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www.biblegateway.com
Mark 5:1-20 (NLT)
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man
1 So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil [unclean] spirit came out from a cemetery to meet him. 3 This man lived among the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. 4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.
6 When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. 7 With a shriek, he screamed, "Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don't torture me!" 8 For Jesus had already said to the spirit, "Come out of the man, you evil spirit."
9 Then Jesus demanded, "What is your name?"
And he replied, "My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man." 10 Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.
11 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. 12 "Send us into those pigs," the spirits begged. "Let us enter them."
13 So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.
14 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. 15 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 16 Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. 17 And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.
18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19 But Jesus said, "No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been." 20 So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
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I'm wondering how many of you opened this email... especially with a title reading: "Unclean/Evil Spirits-Demons." Might have scared off some readers. Well, I'm happy that you decided to read this email, because it is an important topic for us to discuss. Mark often highlights the supernatural struggle between Jesus and Satan. The demons' goal was to control the humans they inhabited; Jesus' goal was to give people freedom from sin and Satan's control. These goals are still very active today.
Although we cannot be sure why demon possession occurs, we know that evil spirits can use the human body to distort and destroy people's relationship with people, God and likeness to Him. Even today, demons are dangerous, powerful, and destructive. While it is important to recognize their evil activity so that we can stay away from demons, we should avoid any curiosity about or involvement with demonic forces or the occult (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). You might find this silly or irrelevant, but it is very real. Even today, these evil forces are blending in with the culture of this world and many Christians are blindly playing with and around their deadly foolery. Aren't we suppose to stay on guard? Resisting the devil also includes avoiding his influences- we're not on this earth to play with him. When we resist the devil, in the name of Jesus, he will flee from us (James 4:7).
Demons knew then and still know that they have no power over Jesus. My question is always, "so why do they even try?" The only answers I can come up with are Ignorance and pride. When they saw Jesus in the above verses, they begged not to be sent out of the area; they wanted to stay among the people who allowed them to live among them. Jesus didn't give into their request, He sent them into the pigs, ending their destructive work in people. Perhaps Jesus let the demons destroy the pigs to demonstrate His own superiority over a very powerful yet destructive force. He could have sent them to hell, but He did not, because the time for judgment had not yet come. In the end, the devil and all his demons will be sent into eternal fire (Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:10).
This is serious. You can't let just anything in. When I say guard yourself; this means we have to guard our spirits. This means limiting what we watch, what we listen to, the company we keep, the books we read- we CANNOT let everything in. This I know is true, I recently began to limit the television programs I watch and I've seen a difference in my thinking; and it's a holy change. What I have removed, is being filled with God. We often excuse it as harmless entertainment, but isn't that what the devil would like us to think? I know I use to think this, but I was believing a lie! Without going too deep into the spiritual influences around us (as this might be the first time some of you are learning about it), I can just remind us that we're not here to be entertained and do all things our way; we are here to serve El-Shaddai, God Almighty; do things His way. And this service and worship is to be involved in all that we do. EVERYTHING. I cannot stress it enough. Put on the full armor of God, not just parts of it. Parts won't work- we need each thing, for full protection and fighting power against the unclean/evil spirits-demons that are working against each one of us.
TRUE STORY!
Don't know what the full armor of God is? Ephesians 6:10-20.
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Personal Prayer: Thank You, LORD, my God who always leads me in triumph in Christ, and through me diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. In Jesus' name, amen. (2 Corinthians 2:14)
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United We Serve: January 18th - The deadline to sign up for the opportunity at Belvedere Middle School (Los Angeles, Ca) with me, has been extended to January 13th at 8a. Please reply to this email if you're down to commit. Confirmations will now be sent January 14th.
For other opportunities: www.volunteermatch.org
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-Day
1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace...
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Resources: biblegateway.com, NIV Women's Devotional Bible- Classic Edition, Life Application Study Bible.
Spread The Good News: www.thegoodnews4yourlife.blogspot.com "Providing you with what you already have access to in the most convenient way. So that we all can continue to grow in wisdom & understanding of God." LT
You're my reason to smile :-)
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