Anderson Hills

In the city of Decapolis in Gerasenes, there lived a man who was filled with unclean spirits. He no longer lived at home but in the graveyard. Nothing—no chains or shackles—was strong enough to restrain him or to keep him locked up for his own safety and the safety of others. He would cut himself with stones and day and night, he would cry and scream in the graveyard and on the mountainside. He wore little to no clothing and everyone tried to avoid him. But not Jesus. He commanded the evil spirits to leave the man, redeeming him from the powers that controlled him. This story challenges us to look at our own lives and to examine our habits and the powers that control us from which we need to be set free.

In the city of Decapolis in Gerasenes, there lived a man who was filled with unclean spirits. He no longer lived at home but in the graveyard. Nothing—no chains or shackles—was strong enough to restrain him or to keep him locked up for his own safety and the safety of others. He would cut himself with stones and day and night, he would cry and scream in the graveyard and on the mountainside. He wore little to no clothing and everyone tried to avoid him. But not Jesus. He commanded the evil spirits to leave the man, redeeming him from the powers that controlled him. This story challenges us to look at our own lives and to examine our habits and the powers that control us from which we need to be set free.

Ruth is the story of a young Moabite woman who comes to the love of God and the joy of belonging to His people through her Jewish mother-in-law, Naomi. As these two women navigate the battles of life, there is unmistakable evidence of God’s good purposes. God is at work to redeem Ruth and His people to Himself with the help from a man named Boaz. Through this story we see that we also need a Kinsman-Redeemer who will do whatever it takes to help us. This story of Ruth and Boaz is a picture of how Jesus redeems us. Jesus is the ultimate “Kinsman-Redeemer” who voluntarily paid the price for our debt and takes us as His bride.

Ruth is the story of a young Moabite woman who comes to the love of God and the joy of belonging to His people through her Jewish mother-in-law, Naomi. As these two women navigate the battles of life, there is unmistakable evidence of God’s good purposes. God is at work to redeem Ruth and His people to Himself with the help from a man named Boaz. Through this story we see that we also need a Kinsman-Redeemer who will do whatever it takes to help us. This story of Ruth and Boaz is a picture of how Jesus redeems us. Jesus is the ultimate “Kinsman-Redeemer” who voluntarily paid the price for our debt and takes us as His bride.

The Old Testament book of Hosea talks about a prophet whose life no one would want to imitate. He was called to marry Gomer, a prostitute, whom even after they were married, was unfaithful and deceptive. Each time she was unfaithful, Hosea welcomed her back, and even went to purchase and redeem her. While acknowledging that we wouldn’t want to be Hosea, we are likely embarrassed to admit that we are more like Gomer. We are the unfaithful bride, the one who runs to flighty temptations when our eyes slip from Christ to self. We are those who return to Christ to seek the forgiveness He always extends. Praise God that His mercy awaits us! It is amazing that God would go to such lengths to restore people who have rejected Him.

The Old Testament book of Hosea talks about a prophet whose life no one would want to imitate. He was called to marry Gomer, a prostitute, whom even after they were married, was unfaithful and deceptive. Each time she was unfaithful, Hosea welcomed her back, and even went to purchase and redeem her. While acknowledging that we wouldn’t want to be Hosea, we are likely embarrassed to admit that we are more like Gomer. We are the unfaithful bride, the one who runs to flighty temptations when our eyes slip from Christ to self. We are those who return to Christ to seek the forgiveness He always extends. Praise God that His mercy awaits us! It is amazing that God would go to such lengths to restore people who have rejected Him.

Clay is a cheap material that remains worthless until it is in the hands of a skillful potter who can make it into something valuable. Like the potter, God lovingly molds His people into a vessel that He is proud to display. We do not begin as useful and worthwhile vessels; we begin as misshapen, unusable lumps of clay. Sin soaks into the very dust of our being; nothing we do can makes us clean. But then the Lamb of God comes. The resurrected Savior takes these earthen vessels, ready for the discard pile, and He redeems the seemingly irredeemable. In the Potter’s hands we face two choices—either to be soft and pliable, restored into useful vessels, or to remain stubborn and stiff, of little use in God’s kingdom.

Clay is a cheap material that remains worthless until it is in the hands of a skillful potter who can make it into something valuable. Like the potter, God lovingly molds His people into a vessel that He is proud to display. We do not begin as useful and worthwhile vessels; we begin as misshapen, unusable lumps of clay. Sin soaks into the very dust of our being; nothing we do can makes us clean. But then the Lamb of God comes. The resurrected Savior takes these earthen vessels, ready for the discard pile, and He redeems the seemingly irredeemable. In the Potter’s hands we face two choices—either to be soft and pliable, restored into useful vessels, or to remain stubborn and stiff, of little use in God’s kingdom.

Some of the most potent gods within us are not as easy to spot and harder to point to. This is true of the gods of power and success. These gods, which subtly overtake us, almost always manifest themselves in the sin of pride. As we climb this ladder of power and success, we do not realize we are setting ourselves up for a higher fall. Also, these idols almost always demand sacrifices. Sometimes it is our character, sometimes our integrity, and sometimes our marriage, our children, and even our faith. We must remember that the power and success of man comes from God’s hand. God alone is all-powerful; He is in control. And when we surrender to Him in humility and tap into His power, everything changes for the good.

Some of the most potent gods within us are not as easy to spot and harder to point to. This is true of the gods of power and success. These gods, which subtly overtake us, almost always manifest themselves in the sin of pride. As we climb this ladder of power and success, we do not realize we are setting ourselves up for a higher fall. Also, these idols almost always demand sacrifices. Sometimes it is our character, sometimes our integrity, and sometimes our marriage, our children, and even our faith. We must remember that the power and success of man comes from God’s hand. God alone is all-powerful; He is in control. And when we surrender to Him in humility and tap into His power, everything changes for the good.