Writing with faith, hope, and love
Express your letters to the Editor

Editors note: This is part of the devotional I had with the Lord this morning of June 23, 05 that I wanted to share with you all! If these can be used as Bible study guides, feel free to us them.

Quiet Times (Psalm 23, Proverbs 23, and Mark 5:11-17)

^"A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned." (Mark 5:11-13, NIV)

^"Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region." (Mark 5:14-17, NIV)

Observations:

I asked myself what happened after the demons went into the pigs and the pigs rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town.
Those tending the pigs later reported this in the countryside.
The people of the town and countryside went out to see what happened.
The people of the town came to Jesus.
The people of the town saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, dressed and in his right mind.
The people of the region were afraid.
The people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

Observation/Interpretation:

I asked myself why those tending the pigs ran off.

They wanted everyone in town and the countryside to see what Jesus did to their herd. They were so concerned about what happened to their herd. This will be evident later.

I asked myself what is the cause-effect relationship here.

Because those tending the pigs ran off and reported what had happened, the effect was four fold:

1. Bringing the people of the town to come and see Jesus!

2. Bringing the people of the town to come see the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, dressed, and in his right mind.

3. The people of the region were afraid.

4. The people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

I decided to focus on the first effect today:
Bringing people of the town to come and see Jesus.

I asked myself why it is so significant.

Jesus’ actions had ripple effects that went beyond the tombs and the area. His actions of healing the demon-possessed man and sending the demons into the pigs causing the pigs to drown sent those attending the pigs on a reporting mission. The result was people curious enough to come and see the outcome. Reporting of the incident spread throughout the town and the countryside bringing people to where Jesus was. The people who had witnessed the healing experienced life and death at the same time! They experienced the man given new life and the pigs with the demons die.

Implications:

I saw important implications for my own life. What I do that is witnessed by people will eventually be reported whether it is good or bad. Human tendency is to report things they see around them to others. It can be an awesome opportunity for witnessing and making others want to come and have an encounter with Jesus. Also, any report could also come of negatively on us even though what we do is right. That should not stop us.

I recall an incident where I wrote about the wrongness of homosexuality and how Christ’s love can cure it. It was reported all across the campus and I broke the record for the number of letters to the editor for my article. Anti-Ramesh columns in the school paper popped up too. That can happen when we take a stand but it should not stop us when we are proclaiming what is in the Word of God.

I ask you now dear friend, what do people report about you?

Dear friend, everyone is reported on whether they like it or not. The report is either positive or negative. Knowing everything is reported at one time or another, you can take the opportunity to become a witness for Jesus Christ. As you speak for Him, He will take care of the rest. Billy Graham speaks eloquently about the saving power and Gospel of Jesus Christ. His preaching is reported throughout the world and people go to see him for what he does. In the process, thousands come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Personal Savior. You have an opportunity to be a witness where you are by your lifestyle! The other alternative is a negative one. If our lifestyle is not in accordance with the Bible, the report people do about us will be detrimental not only for us but those around us. Remember every person offers report today! The question is whether you will let it be a good report or a bad report. Even if it is a bad report but what you have done honors and glorifies the Lord, you have done your part!

May you allow the Lord to work in you so that what people report about you will be glorifying to the Kingdom of God!

“Remember Every Person Offers Report Today!” (R.E.P.O.R.T)/”What do people report about you?”

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, we know after you healed the demon-possessed man, the people who were tending their pigs went to report on what you did as they went to the towns and countryside. This made the people come see you but also the man you healed. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for your awesome love and kindness. Help us be conscious of what we do and become a witness for you. Thank you so much Jesus. Help people see they are never out of your love and never out of your reach. Help us to make that clear to people. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for dying for our sin and coming back to life to save us. We are so sorry for our sin and when we give you a bad report by our actions. Cleanse us with your cleansing blood and we will be clean again. Wash us and we will be whiter than snow. Please come into our heart and make our heart your home. Thank you for the opportunities you provide for us. I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you for being our Lord and Personal Savior! Thank you that you have heard our prayer and answered us! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

P.S.. If you need someone to talk to, pray with, or have a Bible, you can email me at reddy4HisGlory2004@yahoo.com and we can set up a time that is convenient for you! You can also call me at 412-720-4579