Tell them what great things the Lord has done for you.
Mark 5:19
RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING MARK 5:15-43 “15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.”
COMMENTS: This summer has been busy, working long and hard mowing our local cemetery. It covers 8 acres. A summer of frequent rainfall has stimulated grass to grow so fast, requiring mowing twice a week in rear half but only able to mow once a week. Trimming around tombstones also has been falling behind but help is on the way. However, yesterday was an especially beautiful day as I was mowing and took notice of names on many of those tombstones I mowed around. Many I knew but discovered most didn’t live as long a life as I have already lived, especially those who died over 100 years ago. I reflect on those who died in wars at young ages and those who died near the time when I was born. I also reflected on the lives of those who I knew well and impact knowing them had on me. Some graves were well cared for with fresh flowers showing loving care of relatives. Others show neglect with weeds overtaking faded plastic flowers placed on grave some time ago. Most have no flowers and even though are the easiest to trim around, only reflect a story written in my memory or written on stone of a life lived long ago. But there are many graves with flags reflecting military service given. Fresh flags are place each year prior to annual Memorial Day celebration in May to honor American Veterans. But many of those flags by now are starting to show their ago and either needing straightened or replaced. Some tombstones are huge and magnificent while others are small and simple and even just metal plaques driven into the ground. Yet everyone whose body lies beneath the surface went on without the wealth or poverty they possessed while on earth. They only took with them their deeds and relationship with Christ. They left their possessions all behind.
My own father mowing this same cemetery for 15 years after he retired. I would help him often after work and would kid him how all these people, many he knew, were just laying around watching him work and none would offer to help. We would both chuckle at that thought, but that memory comes back especially as I mow around my own parent’s grave stone and my sister’s grave stone. They too are in heaven waiting for me and my family too.
As I reflect on the above scripture from Mark and how Jesus healed the woman and raised Jairus’s daughter and demonic man as well as raising of Lazarus. As I reflect on the parable Jesus shared on Lazarus and the rich man, as I think about all those grave I mowed around recently, I am reminded just how precious and brief life is. I am also reminded that He is still on His Throne and in control and my relationship with Him is what matters most and will be most important to me when I joint them. What will also matter will be those I know and love who will joint me.
Sounds depressing to make such reflections but does fill my heart with hope knowing the grave is not the end but the beginning and Christ gives us a sure path to and describes for us the eternal home He is preparing for us. We only need to accept and take that path. Those who have sufficient wealth to purchase a great tombstone are not better able nor have any more opportunity to receive than those who only can afford a simple metal marker on their grave. All are equal in His eyes and equally loved by Him but equally in need of His redemptive sacrifice for their sins and redemption.
But today is a fresh new day with new opportunities and work to be done and people to interact with. I pray I will be faithful to His plan and opportunities. I pray you will too. Success one day will not be judged by status or wealth or looks or possessions since all will be left behind. Success will be judged only by Christ and how we responded to Him. AMEN? AMEN!
“If being conventional doesn’t succeed, try being original!” Greg Laurie
If you wish, you can access my blog at “https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com“. There you will find 253 blog posts I have made plus a link to my devotional journal material archives from 2013 to present. You may also access my Facebook page and request to be my friend and automatically receive my daily journal publications daily. My Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/Dondevotionals/ Many thanks to a pastor and dear brother in Christ in Nepal who set up the above Facebook page to help and encourage and give opportunity for more to explore and use my devotional blog materials.
My hope and prayer are, my blog and devotional materials will become a source of encouragement and tools in ministry for you.
donsdevotions 