Good Friday Morning.  Here’s Today’s Nugget to chew on:

“You’re A Change Agent”

Matthew 8:18, 23-26, 28-32 The Passion Translation (TPT)

18 At the sight of large crowds gathering around him, Jesus gave orders to his disciples to get ready to sail back over to the other side of the lake.  23 They all got into a boat and began to cross over to the other side of the lake. And Jesus, exhausted, fell asleep. 24 Suddenly a violent storm developed, with waves so high the boat was about to be swamped. Yet Jesus continued to sleep soundly. 25 The disciples woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We’re going to die!”

26 But Jesus reprimanded them. “Why are you gripped with fear? Where is your faith?” Then he stood up and rebuked the storm and said, “Be still!” And instantly it became perfectly calm.  28 When they arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two demonized men confronted Jesus. They lived among the tombs of a cemetery and were considered so extremely violent that no one felt safe passing through that area. 29 The demons screamed at Jesus, shouting, “Son of God, what do you want with us? Leave us alone! Have you come to torment us before the appointed time?”

30 There was a large herd of pigs feeding nearby, 31 so the demons pleaded, “If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs.” 32 Jesus commanded, “Then go!” And at once the demons came out of the men and went into the pigs. Then the entire herd of crazed pigs stampeded down the steep slope and fell into the water and drowned.

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Further Thought:  When God tells us it’s time for a change, it’s time to move in a different direction, to go to another level, the enemy [your adversary the devil] is also aware.  So, think it not strange when he begins to throw arrows to distract and to cause fear to enter in to prevent us from stepping out.  In today’s passage, this was represented by the storm, which occurred after Jesus gave instructions to go to the other side of the lake.  If the enemy had his way, he would have wiped out Jesus and all the disciples at that moment, but he could not.  When we receive God’s guidance, we can rest as Jesus did during the storm with confidence and remain undisturbed, no matter what may come our way.

Did you notice in today’s passage that the enemy not only knew what the mission was [to break his power over that region and to set two men free] but that he could no longer remain in that region once the power of God was on the scene?  You see, when God sends us to a new assignment or guides us to do something outside our comfort zone, the enemy also knows.  So, don’t be deterred when you encounter a little light resistance.  Remember, you are a change agent for the Kingdom of God. So, wherever God has you now or is leading you to, He’s expecting you to bring about change, not for things to stay the same.  Recognize if it’s happening on the earth, then it’s our responsibility as managers of the earth to ensure it agrees with Heaven.  Remember, Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:10: “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”

Have a great day, and keep chewing on God’s Word.

Additional references: 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 12:2

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“2025 Stop & Listen”

Today’s Recommended Reading John 13