Joshua Grubbs
Even the Dogs
Pastor Wes Humble : Oct 6, 2025 9:23 AM
But she answered Him, "Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Mark 7:28 (NLT)
All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
The coming of the Holy Spirit during Pentecost must have been an incredible sight to see. We are told in the text (Acts 2:5-11) that when the Spirit came upon the followers of Jesus at least 15 different groups of people heard “about God’s deeds of power” in their own language. What an incredible display of the triune God’s love!
While some responded positively to this event, as we see in verse 12, and desired to know more, we also see that others, in verse 13, responded negatively to this event. The detractors even went so far as to accused those filled with the Spirit of God of simply being drunk. This story highlights an important truth about the Spirit-filled life that are we gifted and called to live.
Not everyone is going to understand.
From the outside, the Spirit-filled life is confusing. What do you mean you pray for your enemies? What do you mean that you consider yourself the least of all and seek to serve no matter what? What do you mean you are empowered by the Holy Spirit? To do all that you certainly have to be under the influence of something!
This is the way that the world looks upon the Spirit-filled life; at best with confusion and intrigue, at worst with derision and hatred. But Paul writes that “God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength,” in 1 Corinthians 1:25 (NRSVUE). How we view ourselves and the standard to which we hold ourselves as believers is drastically different than the view and standard of the world.
We are to be a people set apart (Leviticus 20:26), a people who are known by the love we have for each other (John 13:35), and a people who embrace suffering rather than avoid it at all costs (James 1:2). When we truly live out our calling in the power of the Gospel, we’re going to get a lot of sideways glances. But we must always remember to ask ourselves which gaze we care about more – the suspicion of our fellow man, or the loving eyes of our Father in heaven.
Pray with me
Father, I pray for the boldness and the courage to live a Spirit-filled life, no matter the cost. Help to me always keep my eyes fixed on you, not on those around me. When all are walking the broad path, give me the strength to walk the narrow one. Amen
How are Spiritual, Physical and Mental Health Related?
Amy Hagen : Mar 15, 2023 9:00 AM
Sometimes when we think about our health, we think about the things that make us sick or prevent our bodies from functioning.
