Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

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Monday, March 30, 2009

John 8:1-11
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery.

They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Next weekend (April 3 & 4) is a "healing weekend" at the Vineyard in Urbana. There will be two seminars: "Learning to Minister Like Jesus" (http://www.thevineyardchurch.us/ltmlj) and "More Light" (http://www.thevineyardchurch.us/morelight/index.htm).

Dennis and Melanie Morgan-Dohner are the facilitators for the "More Light" workshop-seminar. At a recent conference in England, Dennis spoke.

He said there are four keys we can use. They are: 1. Jesus loves me, 2. He always talks nicely, 3. Jesus is on your side and 4. What is the fruit of what you are hearing? The fruit should not leave you feeling sad or rejected by God, but joyful and accepted in Jesus. Anything that I hear which is contrary to Jesus loves me can be automatically thrown away.

In saying that Jesus always talks nicely to you, Dennis Morgan-Dohner also noted that Jesus can when necessary talk firmly with you, but even in the firmness, you will sense His love, grace and mercy. He said that conviction comes from God, condemnation comes from the enemy, and we need to know the difference between the two.

He said the biggest lie the enemy will tell you in regard to inner healing is "If you go there, it will be overwhelming." Dennis believes that God is more than big enough to handle any issue in your life, no matter how difficult or painful it is. http://www.supernaturalliving.com/Site/Blog/Entries/2009/3/2_More_Light_Report.html

Jesus meets the men with their captured harlot at dawn. The sun rose, the people gathered and Jesus was put on the spot immediately. What should he say?

Perhaps he wondered how his mother was received by her townspeople when it became obvious she was pregnant before her marriage to Joseph. They certainly could have stoned her as well.

What was he thinking while he wrote on the ground? What was he writing? Did he begin a list of the men who were accusing the woman? Was he writing the great commandment: "Love God and love your neighbor as yourself"? Was he just doodling, determined to let the men leave without being shamed by his gaze?

Jesus loved everyone there, the woman and her accusers. He was firm and "nice". He did not choose sides; he was on everyone's "side." And the joy of God's presence sweetened the dawn of that day for everyone who chose to accept it.

Jesus only did what his Father was doing. God's love poured out through his words, his eyes, his touch. It pours out through him still. He offers me all the healing I will ever need.

You, o Lord are my shepherd and I am your lamb. You make me rest in green pastures and lead me toward still waters, you restore my soul. You prepare a table for me even as my enemies try to take it away, and I know that goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.

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Monday, March 30, 2009