Crazy But Not Stupid!

From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

“And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: … But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, … sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: … And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.” (Read Mk. 5:1-20)

The maniac running amongst the tombs was beyond all doubt crazy; but there are five factors that prove that, although crazy, he was not stupid. The word “stupid” has been defined as having, or showing, a lack of intelligence, discernment, insight, or natural common sense. Indeed, on the contrary, this demonically possessed man was in the bondage of hell’s madness, but the power of God transcended the hounds of hell and went to the very spirit of the man giving witness of eternal truths that even the prince of hell could not deny. Is not this crazy man in his lost state the mirror of every lost soul in the bondage of sin and influenced by the demons of hell? Notice these five proofs of the absence of spiritual stupidity in him.

1) He saw Jesus for who He really was. Verse 6: “But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,”

2) He saw himself for who he really was. Verse 7(a): “And cried with a loud voice, and said, What Have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God?”

3) He knew he deserved the wrath of God and the torments of hell. Verse 7(b): I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.”

4) He was by mercy, grace, and power freed from the bondage of condemnation and was found in his right mind. Verse 8: “For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.” Verse 15(b): He was found by the town’s people “…sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind:” at Jesus’ feet.

5) He wanted to be with Jesus and obeyed Jesus. Verse 18(b): “…prayed him that he might be with him.” Verse 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 the, and hath compassion on thee.” He went!

Morning and Evening

Charles H. Spurgeon

October 4, 2010

Morning Reading

At evening time it shall be light.--Zechariah 14:7

Oftentimes we look forward with forebodings to the time of old age, forgetful that at eventide it shall be light. To many saints, old age is the choicest season in their lives. A balmier air fans the mariner's cheek as he nears the shore of immortality, fewer waves ruffle his sea, quiet reigns, deep, still and solemn. From the altar of age the flashes of the fire of youth are gone, but the more real flame of earnest feeling remains. The pilgrims have reached the land Beulah, that happy country, whose days are as the days of heaven upon earth. Angels visit it, celestial gales blow over it, flowers of paradise grow in it, and the air is filled with seraphic music. Some dwell here for years, and others come to it but a few hours before their departure, but it is an Eden on earth. We may well long for the time when we shall recline in its shady groves and be satisfied with hope until the time of fruition comes. The setting sun seems larger than when aloft in the sky, and a splendour of glory tinges all the clouds which surround his going down. Pain breaks not the calm of the sweet twilight of age, for strength made perfect in weakness bears up with patience under it all. Ripe fruits of choice experience are gathered as the rare repast of life's evening, and the soul prepares itself for rest.

The Lord's people shall also enjoy light in the hour of death. Unbelief laments; the shadows fall, the night is coming, existence is ending. Ah no, crieth faith, the night is far spent, the true day is at hand. Light is come, the light of immortality, the light of a Father's countenance. Gather up thy feet in the bed, see the waiting bands of spirits! Angels waft thee away. Farewell, beloved one, thou art gone, thou wavest thine hand. Ah, now it is light. The pearly gates are open, the golden streets shine in the jasper light. We cover our eyes, but thou beholdest the unseen; adieu, brother, thou hast light at even-tide, such as we have not yet.

Evening Reading

If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.--1 John 2:1

"If any man sin, we have an advocate." Yes, though we sin, we have Him still. John does not say, "If any man sin he has forfeited his advocate," but "we have an advocate," sinners though we are. All the sin that a believer ever did, or can be allowed to commit, cannot destroy his interest in the Lord Jesus Christ, as his advocate. The name here given to our Lord is suggestive. "Jesus." Ah! then He is an advocate such as we need, for Jesus is the name of one whose business and delight it is to save. "They shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins." His sweetest name implies His success. Next, it is "Jesus Christ"--Christos, the anointed. This shows His authority to plead. The Christ has a right to plead, for He is the Father's own appointed advocate and elected priest. If He were of our choosing He might fail, but if God hath laid help upon one that is mighty, we may safely lay our trouble where God has laid His help. He is Christ, and therefore authorized; He is Christ, and therefore qualified, for the anointing has fully fitted Him for His work. He can plead so as to move the heart of God and prevail. What words of tenderness, what sentences of persuasion will the anointed use when He stands up to plead for me! One more letter of His name remains, "Jesus Christ the righteous." This is not only His character BUT His plea. It is His character, and if the Righteous One be my advocate, then my cause is good, or He would not have espoused it. It is His plea, for He meets the charge of unrighteousness against me by the plea that He is righteous. He declares Himself my substitute and puts His obedience to my account. My soul, thou hast a friend well fitted to be thine advocate, He cannot but succeed; leave thyself entirely in His hands.

Justification in the Name of Jesus and by the Spirit of our God

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

October 4, 2010

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

Our lives prior to our personal redemption consisted of various backgrounds--some of which were very carnal (see the list in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Yet as Christians, those are now things of the past and should no longer control us. We have been washed! When we became Christians, we were cleansed of our sins. Sanctification is the process of setting us apart for God and growing in righteousness. Lastly, we were justified because of Christ's work and atonement. Our destination is not eternal bondage of sin and grief, but by the grace of God, we have a heavenly destination! A place of eternal joy and everlasting peace!

More on Contrasting Results for Self-Exaltation and Humility

Day By Day By Grace
Bob Hoekstra
October 4, 2010

And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner!"…everyone who exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:13-14)

Our present meditation continues Jesus' parable that warns against self-righteousness and encourages lowliness of mind. In this teaching, the Lord declares contrasting results for self-exaltation and humility. "Everyone who exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." The contrasting examples in the parable are the prayers of a vainglorious religious leader and a contrite publican.

The Pharisee's prayer was addressed to himself and was filled with glorying about himself. "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men…I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess'" (Luke 18:11-12). In stark contrast to this arrogant, feigned prayer, the tax collector would not so much as lift his countenance toward heaven. Instead, he pounded his guilt-ridden chest, humbly pleading for mercy.. "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God be merciful to me a sinner'!" His attitude was like that of David, who knew he could not withstand the righteous judgment of God. "Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no one living is righteous" (Psalm 143:2).

These two men (who both appeared to be praying to God) faced drastically differing results. "I tell you, this man [the humble publican] went down to his house justified rather than the other [the self-righteous religious leader]" (Luke 18:14a). The self-exalting Pharisee was abased. He was dishonored before God and confirmed in his guilty, unrepentant state. "Everyone who exalts himself will be abased." The humble tax collector was exalted. Through humble dependence, he was raised up to the blessed realm of justification. "To him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5). He was declared not guilty, forgiven, righteous in God's sight. "He who humbles himself will be exalted."

Lord God, I deserve to be abased for the times I have exalted myself in Your sight. I want to take my stand with this repentant tax collector. I want to humble myself before You, pleading Your mercy. I hope in You to lift me up to new realms of obedience, godly growth, and service, through Christ Jesus, my Lord, Amen.

Our clumsy hands!

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(J. R. Miller, "Miller's Year Book--a Year's Daily Readings")

"I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted!" Job 42:2

We cannot do what we desire to do. Many of our purposes are thwarted. We desire to do good and beautiful things, and we try--but our actual achievements fall far below our desires. Our clumsy hands cannot fashion the loveliness which our hearts dream of. Our faltering weakness cannot do the brave things our souls aspire to do. No artist ever paints on his canvas--all the beauty of his ideal. No singer ever expresses--all the music which burns within him as he sings. No eloquent orator ever utters--all that he feels as he pleads for truth or for justice.

So in all our life--we do only a little of what we strive to do. We set out in the morning with purposes of usefulness, of true living, of gentle-heartedness, of patience, of victoriousness; but in the evening we find only little fragments of these good intentions actually wrought out!

But God's plans and intentions are all carried out! No power can withstand Him--or frustrate His will. It was in this thought, that Job found peace in his long, sore trial: all things were in God's hands, and nothing could hinder His designs of love! Our God is infinitely strong. In all earthly confusions, strifes, and troubles--His hand moves, bringing good out of evil for those who trust in Him. He executes all His purposes of good. He is never hindered in blessing His children.

"I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted!" Job 42:2