SCRIPTURE:
^"A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned." (Mark 5:11-13, NIV)

^"Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region." (Mark 5:14-17, NIV)

Observations:
I asked myself what happened after the demons went into the pigs and the pigs rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned?

Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town.
Those tending the pigs later reported this in the countryside.
The people of the town and countryside went out to see what happened.
The people of the town came to Jesus.
The people of the town saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, dressed and in his right mind.
The people of the region were afraid.
The people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

Today, I decided to look at points 6 & 7!

Interpretation:
I asked myself why the people of the region were afraid and pleaded with Jesus to leave the region?
Jesus had just healed a demon-possessed man and sent the demons into the pigs. The pigs had drowned but the man was saved sitting with Jesus, dressed in his right mind in the presence of Jesus. This should not have made the people afraid but rejoice. I believe what was happening is that they were living their lifestyle contrary to the Word of God. First of all, Scripture was clear to the Jewish people not to eat pork and yet they were tending about 2000 pigs. I believe those pigs were for the people of the region to feast on. Jesus’ actions changed that.

It seems they were so materialistic in nature that they could not rejoice for the man who was healed. They could have wondered what would happen next if Jesus continued to be there! So, they did not want to have anything to do with Jesus even though He healed a man. Instead, they pleaded with Jesus to leave their region and became afraid of Jesus. This is sad when someone pleads for a righteous person to leave their region. This only happens when they are living in so much darkness that they are afraid of what the Light would expose.

Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life here. When we are afraid of Jesus, it is not because Jesus will do harm to us but because we are living a lifestyle contrary to the Word of God. The Light of Jesus exposes it in our lives. However, many times we want to continue to live in that path and do not want any interference. We act like, the last thing we want is the Creator telling the created how things should be done. So, we live our lives our own way fearing if we seek the Lord, He will make us do things we do not want to do.

I know because it happened to me in the past when I was afraid to seek Jesus because I felt if I sought Jesus then I would have to change my lifestyle. If I did not seek Jesus then I could live my own way. The problem was I was not happier living my own way instead I was leading a double life until I surrendered to Jesus Christ.

I ask you now dear friend, what makes you afraid of Jesus?
Dear friend, those who are afraid of Jesus are afraid not because He will strike them down. They are afraid because when their lifestyle is seen through the eyes of Jesus, they feel guilty and ashamed. They know what they are doing is wrong and the Light of Jesus exposes it. So, it is easier not to think about Jesus or even to acknowledge the existence of Jesus or His resurrection. This way that person can go on living their lifestyle how they want to. That is exactly what the enemy wants. Satan wants you to be afraid of Jesus so you do not come into His presence. This way, Satan can have a hold on you just as he did on the demon-possessed man. The man had to run to Jesus and fall before Him to be rescued and healed. The man was not afraid of Jesus even in his terrible condition. Surrender will not be easy but Lord will help you through it Friend.

Friend, through it all no matter what your life is looking like or what you have engaged in, you do not have to be afraid of Jesus. He loves you so much and died for your sin. If you were the only one living, Jesus would have still died for you because that is how much you mean to Jesus. It is not worth living a life apart from Jesus. For the time being the temporary pleasures may look great but in the long run it will only hurt us. The enemy will not tell you that though. Read John 15 for a detailed explanation.

Remember, whatever Jesus wants you to do and does not want you to do is for your own best interests. Do not be afraid of Jesus. Jesus wants to be there for you. People tell me if they become a Christian, they will miss out on this and that so they are afraid to come to Jesus. You know what, what you are missing is nothing compared to what Jesus wants to bless you with in this life and the life to come. All you are missing out right now are the dangerous of sinful living. You don't need that!

This however, does not mean a Christian’s life is peachy but he/she has the presence of Jesus with him/her to help him/her through. Do not tell Jesus to stay away from you please. People do that when they are afraid of someone or do not want to deal with them. The decision to seek Jesus and keep Him near will be the best decision you will make as you seek Jesus!

Now is the time of Salvation friend. Do not wait to come to Jesus some other time. If you do not know Him or if you want to rededicate your life to Him, you can do it right now. You do not have to wait. Yes, you may still have questions and doubts but Jesus will answer them in His wonderful timing. If we wait till we get all the answers that time may never come and it could be too late. Jesus healed the demon-possessed man and changed Him. He wants to change you too. You are never out of His love and never out of His reach. He loves you as you are and you can come to Him as you are, asking Him to work in you. May you take the words of this poem to heart and give your life to Jesus who wants to be your Lord and Personal Savior! Amen!

Love that broke the mask!
By Ramesh C. Reddy

When you are struggling with a sin?
When you cannot seem to win?
When the scars still hurt like mace?
When the tears run down your face?
When you are overwhelmed with pain?
When your life seems to be in vain?
When you can never do right?
When guilt eats you with a stinging bite?
When sorrows fill the day or night?
You can still win the fight!
With Jesus, your Bright Light!
It is never too late!
Upon Him you can wait!
Having trust and faith!
Though so much guilt you feel
Your sins and scars, Christ will heal!
He loves you more and more!
To Him, all your worries you can pour!
No matter where you have been
No matter what you have seen
Upon your Savior, you can lean
Come and find rest
From every test
In Him who knows you Best!

“Afraid? Forever Redeemer Always Is Delivering!” (A.F.R.A.I.D.)/”What makes you A.F.R.A.I.D of Jesus?"

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I have heard that I do not have to be afraid of you. Jesus, I have also heard that you love me and you can help me. Jesus, you know where I have been and what I have done and yet you love me. I am sorry when I have been afraid of you because of my own sin. You do not want me to be afraid of you. Thank you Jesus! You healed the demon-possessed man completely. Thank you Jesus! I am a sinner Lord. I confess to you all my sins. I am so sorry for my sins and ask you to please forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with your cleansing blood and I will be clean again. Wash me Jesus and I will be whiter than snow. Thank you so much Jesus. Please come into my heart and make my heart your home. Live in me please Jesus and help me to live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. Thank you Jesus for living in me and I will live for you Lord. Thank you Jesus I am never out of your love and never out of your reach. I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior. Please be my Lord and Personal Savior and change me. Thank you we can come to you without fear for you tell us “fear not for I am with you; do not be dismayed, I am your God, for I will uphold you with my victorious right Hand." Thank you Jesus! Thank you so much for being my Lord and Personal Savior! Thanks you have heard my prayers and answered me. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!

Spend time in His word and let the Lord speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of John! You can also check out the Gospel of Mark which are the devotionals I have been going through. Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a church fellowship and a college fellowship you can be part of where you can be part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in Bible Live Eternally!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-720-4579

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

Express Your View

.Click picture to read my dad's memoriam:

' I AM ' Series Archives:

What kind of L.I.G.H.T do you follow? (Dec 13, 07, 10:09 a.m.)

"What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat?" (Dec 08, 07, 10:10 a.m.)

"Who is your S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D?" (June 30, 06)

Gospel of Mark Archives:

Mark 1:1: "What does the G.O.S.P.E.L mean to you?" (Jan 15, 08, 1:15 p.m.)

Mark 1:1-4: "How seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophesy?" (Jan 12, 08, 11:18 p.m.)

Mark 1:5-8: "Who do you P.O.I.N.T to?" (Jan 16, 08, 8:48 a.m.)

Mark 1:9: How will you take a S.T.A.N.D? (Jan 17, 08, 11:21 a.m.)

Mark 1:9-11: "How is your loving P.R.A.I.S.E?" (Jan 18, 08, 8:53 a.m.)

Mark 1:12-13: "How do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N?" (Jan 19, 08, 12:27 p.m.)

Mark 1:14-15: How do you handle T.I.M.E given to you? (Jan 21, 08, 1:31 p.m.)

Mark 1:16-18: "What kind of P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N are you in?" (Jan 26, 08, 10:22 a.m.)

Mark 1:19-20: "Without having to P.R.O.C.R.A.S.T.I.N.A.T.E, what should you do?" (Jan 29, 08, 10:44 a.m.)

Mark 1:20-22: "How do you rate in the B.U.S.I.N.E.S.S of Jesus?" (Jan 30, 08, 11:29 a.m.)

Mark 1:20-22: "Whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you follow?" (Jan 31, 08, 11:52 a.m.)

Mark 1:23-28: "What C.A.P.T.I.V.I.T.Y are you facing today?" (Feb 01, 08, 10:35 a.m.)

Mark 4:3-20: "What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb 02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)

Mark 1:29-31: "Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (Feb 05, 08, 11:44 a.m.)

Mark 1:32-34: "Where do you need an A.N.S.W.E.R?" (Feb 06, 08, 11:16 a.m.)

Mark 1:35-39: "Where do you give your S.O.L.I.T.A.R.Y time to the Lord?" (Feb 07, 08, 11:41 a.m.)

Mark 1:40-42: "Where do you need to be C.L.E.A.N?" (Feb 09, 08, 11:00 a.m.)

Mark 1:43-45: "What do your actions C.A.U.S.E?" (Feb 11, 08, 9:23 a.m.)

MARK CHAPTER 2:

Mark 2:1-2: "What do you do with your P.O.P.U.L.A.R.I.T.Y?" (Feb 12, 08, 9:52 a.m.)

Mark 2:2-5: "What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D are you?" (Feb 13, 08, 11:49 a.m.)

Mark 2:5-12: "Where does P.A.R.A.L.Y.S.I.S take hold of you?" (Feb 15, 08, 7:42 a.m.)

Mark 2:5-12: "What are you thinking in your M.I.N.D?" (Feb 16, 08, 11:08 a.m.)

Mark 2:5-12: "What do you represent by your A.C.T.I.O.N.S?" (Feb 18, 08, 8:23 a.m.)

Mark 2:13-15: "Where are you looking for A.C.C.E.P.T.A.N.C.E?" (Feb 19, 08, 11:22 a.m.)

Mark 2:15-17: "Who do you I.N.V.I.T.E to Jesus?" (Feb 20, 08, 9:57 a.m.)

Mark 2:18-20: "When do you F.A.S.T?" (Feb 21, 08, 9:32 a.m.)

Mark 2:21-22: "How do you see your L.I.F.E?" (Feb 22, 08, 9:56 a.m.)

Mark 2:23-28: "What kind of L.E.A.D.E.R will you be? (Feb 23, 08, 10:46 a.m.)

Mark 2:23-28: "What does the S.A.B.B.A.T.H mean to you?" (Feb 25, 08, 10:46 a.m.)

CHAPTER 3:

Mark 3:1-6:"Whose N.E.E.D.S do you meet?" (Feb 26, 08, 9:54 a.m.)

Mark 3:7-8: "What is your I.M.P.A.C.T?" (Feb 27, 08, 8:17 a.m.)

Mark 3:9-11: "What S.P.A.C.E do you give yourself?" (Feb 28, 08, 9:38 a.m.)

Mark 3:11-12: "How do you fight E.V.I.L?" (Feb 29, 08, 9:11 a.m.)

Mark 3:13-16: "What emphasis do you put on your R.E.L.A.T.I.O.N.S.H.I.P with Jesus?" (March 01, 08, 9:29 a.m.)

Mark 3:17-19: "Where do you have your A.P.P.O.I.N.T.M.E.N.T in?" (March 03, 08, 9:49 a.m.)

Mark 3:20: "Where do you G.A.T.H.E.R?" (March 04, 08, 12:07 p.m.)

Mark 3:21: "How are your actions seen by your F.A.M.I.L.Y?" (March 05, 08, 10:24 a.m.)

Mark 3:22-27: "How do you handle S.L.A.N.D.E.R?" (March 06, 08, 7:57 a.m.)

Mark 3:28-30: "What is your V.I.E.W of Jesus?" (March 07, 08, 8:18 a.m.)

Mark 3:31-34: "What do you do with God's Will?" (March 08, 08, 8:45 a.m.)

CHAPTER 4:
Mark 4:1-20: "What do P.A.R.A.B.L.E.S mean to you?" (March 10, 08, 7:15 a.m.)

Mark 4:1-20: "What if Jesus talked F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L?" (Feb 02, 08, 10:35 a.m.)

Mark 4:1-20: "Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March 11, 08, 9:32 a.m.)

Audio: "Where are you in your W.A.L.K with the Lord?" (March 11, 08, 11:05 a.m.)

Mark 4:21-23: "What kind of L.A.M.P will you be?" (March 12, 08, 9:40 a.m.)

Audio: "What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08, 10:11 a.m.)

"What do you C.O.N.C.E.A.L?" (March 14, 08, 8:52 a.m.)

John 12:12-15: "How can you B.L.E.S.S the Lord?" (March 17, 08, 1:25 a.m.)

Philippians 2:8: "What does the C.R.O.S.S mean to you?" (March 20, 08, 1:16 p.m.)

"How do you handle D.O.U.B.T.S?" (March 25, 08, 12:36 p.m.)

Mark 4:24-25: "What do you do with what you H.E.A.R?" (March 31, 08, 8:39 a.m.)

Mark 4:26-29: "What do you do with the W.O.R.D of God?" (April 05, 08, 10:18 a.m.)

Mark 4:30-34: "What do you do with the S.E.E.D?" (April 07, 08, 11:48 a.m.)

Mark 4:35-41: "What are the S.T.O.R.M.S in your life?" (April 08, 08, 11:52 a.m.)

CHAPTER 5:

Mark 5:1-13: "Where is your T.O.R.M.E.N.T coming from?" (April 09, 08, 11:50 a.m.)

Mark 5:14-17: "Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (April 11, 08, 11:46 a.m.)

Mark 5:14-17: "What do people R.E.P.O.R.T about you?" (April 12, 08, 11:00 a.m.)

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EXPRESSIONS

Video: Delta Zeta Deliciously Delivers Lusciously with Lambda Chi Alpha

Video: Chi Omega's Operation Offers Nothin' But a Gangsta Party at Kappa Alpha Psi's Place

“Afraid?, Forever Redeemer Always Is Delivering! (A.F.R.A.I.D)”

By Ramesh C.ReddyPittsburgh StandardApril 13, 2008

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Express Your View

By Ramesh C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard

April 13, 2008