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Monday, April 13, 2009
Driven Away
The men that had the work of caring for the pigs ran away.
They went into town and told the people what happened. They
told about all that happened with the pigs and with the men
that had demons. Then the whole town went out to see Jesus.
When the people saw Jesus, they begged him to leave their
area.
-- Matthew 8:33-34 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
The status quo is very powerful! We would rather things not change if
they are going to threaten us or our livelihood, even though that
change might mean something better for others. We would rather things
not change when the change makes us look at things differently or
forces us to treat others differently at our expense. We would rather
things not change if we don't understand the change or the reason for
the change. So we had better not be overly quick to pass judgment on
the folks who asked Jesus to leave. Change makes most of us
uncomfortable in one way or another. Jesus' goal, however, isn't merely
change; he is about deliverance, blessing, and transformation. He wants
us to be transformed by the Holy Spirit to become more like him. That
is his goal; and if we seek him as Lord, his transformation in us will
be every bit as dramatic over time as it was with the men who had
demons. So the question is, do you want him to leave you alone or to
leave you changed?
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Righteous God, forgive me when I see the irritating things in others
rather than their need for salvation. I know that your work of
transformation needs to continue in me, so that I might live for you in
today's world. Change my heart, my behavior, and my thoughts to be like
my Savior. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/0413-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+8:33-34&sr=1&t=erv
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