictures the entirety of the human race, which is in the same condition.
Concerning this, Paul said, “For the flesh (in this case, evil desires) lusts against the Spirit (is the opposite of the Holy Spirit), and the Spirit against the flesh (it is the Holy Spirit Alone, Who can subdue the flesh; He does so, as we have repeatedly stated, by our Faith being placed exclusively in the Cross): and these are contrary one to the other (these two can never harmonize; as Paul has stated, the old nature must be cast out, which the Holy Spirit Alone can do): so that you cannot do the things that you would. (Without the Holy Spirit, Who works by the Cross, the Believer cannot live a Holy life [Gal. 5:17].)
It must be remembered that Paul is speaking here to Believers. He is simply telling us that, due to the “withered hand,” we simply cannot function as we ought to, even though we are saved and are new creations in Christ Jesus (II Cor. 5:17). Consequently, we must function according to the pattern laid down by Christ.
Unfortunately, the Scribes and the Pharisees greatly opposed His healing the man. They were more concerned about their petty rules, which, incidentally, were manmade, than about the restoration of this man. That is a perfect picture of religion.
Despite their opposition, the Christ of Glory told the man to stand up in obvious view of the entirety of the crowd, and then told Him, “Stretch forth your hand.” The man did so, “and his hand was restored whole as the other.” That is the only cure for the fallen sons of Adam’s lost race. The Church, at least for the most part, however, has unfortunately adopted the ways of the world, and I speak of humanistic psychology, in trying to meet this problem. There is no help from that source, even as there cannot be any help from that source.
Let all know and realize:
No matter how badly withered is the right hand, Jesus can restore it. That’s His business!”
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
Light rejected is light withdrawn. When God opens the door of understanding and reveals truth, it is incumbent upon the one to whom truth was revealed to accept it. One should not just accept truth but begin the process of plumbing its depth. There is always far more that God wants us to see than just the initial truth. The believer must not push away revelation, the study of the revelation, nor the application of the revelation. If at anytime the believer fails to follow through with his responsibility regarding the light given, then light begins to dim. What was meant to shine brightly into the life of the individual can quickly be changed into something obscure, dark, and hidden. God expects us to accept truth when it is given. He becomes angry when truth is ignored or rejected. So whenever God opens your heart and mind to something you have never seen before, be sure to attend to it wisely. Let what has been added to you produce the full benefit that God intended. Understand the truth that light rejected brings a negative response. These are spiritual laws that God does not alter or change for anyone. So when God reveals the truth, do not push it away. The price is too high!
Romans 1:18 - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Proverbs 23:9
Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
The command from our Lord is not to speak into the ears of a fool, as the fool is the one who says in his heart there is no God (Psalm 53:1). We are called to redeem the time, and this is one sure way to waste time, because God says the fool will despise the wisdom of our words, which are God’s Words. We minister the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, and when the fool arises and rejects the Light offered him, the Light moves on down the road. The message of the cross is the only message that can save the lost, and bring a wandering church back to the path of Light in Christ. God doesn’t say to plead and plead with the fool, but to no longer speak into his ears. It hurts and grieves the child of God to have to move on, but sometimes it is just time to move on!
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
“and they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. And when He went forth to land, there met Him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and wore no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs (Lk. 8:26-27).
As stated in other accounts, every miracle of healing that Jesus performed was not only for the person or persons involved, but also was meant to teach a great spiritual truth. The deliverance of the maniac of Gadara presents an excellent example.
Matthew mentions two demoniacs; but, Mark and Luke, mention one. If there were two, there certainly was one. He is here individualized as being probably both the fiercer and better known of the two; he also alone asked to be permitted to remain with the Lord, becoming an effective Preacher. The other demoniac presented no such peculiar interests and is, therefore, not mentioned by Mark or Luke.
The man described by Luke was demon-possessed, so controlled by demons, in fact, that he could no longer function in society. He wore no clothes, cut himself with stones (Mk. 5:5), and dwelt in tombs among the dead bodies. Spiritually speaking, this is a perfect description of much of the world. They are controlled by demon spirits; death, in many and varied ways, is the result, i.e., all unredeemed, in a sense, are dead while they live (I Tim. 5:6).
According to the Scripture, when the demoniac saw Jesus, he ran and worshipped Him (Mk. 5:6). This tells us that demon spirits worship the Lord more than many who call themselves “Christians.” When Jesus questioned him, asking him his name, he answered, “Legion.” This means that a host of demon spirits occupied this man, at least 2,000 (Mk. 5:13).
The demons asked if they could go into the swine which were nearby, and Jesus permitted them to do so. Upon the entrance of the demons, the swine immediately ran into the lake and were drowned.
The only answer for possessed, dissipated, disconcerted, displaced humanity is the Lord Jesus Christ. To be sure, humanistic psychology holds no answer whatsoever. Jesus Alone holds the answer; but, regrettably, psychology is preached in most Churches, and Jesus little, if at all!
The Gadarenes took no interest in the Salvation from Satan’s power of a fellow human being, but they viewed the loss of their property, i.e., the hogs, with deep concern. They have many successors today. The deliverance of people from the powers of darkness, be it alcohol, drugs, etc., excites no one in the world, but the destruction of a distillery by fire causes much excitement.
The delivered man wanted to come and be with Jesus, which is easy to understand; however, Jesus told him to go and “Show what great things God has done for you.” The young ruler was commanded to follow Christ (Mk. 10:21); the leper was forbidden to speak of Christ (Mk. 1:43); but the former demoniac was ordered to publish what great things Jesus had done for him.”
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
Have you ever suffered a devastating loss? Losses that are of a financial nature can be extremely troubling. The loss of a job causes one to lose a sense of security, especially when one lives paycheck to paycheck. At times we may suffer the loss of a home or a vehicle. We may even lose or have taken away things of an intangible nature; things such as prestige, a good reputation, or a platform of prominence. Perhaps some failure, some sin, has stolen away from you that which you deemed as precious? When King David suffered a great loss at Ziklag, the scripture says that he encouraged himself in the Lord. He began to seek the Lord about the recovery of what had been lost. The Lord instructed him to pursue after the enemy and that he would recover all. So if a devastating loss has occurred in your life, recall to mind the truth that God is able to restore everything that has been lost. As a matter of fact, He is even able to add to your life so that you have more in the end than you ever had at the beginning. Start right now to encourage yourself in the Lord. In Christ, you can recover all and more!
Joel 2:25 - And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
Proverbs 23:10
Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
Removing landmarks speaks of the boundaries which were usually stones that marked property lines. To remove them was prohibited by the Lord. There were those who would move the rocks of boundary to increase their land and to steal from others. Being commanded not to enter into the fields of the fatherless speaks of taking land from those who have been left fatherless, which would be taking advantage of the helpless. This is one thing God is very concerned with and will get involved in to bring judgment upon those who do this. The New Covenant commands the child of God to steal no more but to work with their own hands to provide for his family and the needy (Ephesians 4:28). Those who look through faith in the blood will know that their Lord’s commands are not grievous (1 John 5:3).
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
“and it came to pass afterward, that He went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God: and the Twelve were with Him. And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto Him of their substance (Lk. 8:1-3).
Man magnifies sacraments and ceremonies and belittles preaching. God magnifies preaching. It pleases Him, by the foolishness of preaching, i.e., preaching the Cross, to save men (I Cor. 1:21). Christ preached incessantly, and so did the Apostle Paul, the Twelve, and the Seventy. To be sure, that is our example. If we are to see spiritual results, we will have to follow that example.
Satan does not fear ceremonies, but he greatly fears the anointed preaching of the Gospel.
Women are prominent and honorably mentioned in Luke. Some of these women were wealthy and they used their money to minister to the Lord’s necessities. His were the cattle on a thousand hills; with a few loaves, He could feed thousands. But He did not feed Himself. For sustenance, He depended on these women and others. Thus, He proved that He was a Man like his fellowmen; at the same time, He tested their fidelity to, and their affection for, Himself. True Disciples, now as then, minister to Him; mere professors do not.
“Susanna” is mentioned only here. Nothing whatever is known of her, and yet is her name known throughout the whole world because it is recorded in this one Verse. Here, as elsewhere, it seems that women worked and men talked.
Mary Magdalene was delivered from Satanic dominion; she, therefore, loved Him greatly. She was, in fact, the very first one to preach the Gospel of the Resurrection (Mk. 16:9-10).
It must have been difficult for these women to face the scorn and contempt of the religious leaders of Israel; yet they were faithful to the end. It was not a woman who betrayed the Lord for thirty pieces of silver; it was not women who forsook Him and fled; nor was it a woman who thrice denied that she knew Him. But it was women who wailed and lamented when He was led forth to be crucified; it was women who stood to the last by His Cross; and it was women who were the first to visit His Tomb on the Resurrection Morning.
It was Jesus, therefore, Who liberated women from the stigma of Eve being the first to fall (Gen. 3:1-6).”
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
Jesus promised that those who came to Him in faith would receive “living water.” The water that He spoke of was the promise of the Holy Spirit. How awesome to know that the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts. He is always there, day or night, in troubled times, or in times of great joy. He is there to lead the believer into all truth. He is there to convict us when we get off track. He is there to reveal the truth of God’s Word. He is there to aid the believer in worship. Jesus died on Calvary to make this “living water” available. By bearing my sin penalty on Calvary, Jesus paved the way for the Spirit to live inside of me. Oh how grateful I am for this “living water.” It transcends religion, rules, rituals, and regimens and brings on righteous relationship. It rises to drown out every doubt and fear. This living water creates a love in my soul for the things of God, the Word of God, the person of God. What a magnificent wonder that Emmanuel, God with us, is alive and well in me. My friend; I encourage you to take a drink of this water, for after doing so you will never thirst again!
John 7:37-38 - In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (38) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Proverbs 23:11
For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
This particular verse of scripture reveals what will happen when someone is stealing land and taking advantage of the fatherless. God says their Redeemer is mighty, which is the Lord Himself, and that He will plead their cause with the thief. They will not have to do it as the Lord will intercede for them. I would not want to be on the wrong side of the courtroom if the Lord was the Lawyer for the other side, and He is just that for the Fatherless. Coming to God through faith in Jesus Christ and His Redeeming work at the cross allows us to be the children of God, and there is no greater Father than Him. He will plead our cause and will defend, and avenge all who oppose His righteousness. Trust in Christ and His cross today, and you will see the salvation of your God, and His mighty hand in your life.
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
“and a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind Him, and touched the border of His garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched (Lk. 8:43-44).
There is a tremendous lesson on faith in the illustration of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. This lesson is applicable to all!
The woman had been sick for some twelve years. The implication is that she had been financially well off, but had spent all that she had on physicians, “neither could be healed of any.” This is not meant to be a diatribe against doctors, for Luke himself was a physician. It simply meant that they couldn’t help her, just as doctors presently are helpless in many cases. The implication also is that some pretended to help her only to get her money.
As Jesus came, hundreds thronged Him. No doubt, the woman wanted to appeal to Him personally, but there was no way it could be done. Too many people were pushing and shoving; besides that, she was frail and weak.
Faith, however, does not quit. She said, “If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole” (Mk. 5:28). The great lesson presented here is that if Christ doesn’t touch us, we can touch Him. So that opens the door to all, at least all who will believe. When she touched Him, she was healed immediately.
Jesus then asked her to give her testimony, which she did. “And He said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: your faith has made you whole; go in peace” (Lk. 8:48).
There is one more great lesson here! In Verse 43, she was addressed merely as “a woman.” But now Jesus calls her “Daughter,” which means that He claimed her.
Of this woman, one might say the following:
1. She was chained: She was chained by sickness and sin.
2. She was changed: There is only One Who truly can change people, and that is the Lord.
3. She was claimed: She was merely “a woman” previously, but now she is “Daughter.”
The Lord “claims” all those whom He “changes.”’
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
The Christian experience is the most wonderful experience afforded to a human being. But as Christians, we must also prepare ourselves for difficult times. The Bible tells us that every one of us must endure the trial of our faith. To think that these times will never occur is not a reasonable expectation. To believe that every day will bring forth a heinous trial is not faith. Our hearts must be prepared for a balance ...of experiences. We must each walk this pathway in solitude; for it is our faith alone that is truly on trial. Satan is not after your body, your money, your house, your job, or your health. He has designs on your faith. For if he can destroy your faith, he can gain your soul. So weary Christian, know that the road may be long and difficult. It may seem impossible to traverse. But it is in these desolate times where one often truly obtains intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ. He too walked many a lonely road and He knows our limits. He is the only one we can thoroughly lean on. And while the circumstance faced is certainly unlovely, our fellowship with Christ during these times of the lonely road is most glorious. March on!
Psalm 16:11 - Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Proverbs 23:12
Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
To apply one’s heart is to come in or to go in, as this word speaks of entering into something or some place. We know this because it is in the heart that our issues of life arise (Proverbs 4:23). This is why He tells us to apply or rather to enter into by faith His instruction, and to search for His Words of knowledge. His Words of instruction and knowledge are all wrapped up, not in our doing, but through our faith in the Living Word, which is Jesus Christ and His doing at Calvary! Jesus said the scriptures are about Him, and to have the Life the scriptures speak of, we must come to Him (John 5:39-40), but coming to Him only takes place as our faith is in His death at Calvary for the atonement for our sins. This is the faith in which we live by (Galatians 2:20).
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
“and, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the Synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought Him that He would come into his house: For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as He went the people thronged Him (Lk. 8:41-42).
Love descends rather than ascends. Hence parents love their children more than children love their parents. So God loves man, but man does not love God. With one exception (Mk. 1:30), the Gospels do not record children coming to Jesus on behalf of their parents, but cases of parents coming to Him on behalf of their children are frequent.
Jairus would have Jesus come to heal his daughter, who was at the point of death. In fact, the little girl died while her father was gone to get Jesus. When the child grew ill, Jesus was across the Sea of Galilee, delivering the maniac of Gadara. Jairus was undoubtedly desperate for Jesus to return, and when He returned, the man hastened to Him.
But Jesus was delayed again by the woman who touched the hem of His garment. Finally, he is told, “Your daughter is dead. Trouble not the Master.” Jesus, however, says, “Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.” What thoughts ran through Jairus’ mind when Jesus made this statement?
When the Master went to Jairus’ home, He asked only Peter, James, and John to go with Him. Three times He did this. Why these Three?
1. He would raise the child from the dead, showing these Three His “Power.”
2. At the Mount of Transfiguration, He would show these Three His “Glory” (Lk. 9:28).
3. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He would show these Three His “Suffering” (Mat. 26:37).
When Jesus told the mourners that the child was only sleeping, they laughed Him to scorn. What the Lord meant was that the child was not going to stay dead! He spoke of death as sleeping, because He would take all fear out of death; He would do so by defeating death at the Cross.
Mark said they “entered in where the damsel was lying” (Mk. 5:40). The Greek word for “entered” here means “to go on a journey.” To be sure, it was a journey of unprecedented proportions for His Three Disciples and the parents. They would witness the child being raised from the dead. Any and every person who makes Christ the Saviour and Lord of his life enters on a journey of staggering proportions, so staggering, in fact, that it is impossible presently to comprehend it all.
Jesus took the child by the hand and said, “Maid, arise.” Then “her spirit came again, and she arose immediately.” This fact demonstrates the separate existence of the spirit, independent from the body. Evidently, the spirit of the child went to Paradise, but was, as is obvious, abruptly called back.
Jesus “charged them that they should tell no man what was done.” He sought neither publicity nor admiration. His appeal was to the heart and to the conscience. His mission was to bring people to Repentance and to forgiveness of sins. There can be no understanding of the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ apart from this consciousness of sin against God and the need of pardon.
To work great miracles and yet seek to hide them is foreign to human nature. Men love admiration and publicity; shallow streams make the most noise (Williams).”
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
Who can you trust? Who in your life have you found that you can rely on? Who has proven themselves faithful, consistent, and ever present in your time of need? How many people have you found that you can depend upon in a time of desperation? How many people make themselves available to you during a difficult and troubling time? To be honest, most people are uncomfortable around trouble that does not involve or affect them. But I have to testify that in the decades in which I have known and served the Lord Jesus Christ, there has never been a circumstance in which He has failed to supply all that I required. Every bill has been paid. Every financial need has been met. Every sickness that attached itself to my physical frame has been overcome. Every sorrow has been eased and every difficult issue has been resolved. Of highest import, every failure, every sin, every act of stupidity, neither exasperated Him or ever chased Him away. I have found a sure Savior, a righteous redeemer, and a constant companion. He hasn't stayed because of my goodness, my faithfulness, or my consistency. All these attributes belong solely to Him. So to Jesus, my precious friend, to you alone do I pledge my trust.
Psalm 9:10 - And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord , hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Proverbs 23:13
Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
Discipline in the life of the child when needed is the correction they need. Without correction the spirit of foolishness will not depart from the child, but God says the rod of correction will drive it far from them (Proverbs 22:15). I’m sure that when my Dad corrected me when growing up, many today if they had seen it, would have said, “He is going to kill him”, but God has promised that the rod of correction when used will not kill him. I know that because of much child abuse today many have gone completely the other direction, and no longer use the rod of correction, but this is against God’s Word, and causes many to fall into the snare of the enemy. If we are bible believing parents we will raise our children up in the admonition and loving discipline of the Lord. If we aren’t disciplining our children, it is because we do not really believe that He disciplines/chastens us as His children. He does, and if He doesn’t, then we are not His children (Hebrews 12:8).
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
