Dear Student of the Word,
It's a pleasure to send you this study from England, home to so many past champions of missions and the Word. I feel more spiritual just being here (and I need all the help I can get). I am enjoying working through Mark's gospel. It always seems that one thought stays with me from the study throughout the day, helping me to stay in the Word a little longer than I ordinarily would. I hope these studies are having that same effect with you.
This week we read about the man who had a legion of demons that Jesus cast out of him and into a herd of pigs. Here is what I jokingly wrote (it's all right to have some fun with the Word, isn't it?):
v. 14 -- I've heard the term "sheep herder" but not often the term "pig herder." With 2,000 pigs scavenging for food, however, I suppose someone had to try and keep them in line. I wonder if there were pig dogs like there are sheep dogs? At any rate, the hired help watched this incident happen and took off to tell the owners of their financial ruin. I am sure that the herders were quite concerned, for it was their responsibility to tend the pigs, not to send them off swimming! I doubt too if the owners had any kind of pig insurance. This caused quite a stir in the local villages, so everyone came to check things out. Thank goodness there weren't any pig activists to protest this inhumane treatment of pigs!
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Clear DayDear Doctor
as the saying 'iron sharpens iron', may i reveal what i heard in a convention from Dr. Brian Bailey in reference to this Bible lesson above.
though not in the position to give any comments myself as this is only my 7 yr. after conversion at this old age, i sincerely hope what Dr. Bailey said would help give some insight to the passage above...worth reflecting.
he mentioned that The Lord had revealed to him that there's 'a timing'
for these 'demonic spirits' to be casted out. even pastors, leaders whatsoever cannot seem to bind or cast them out hard as they tried as it's not time for them to be taken away yet! interesting?
was told in that conference the one doing the casting had to Wait for The Lord's instruction (timing) before it could be done.
this was given to us during the recent 5th Annual Zion Asia Pacific Convention 2007 held at The Cornerstone Community Church in Singapore though i am not a member there, just happened to sign up for it.
...just simply sharing this piece for knowledge in learning from Dr.
Brian as the way i received from your Bible study.
God bless!
Saved-by-His-LovinGrace
shen
Posted by: Shen | March 28, 2007 at 08:42 PM