DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- JOY IN THE CITY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GREAT JOY IN THE CITY!

"Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the world. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city." (Acts 8:4-8)

The proclamation of the Gospel brings great joy when Christ is preached and people receive it. The Gospel still changes lives. People are transformed by the  power of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. There may be miraculous deliverances and healings, but the greatest miracle is the changed life.

It may be that we in America do not see miraculous healings and deliverances as other cultures, because God has blessed us with such medical breakthroughs that we give the credit to science rather than to God. But God is the source of all knowledge, and healings by medicines and doctors are a result of God's beneficent hand.

We can still see God's hand at work if we recognize that every good and perfect gift is from Him (James 1:17). So we sing, "To God be the Glory, great things He hath done." It is through His goodness that we enjoy these blessings.

We are filled with joy when people experience healings and other miracles, but the greatest joy is to see someone trust Christ for salvation and eternal life. People who have experienced the life-change of Christ will bless society by their new life, because they will be better citizens. May there be great joy in our city.

Love, Dad