When A Demon Came to Church and Jesus Made Him Leave

I think about the Gadarene demoniac a lot. You probably remember him. He was the man who was so controlled by demons that he lived, naked, in the tombs of the Gadarenes. He was violent and uncontrollable. 

One day, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee to set him free. 

I remembered him when I shared lunch and RC Cola with the man in the tombs outside the Eastern Gate in Jerusalem. Demoniacs have been in and out of my thoughts ever since.

The demon-possessed man I'm writing about today was shouting in the synagogue. Needless to say, all that yelling was disruptive. People were probably aggravated and afraid. It was hard to worship with all the demon-shouting.

 Jesus was there to share the greatest news in the world, and Demon-Man's noise had likely shut Him down completely. 

He didn't offer sympathy to the distressed man, nor warmer clothes, nor a hot meal. The man's greatest need at that moment was to be rid of the demon. He needed a Savior, and no doubt about it, but this man could not serve both God and the demon. One of them would have to go. 

Jesus spoke directly to the demon. "Be quiet and get out!" He commanded. 

We don't know how long this man had been possessed by the demon, how it came about, nor whether he wanted to be free. What we do know is that it was only in the presence of Jesus that he found freedom. 

Jesus came to set the captives free, and the demon-possessed are not the only ones who need to be set free. All of us have been in bondage, to some degree, because of our propensity to sin. 

Freedom and relationship with Christ is only possible when we do as Jesus did. Speak "Be quiet and get out!" to those things that occupy the position Christ should have. We cannot serve both Jesus and the sin to which we cling.  

It's a hard task to stop doing, thinking, saying something that does not please Jesus, but, just as in the Capernaum synagogue, He stands ready to help. Take a few minutes today to allow Christ to examine your heart and reveal to you the major deterrent to your relationship with Him. Once identified, speak the words Jesus spoke, "Get out!", and allow the sweet Spirit of God to fill the void left behind. 

Pray today that our loved ones would be so tired of their sin and lostness that they would be willing to embrace change. Pray, too, that they would be drawn to the presence of Christ and allow Him to set them free. 

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "be quiet and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, without doing any harm. (Luke 4:35 NASB)
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How to React When a Leader Falls

When a leader falls...not if. 

In our society, we're a little short on heroes...

Merriam Webster's online dictionary defines "hero" as:

"a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability" (1)
I hope you caught those first few words..."mythological...legendary." The implication is that we admire the person for their accomplishments, a legend of even more greatness begins to develop, and our expectations rise. 
Failure in a hero is not one of the options for which we prepare ourselves. Mankind's propensity for sin isn't factored into the equation at all.
Here's a bit of truth we need to remember: The marketplace of public opinion is a difficult place to reside. 
Even favorable coverage can be hard to survive when you're constantly under the microscope of media attention. It can be almost impossible to go to the grocery store or out to eat without being recognized, noticed, and approached. 
Children cringe and spouses struggle because of the constant adoration toward their family member. Normal interactions are strained because the "hero" has to be on his/her best behavior all the time. Everyone in the family does, too. If not, a bystander will post a photo or a video on social media. If it's damaging, it will spread like wildfire. I would think the desire to "hide" is pretty common. 
I'm not condoning misconduct or moral failure. I'm calling it sin, and sin, first and foremost, is an issue between God and the sinner. 
Our insatiable hunger to expose the deepest, darkest secrets drives the 24-hour news coverage. We delight in moral failure as "news" rather than as cause for great sorrow. The one who has sinned barely has time to repent before the world knows the one thing they wished they hadn't done.
People fail. That's a fact. Moral failure began with Adam and Eve and it continues today. I'm not in favor of failure, but I'm not surprised by it, either.
The example that comes to mind is the Apostle Peter. He was in the inner circle with Jesus, and in the spotlight all the time. He helped hand out miracle bread to the multitudes. I imagine people in Capernaum had mixed opinions about him because he "left everything to follow Jesus," but he definitely had his admirers. 
Jesus warned him that an opportunity to fail was imminent. Peter failed to heed the warning, just like most of us would do. He didn't believe he would do the one thing Jesus warned him against, so he didn't protect himself. Then, he failed and everyone knew.
His shame took him right back to the boat from which Jesus had called him, and he stayed there until Jesus called him again. 
Let's take a moment to see how Peter's denial began:
"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat..." Luke 22:31 nasb
Here's the Leanna paraphrase:
God: Here you are again, you old devil. What are you up to this time?Satan: Have you noticed Simon Peter? He looks good, but he couldn't withstand a hard wind. I can make him fall. You just watch and see.God: He's one of my favorites. Leave him alone.Satan: Let me have a go at him. I'll show you a rock. I'm gonna rock his world.God: He does have a problem with pride, and it needs to go. You have my permission to test him, but don't kill him. I have plans for Peter.Satan: Stand by and watch.
Satan demanded an opportunity to try to make Peter fall.Pride made him vulnerable. Jesus warned him of it. Peter (full of pride) disregarded the warning. When the temptation came, he fell into it completely.
That's how it happens. The temptations that come our way are designed specifically for us. The enemy of our soul watches for an opportunity and takes it. The temptation is designed and offered. We have the chance to resist or embrace it. 
Only the most cautious resist, and it's harder than we may think.
One missed quiet time can put us in a vulnerable spiritual position. One tiny compromise can lead to another...and another...until we've done the unthinkable.
What's so sad about Simon Peter's failure is that he not only returned to the boat, he took his buddies along with him. Only Jesus could bring them all back.
So... what should we do when a leader falls?
1) Examine ourselves for hidden sin and repent. 2) Leave our stones on the ground unless we are completely sinless. If we've done #1, we will know we aren't. (John 8:7)3) Pray for the one who has failed. (1 Samuel 12:23) 4) Grieve the sin, but keep our mouths shut unless we have something beneficial to say. (Ephesians 4:29) 5) Trust that God can, and will, address the sin. (James 3:1)
When a leader fails publicly, they put themselves in a terrible position. The warnings in Scripture about the responsibility of a leader are terrifying. James makes it perfectly clear. Leaders will be judged more strictly. That judgment will come from Jesus Himself. Unless we are the one directly responsible for consequences, we are to pray and guard our own hearts.
Peter makes it clear that God's desire is for all to come to repentance, including fallen leaders, and that should be our desire, too. 
If we don't grieve the moral failure of even the most godly of leaders, we should. Making judgments helps no one. Let's examine our own lives and pray to God that we don't make a costly mistake of our own.  
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others us according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29
P.S.: While you're praying for yourself, please pray for me, too. I'm as capable as Simon Peter of falling into temptation, and I don't want to do it. Only the grace of God can keep me on the straight and narrow path. Pray I stay there. Pray for all the other leaders you know, too. 

(1)https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hero. Accessed 7/21/17
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Caregiver Chronicles: Leaving the Help Behind and Stumbling Your Way Through

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

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#moralterpitude 

Caregiver Chronicles: Leaving the Help Behind and Stumbling Your Way Through

Sam has balance issues that result in falling issues. His "regular" walker helped, but he had to pick it up with every step. He's not as strong as he used to be, so it wouldn't take long before he was worn out. He couldn't go far.

The rolling walker that hospice brought changed everything. It wasn't as tiring  because he didn't have to lift it, but he could lean against it to steady himself when he felt weak. He stopped falling. He started walking a little more.

The new device was a great help. The problem was that Sam couldn't always remember the walker.

One day, I came home to find Sam's car gone and the walker still standing in the driveway. He'd rolled out to the car, climbed in, and left the walker behind. 

I headed to my house to find him. As expected, he had just finished feeding the horses. He staggered a bit and I reached to steady him.

"Where's your walker, Sam?"

He stared at me like with a blank expression. "Walker?"

"You know. The one with wheels on it. It looks like you need it."

Sam leaned back against my car and looked around him. "Walker. Hmm. I don't know."

"You left it in the driveway when you got in your car."

"Well. No wonder I'm staggering around, then."

The walker was a wonderful help, but only when Sam remembered to take advantage of the stability it offered.

I do that sometimes. Maybe you do, too. In the midst of a busy day, a difficult situation, an agonizing decision, it's easy to depend on our own strength. When we do, we end up as wobbly, spiritually speaking, as Sam.

It's all too easy to forget that we don't have to depend on ourselves. Our God never leaves us nor forsakes us. (Deut. 31:6) He is a very present help in time of trouble. (Psalm 46:1) He stands ready to offer wisdom, if we will only ask to receive it. (James 1:5)

When I took Sam somewhere that required a lot of walking, he was quick to remember the walker. Around the house, a few steps at a time, he was more likely to forget it.

In the biggest trials of life, it's easier to depend on God. When we know we can't handle it, we want the One who can.

In the everyday routine, though, it's easy to think, "I've got this..." We don't, not really. 

What if we asked for God's guidance, His strength, His power in every decision, every situation? What if we relied on God's stability instead of our own?

Today, let's stop in our busyness long enough to ask God to direct us, help us, lead us in whatever we face.   Let's rely on His wisdom and not our own and depend on the stability only He can give.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1 kjv

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If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

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Getting Your Heart Ready to Name it and Claim it When You Pray

I'm speaking for the women's group at West Jackson Street Baptist Church on Sunday night. My topic is prayer and prayer journalling, so prayer's been on my mind more than ever.

I came across the issue of prosperity gospel again yesterday. You probably know that bit of false theology. It's the "name-it-and-claim-it" idea that you need only decide what you want, place your order with God, and receive it. 

Friends, God is not a divine genie in the sky whose sole purpose is to deliver magic presents to us.

The prosperity gospel idea is based on a verse in Mark. "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted to you." Mark 11:24 nasb

It does, indeed, say that we will receive that for which we ask if we believe God will give it. What we often miss, however, is the THEREFORE at the beginning of Jesus' sentence.

To put the discussion into context, we need to look at the day before. Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, and headed to the temple. He looked around at the vendors, the money changers, the people carrying animals through the temple. He could've intervened right then, but He held his tongue and waited for a more opportune time. 

Jesus and His disciples spent the night in Bethany, then headed back to Jerusalem. He was hungry, so he stopped at a green, leafy fig tree on the way. It wasn't the "season" of figs, which may mean that it wasn't time for the figs to be ripe. Judging by my own fig tree, when the tree has leaves, it begins to form figs, but the process of ripening takes weeks. 

Jesus searched for figs in vain and, finding the tree fruitless, He cursed it and it withered.

Jesus proceeded to the temple and cleansed it by chasing out those people treating it like an unholy market. They were buying, selling, and extorting pilgrims who had come to worship.

Jesus addressed the issues of fruitlessness (the fig tree), sin (den of thieves), and priority (money over worship) before the conversation about answered prayer ever took place. The "therefore" follows those important points.

If we want answered prayer, we must first cleanse the temple, which now resides in our hearts. Sin must go. Priorities must change. Fruitlessness must stop. 

When our hearts are a fit home for the Spirit of God, then we can begin to expect answers to our prayers.

Friends, it's not enough to have "good" priorities based on the world's standards. Our priorities must be aligned with those of Jesus (from Luke 4):

preach the gospel to the poor

proclaim release to the captives

proclaim recovery of sight to the blind

set free those who are downtrodden

proclaim the favorable year of the Lord

If His priorities are our priorities, and they should be, our "name-it-and-claim-it" prayers won't be focused on the things we want. They'll be centered on sharing the gospel with those who need Him most, on releasing captives to sin, recovery of spiritual sight for those who are blind, freeing the downtrodden, and proclaiming the news of Christ. 

Jesus intended an entirely different kind of name-it-and-claim-it prayer. The Son of God, who left streets of gold, pearl gates, and jewel-encrusted walls walked dusty paths on earth by choice. He had no house, no car, no chariot, no horses, no "stuff". It wasn't because He couldn't have them. It was because He chose a simpler life. 

It's foolish to think the One who told us not to worry about what we'll eat or drink, but to trust God instead, would want us to have a life centered on things. 

If we're going to pray, let's pray big. If we're going to pray big, let's pray sensibly, asking God to impact the world in ways we could never do on our own.

I'm NOT saying don't ask for what we need. Scripture is clear that we are to ask for our daily bread, the basic food of life. Need, not want. Have I asked God for wants? Of course. 

When I needed to buy a car some years ago, I asked God to direct me to the right one. I asked that it would be priced within my price range and that I could drive it for 350,000 miles. Ten years later, I'm still driving that perfectly-priced car. I had some wants with the car, too, and I asked God for them, but I didn't "claim" them or demand my right to them.

When my son asks me for something, especially when he asks with "please" and humility, I want to give it to him. If he demanded it as his due because I'm his mother, I'd probably want to say no at the start. 

Can we pray with the expectation we will receive that for which we've asked? Yes. Can we ask for anything we want it and expect to receive it? No. The receiving depends on the asking, which must be lined up with the will of God. 

Today, let's take a few minutes to examine our hearts. Do we want what the world wants or what God wants? Let's repent of our sins, make any corrections that are needed in priorities, and prepare to pray by making our hearts fit temples for the One who promised to heart and answer us. 

When we're ready to start, don't just ask for more stuff. Ask for changed lives and a changed world. When we pray in that manner, God is sure to answer.

"Do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?...But seek first  His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:25,33 nasb

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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Silence the Noise to Hear the Still Small Voice

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

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Silencing the Noise to Hear the Still Small Voice

Nearly a year ago, Vivien Lee called to ask me about speaking at the women's retreat her group, Women of Destiny, was planning. I prayed about it and agreed to help. We soon began monthly meetings to plan, pray, and dream about the upcoming event.

It's almost here.

We've considered a plethora of options for activities, teaching, and hands-on experiences. The longer we've planned, the more we've been convicted that, if we truly want to hear the still small Voice, we'll have to make time to be still. 

Friday, we'll open registration at noon and continue until 5:30. (Eat lunch before you arrive) Dinner isn't until 6 pm, so we've allowed some "down time" for participants. We'll have a few optional activities, but we've purposely allowed a stretch of free hours. Walk. Read. Talk. Laugh. Spend time with friends. Pray.

We want to be still and know that He is God. 

The evening session starts at 7 pm. We'll have a special time of worship. Effective prayer begins by removing the barriers that separate us from close communion with God, so we'll spend a little time taking a careful look at our own hearts.

We'll let go of the things of the world to embrace the things of God. 

In between the worship, we have fun (and sometimes silly) activities planned. We hope you'll laugh, cry, and rejoice with us. 

Saturday, we'll have a morning devotion before breakfast, two short sessions, and lunch at noon.

I'd love to teach in great detail about prayer, but it won't be much of a prayer retreat if all we do is talk about prayer. Instead, we've made time for individual, directed, and corporate prayer. 

We hope you'll come with a friend or two, maybe as a small group from your church. If you do, we expect you'll have built-in prayer partners when you leave.  

We want you to take what you learn and use it when you go back home. 

Not everyone will arrive at noon on Friday. We realize that many people will come after work that day. Most of those who attend will spend less than 24 hours at the retreat. If it works like we've planned, you'll have a sweet time with our Lord and leave refreshed and ready to tackle the life God's given you. 

The dates are Sept 22-23 and the cost is $65 for the night's lodging and three meals at Crow's Neck (FCR) Christian Retreat Center. To register, call Vivian Lee at 662-523-6684 or Wendy Shumaker at 662-279-3692. Make checks payable to Women of Destiny and mail to P.O. Box 359, Dennis MS 38838

We're looking forward to seeing you at Crow's Neck Sept. 22-23. Please share with your church and invite your friends to come along.

If you're interested, we have several opportunities to serve. There are a few "administrative" type tasks for which we would love some help. We'll be collecting items for personal care packs for the homeless. (list below). We also have a painted rock activity planned, so we'd be grateful if your group would like to paint and donate rocks to the project. (Contact me for more info.)

Suggested items for personal care packs include: 

1. hotel-sized soap
2. hotel-sized shampoo
3. tooth brush
4. small tube of tooth paste
5. small pack of band-aids
6. comb
7. “hot hands” packets of hand warmers during cold weather
8. knit gloves that stretch to fit all sizes during cold weather
9. knit caps
10. deodorant
11. potted meat, etc. if you can find some with pull tab openings
12. crackers (small packs)
13. any snack they can just open and have on hand (protein bars, etc)
14. socks (clean socks are a big need)
15. bug-off-wipes
16. feminine hygiene products 

Sign-up has just begun and we're so encouraged by the number of women who've registered already. There's a new Facebook event page and I'm gradually sending invites and adding names. If you want to be added, comment or message me. 

Our focus verse is 1 Kings 19:12. Elijah heard God's voice in the gentle whisper. We hope you will, too.


"And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper..." 1 Kings 19:12

Silence the noise and hear the whisper...

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Please like and share if this blog post has touched your heart. It extends our digital reach in significant ways. Thank you.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Freedom Option We Should Never Refuse

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line

#prayerretreat 

The Freedom Option We Should Never Refuse

"You scare me, Leanna," one of my coworkers told me. I had just returned from rambling through the Old City of Jerusalem alone. I'd visited with local people along the way. My interactions had ended with an impromptu picnic shared with a Palestinian Muslim stranger at the foot of the Eastern Gate. 

It had been a fun day. I'd wandered at my own pace, stopped when I was tired, walked where I wanted to go. For only one moment of the entire day had I felt the least bit threatened. I walked away from the perceived threat and was fine. I was never frightened or uncertain or lost. Instead, it had been a holy communion with my Lord in the city that occupies so much of His heart.

I wouldn't call myself completely fearless, but I'm not often afraid.

Over the weekend, I worked on an upcoming presentation about prayer and journaling. I pulled all my old journals and scanned through them. One in particular, from more than twenty years ago, caught my eye. I'd journaled about my struggle with fear and listed all the things about which I was afraid. "Free my from my fear," I'd written in my prayer.

And He did.

I don't remember a moment when I was abruptly delivered. Somehow, one step of faith at a time, God gradually delivered me from all my fears and moved me to a firm place of trust and obedience.

He set me free and my fear is gone.

I'm not saying I'll never be afraid again, but fear's hold on me has been broken. I'm free to follow anywhere God leads now. 

The fear-freeing happened so gradually and so completely that I no longer remember being afraid. My writings leave no doubt, though. I was afraid, but now I'm not.

For the disciple of Christ, the bondage of sin is optional. We have a choice. Continue to allow sin a stronghold or allow God to break our chains. It's up to us.

No matter what sin besets us, we have an option for freedom. We can take it to the Lord and ask Him to set us free. It may not happen instantly, but freedom is His desire for us. His word promises freedom and we serve a God who always keeps His promises. 

Today, let's cry out to the Lord about our sin and invite Him to do what only He can do. Answer our cry and break our chains.

"I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4 esv

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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: When You Get What You Thought You Wanted and It Wasn't

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

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#freedom

When You Get What You Thought You Wanted and It Wasn't

"I want what I want." 

We may not say those words, but we feel that way all too often. In our affluent, entitled culture, wanting something usually means getting it. The problem comes when the getting doesn't work out like we expected. I've experienced the disappointment of an answered prayer, a dream obtained, more than once. 

It taught me to pray the prayer that never fails. "Thy will be done."

I wonder if it was this kind of getting-what-he-thought-he wanted-and-finding-out-it-wasn't that helped Peter walk away from the fishing boats. 

You probably remember this story. Jesus was preaching by the Sea of Galilee. The crowds were about to press Him into the water, so he commandeered Simon Peter's fishing boat. When He finished speaking, Jesus paid the boat rental by giving what every fisherman dreams of having: the catch of a lifetime.

The nets scooped up so many fish, the load nearly sank Simon Peter's boat. His partners in the second boat came alongside to help carry the catch, and their boat was nearly sunk, too. 

When Peter realized he had a catch like no other, he recognized Jesus for who He was and fell at His feet. "Depart from me. I'm a sinner, Lord," he  told Jesus. 

Everyone was astounded by the catch, but, according to Luke 5, Peter was the only one face-down on the deck. 

Jesus' response always surprises me. (Leanna Paraphrase coming up.) "Don't be afraid, Peter. You won't ever be able to top this catch, but you won't have to. From now on, you'll be fishing for men." 

Peter left the boats that day. He only went back once. Both times, Jesus called him to something more, because the catch of a lifetime was not as fulfilling, nor as exciting as what Jesus had planned. It was a hard plan, filled with sacrifice and suffering, but it was worth it.

His plan for us is worth it, too. When Scripture tells us God will give us the desires of our heart, it doesn't mean He will give us everything we want. I believe it means He will replace our tawdry dreams of overfilled nets and replace them with the dreams of changed hearts and restored lives. That's what He's done for me, and He can do that for all of us.

Today, let's do what Peter did in the face of answered prayers and dreams fulfilled. Face-down on the deck, He gave them all to Jesus and allowed Him to replace His net-dreams with God-dreams, God-desires. 

That surrender changed his life, and it'll change our lives, too. 

"Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 nasb
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Please like and share if this blog post has touched your heart. It extends our digital reach in significant ways. Thank you.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Why Pruning Sooner is Always Better

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line