Luke and the Lost

All the talk and yammer is about rioting people, the son who was slapped around by a mom, embarrassed by HER son being a part of it all, right here in our own country. She probably knew and was angered that he allowed himself to be swept up in the moment of the riot by following clueless friends into a war of destruction. No matter what the issue, to destroy your “own backyard” and the people living there seems fruitless. Always.

Who are they really fighting? Mm. We come to the passage in Luke where Jesus is accused of magic over ministry. The “church” was sticking the proverbial knife in his back because he was successful in bringing people back to the God they lost somehow along the way. Whose side are you on?, says Jesus. “There is no neutral ground.” AND that’s not all…read slowly and thoroughly with intentions of listening to God speak volumes back to you. I’ve read it. I’m still thinking and listening. What I do know is that I have chosen which side I’m on. And I won’t go back.

Luke 11, The Message
No Neutral Ground
14-16 Jesus delivered a man from a demon that had kept him speechless. The demon gone, the man started talking a blue streak, taking the crowd by complete surprise. But some from the crowd were cynical. “Black magic,” they said. “Some devil trick he’s pulled from his sleeve.” Others were skeptical, waiting around for him to prove himself with a spectacular miracle.

17-20 Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Any country in civil war for very long is wasted. A constantly squabbling family falls to pieces. If Satan cancels Satan, is there any Satan left? You accuse me of ganging up with the Devil, the prince of demons, to cast out demons, but if you’re slinging devil mud at me, calling me a devil who kicks out devils, doesn’t the same mud stick to your own exorcists? But if it’s God’s finger I’m pointing that sends the demons on their way, then God’s kingdom is here for sure.

21-22 “When a strong man, armed to the teeth, stands guard in his front yard, his property is safe and sound. But what if a stronger man comes along with superior weapons? Then he’s beaten at his own game, the arsenal that gave him such confidence hauled off, and his precious possessions plundered.

23 “This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse.

24-26 “When a corrupting spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul it can bedevil. When it doesn’t find anyone, it says, ‘I’ll go back to my old haunt.’ On return, it finds the person swept and dusted, but vacant. It then runs out and rounds up seven other spirits dirtier than itself and they all move in, whooping it up. That person ends up far worse than if he’d never gotten cleaned up in the first place.”

27 While he was saying these things, some woman lifted her voice above the murmur of the crowd: “Blessed the womb that carried you, and the breasts at which you nursed!”

28 Jesus commented, “Even more blessed are those who hear God’s Word and guard it with their lives!”

No matter what, in life or death situations, listen, follow and obey God’s Word intentionally and explicitly, because of His overwhelming love for us and us FOR Him!

Dear Heavenly Father, Your word is so timely, so instructing, such infallible Truth in times like these. We take You at Your Word for You have never failed us. We don’t always understand how You work but we know without doubt that You are always at work for our best. Oh, how patient You are with us. Continue to be with us, speak to our hearts, be our strength, wisdom, insight and understanding. In Jesus Name, Amen…I believe!