Thoughts on Luke 11:24-26

Read Luke 11:24-26.

There is no such thing as spiritually neutrality!  People act, though, as if there is such a thing.  They want to be rid of their demons, then keep an empty "house" (empty of Jesus, that is).  What people need, after the eviction of demons, is a move-in by a permanent tenant named Jesus.  To refuse Jesus means they want self-improvement instead of repentance.  In God's eyes there is no difference between a respectable sinner and a vile one.

There are three "houses" to consider:
1.  The occupied house.
2.  The unoccupied house.
3.  The re-occupied house.

The owner cleans and orders his house, thinking that an improved life (life without demons and torment) is the goal.  Nothing changed for this owner.  He still calls the shots. The demon is evicted now, but Jesus has not been welcomed inside.  The man is still driven by his fleshly nature, improved as he thinks it is.

Deliverance Without Disturbance (Mt. 8:34)

Read Matthew 8:34.

What upset the pig herders so much that the town asked Jesus to leave?  They weren't put off by the transformation of those who used to be demon-possessed.  Who wouldn't rejoice in that?  It was when Jesus' intervention went beyond the spiritual domain that the town asked Him to leave. The pig herders and other tradesmen allowed for lives to be changed but not for livelihoods to be compromised.  Jesus was welcome to heal, preach and bless so long as those activities didn't limit their business. In other words, "Stay out of our business, Jesus. Expel demons -- make our lives better -- but don't touch our idols."

Is there an area in your life that is off-limits to Jesus?  Why do you think you made it so?  What might you be afraid of?

Relief And Belief (Mk. 9:14-29)

Verse 24 -- I noticed the words"with tears" (MEV).  What Jesus said to the man (Mk. 9:23) got to him.  The man repented of his lack of faith and confessed that, though he believed now, there was an internal battle raging.  His heart and his head were at war.

Observations

1. Everyone needed something from Jesus.  The possessed man needed deliverance, the father of the possessed man needed belief, and the disciples of Jesus needed Him to finish what they couldn't.
2. The need for belief superseded the need for relief.  Repentance was a higher priority than having changed circumstances.

Questions

1. What is it that I need from Jesus?
2. Is my "belief" conditional or absolute?  Is it professional or "real" and personal?  ("Professional belief" -- Now there is a subject to investigate!)
3. How disturbed am I by any lack of belief that surfaces in me?

God Cannot Forget (Gen. 8:1)

Gen. 8:1 opens with three words:  "God remembered Noah."

God cannot lie.  Check.  God cannot change.  Check.  God cannot be number two.  Check.  God cannot deny Himself.  Check.  Let's add one more "limitation."  God cannot forget you!  

God has perfect knowledge:  He knows your name; He knows the situation you're in and how you got there.  He also knows the way out, His provision. 

Today and forever God remembers you.  Take courage.  The One who brought you in will bring you through and bring you out.

Enoch and Noah (Gen. 5:21-24; 6:9-10)

• Both men "walked with God."  Each had deep awe, respect and worship before God.  Each pleased God and found favor.  Each had relationship with Him.
• Though both were favored, there were different outcomes.  Enoch's walking with God led to removal, a divinely-caused disappearance or extraction.  Noah's walking with God led to a going through.
• There are two ways God delivers.  (1) He keeps you from.  (2)  He brings you through.  Either way, He remains faithful and true.  God always delivers the righteous!