Block Party

Saturday afternoon we hosted a block party at our home on Westchester.  All but two of our neighbors showed up which was downright amazing.   About 25 of us shared food and got to know each other a whole lot better.  Because of the rain, most of the time was spent eating and talking under the shelter of our cleaned-out garage.  One of the best things about fellowship is hearing people’s stories.  Most love the opportunity to talk about their lives and there is something bonding about learning the history of those we live near.  Perhaps because of all the COVID-19 issues we were even more eager to spend time together.  ​

​Meditation
Mark 5:18-20--As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed kept begging Him to be with Him.  But He would not let him; instead, He told him, “Go back home to your own people, and report to them how much the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you.” So he went out and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and they were all amazed.
 
The man called Legion (identified by one of the many demons inside him) was healed by Jesus.  The evil spirits ended up in pigs and the whole herd ended up rushing into the sea to drown.  It is not surprising that this liberated man, dressed and of right mind, begged to jump in the boat with Jesus.  But I wonder if the Master’s response raised some of His followers’ eyebrows.  Rather than recruit him to be trained as a disciple, Jesus sent him back home with instructions to recount His redemptive work in his life to his countrymen.  This amazed them and served us with an insightful lesson we should learn from God’s Son.
            
How often do we forget or neglect to tell the very people we live among how much the Lord has done for us?  I always love it when my son Bryan reveals to our friends and neighbors how God miraculously healed him from his brain-stem tumor.  It is such a privilege to find ways to give glory and credit to God for blessing our lives. Even the simple act of praying before the meal we would eat, gave me an opportunity to identify with Christ in thankfulness.  
            
Before the festivities ended and everyone walked back to their homes, one husband asked me where we went to church. Praise God!  Griffin talked previously with Bryan for quite awhile about photography.  He went inside our house to see Bryan’s studio.  Now they have a common connection that will naturally open up further get-togethers.   Another neighbor is going to set me up so that I can play tennis with a group that meets each week.  
            
Unless you live in an isolated farm or ranch, home is usually a place surrounded by other homes.  That means opportunity is right next to you—a chance to share, an opening for testimony, a prospect for introducing the Savior.  Pray that we are not ashamed of the gospel, “because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).  We’ll pray the same for you!  Something to think about . . . in reveration!   
 
Inspiration
What’s really intriguing to me is how simple it is to share Jesus with other people as opposed to trying to make “Christians” out of them.—Carl Medearis in Speaking of Jesus
 
©2020 Daniel York ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)