Deviled Ham
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
I borrowed the devotion’s catchy title from Ministry-to-children.com. Last week’s children’s lesson was found in Luke 8:26-39. The disciples were with Jesus and they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes. When they stepped on shore, Jesus was met by a man. This man, “had devils” for a long time, he was naked and lived “in the tombs”. As far as the town people were concerned, he was crazy. The Bible tells us in Luke 8:29, he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.
Talking to kids about demons can be challenging. Yes, the very mention of the word demons can be frightening. However, I have found that kids are somewhat desensitized to the word. There are so many scary shows on TV that some of the children have become used to the “scary” part of the show. My mother-in-law has always said, “if you give the devil an inch, he will take a mile”. When we open the doors or windows of our home (the television shows), we are opening the door to desensitization and complacency. I believe desensitization and complacency are more dangerous than fear. Jesus has power over evil. Jesus is bigger than all of our fears. Jesus protects us and transforms us. “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Isaiah 35:4
When we are desensitized or complacent, we take Jesus out of the equation. We aren’t calling on Him for help because we don’t even realize we are in trouble. Demons are Satan’s helpers and enemies of God. But guess what? They are scared of Jesus. The demons in the man from Gadarenes were many but they recognized Jesus. They knew His power and they didn’t want to be destroyed.
A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. Luke 8:32-33
Who is crazy now? The pigs! The men who were feeding the pigs witnessed what had happened. They ran to town to spread the news. They were telling everyone that the man that was possessed was healed. When the crowds returned, they became witnesses to the transforming power of Jesus Christ!
When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind. Luke 8:35
Jesus has power over all things. Don’t become complacent or desensitized. Ask God to show you what needs to removed from your life. Let him make “deviled ham” out of your fears today.
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1
Pastor Julia Scott