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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. Mark 5:20
One day, Jesus and his disciples crossed a lake and entered gentile territory. Near the shore was a grave yard. Soon He and his friends were approached by a man so possessed of demons he could not be chained or controlled. He spent his life wandering among the tombs screaming and moaning. I’m guessing that was a pretty scary moment for the disciples. I’m also guessing it didn’t affect Jesus in the least.
It’s interesting, the man screamed at Jesus, but Jesus only addressed the demons inside him. That’s Jesus for you. We’d focus on the man and his behavior. Jesus focused on his heart.
After talking with the demons, Jesus sent them into a herd of nearby pigs who promptly drowned themselves in the lake! When the herders of the pigs saw this they were shocked! They went and told the people in the nearby town what had happened. When the crowd returned they saw the crazy man of the village sitting calmly talking with Jesus. Fully clothed and in his right mind.
This was all too much for the people in the town to process. They could handle the crazy guy full of demons, but apparently Jesus made them uncomfortable. Or perhaps they were upset because all the bacon they hoped for was in the bottom of the lake. (Ok, sorry. Couldn’t resist that one)
Anyway, back to the story. As Jesus and his crew prepared to leave, the man healed of demons asked to accompany Jesus. Jesus, however, told the man to stay back and travel to the surrounding countryside and tell people what Jesus had done for him. You see, the man had a story to tell and although I’m sure Jesus would have loved having him around, the man’s mission to tell others about Jesus was far more important.
He has the same message for you too, you know. The man in our story was most likely a gentile, not a Hebrew as Jesus and his friends were. Jewish boys are taught about God’s law from the very beginning. Not this guy? He most likely didn’t have a clue about Abraham, Moses, Isaiah or all the prophecies about some coming Messiah. He hadn’t gone to church, been baptized or studied the ‘Bible’. He really only knew one thing and that one thing was what Jesus had done for him.
As believers in Jesus we need to have a passion to tell others about what Jesus means to us. Education in God’s word is nice. Going to church can be helpful. But the best tool you have to bring others to Jesus is to tell them simply, “This is what Jesus did for me.”
So, what’s your story? How has Jesus made a difference in your life, in your marriage, in your work ethic, in your attitude? Sharing what Jesus means to you is far more valuable than any sermon any pastor can ever preach. People may be able to argue theology or doctrine. They may be able to ask all sorts of questions you can’t answer. But the one thing they can’t argue about is what Jesus means to you. Make your story real. Make it short. Make it meaningful. Spread it to your world!
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
It was the stuff TV dramas are made of except it was happening to me! I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard that my life was being threatened. My emotions when from shock mixed with humor to fear. What if he made good on his threat?
The more I thought about it, the less I was afraid. Sound odd? Perhaps. But my contentment came from the realization that death for me isn’t defeat. It’s victory. My assailant would still be here to suffer the consequences of his crime. In the meantime I’d be resting comfortably in the arms of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The same scenario plays itself out in Satan’s life. Our attitude towards Satan is one of extremes. In some ways we don’t take the idea of ‘Satan’ seriously enough. He’s real. He’s very powerful. He has a very large army of demons who have but one plan…to destroy you. He’s also very cunning and deceptive. He won’t attack you in the areas of your strength. He’ll always attack in your weak spot.
On the other hand, in some ways we take Satan far too seriously. Sound like I’m writing in circles? Consider this. Satan is very strong. He wants to destroy you. He knows his time is short. But there’s something else you need to realize about Satan. You scare the hell out of Satan, or should I say you scare the hell INTO him?
From the beginning Satan has tried to defeat God’s plan for relationship with you. He wants to be number one and you are standing in his way. If he can keep you defeated; if he can keep you wallowing in a pool of self-pity, guilt and fear he knows he can win.
But if you decide to stand up to him. If you act on the power you have through Jesus Christ the Bible says he will ‘flee from you!’ Not stand and fight. Not beg for mercy. RUN! Satan is terrified of Christ-followers who live in the power of the Spirit and act like they are God’s children.
Don’t let Satan defeat you. He’s a loser. He knows it, but he doesn’t want you to live out the power you have in Jesus. Live in the promises of grace, forgiveness and mercy. Even if you lose your life you win.
PRAYER: Father God, from this day forward I’m not letting Satan control how I feel about me. He’s kept me in prison for far too long. By the power I have through Jesus’ forgiveness I demand he leave me alone. I rest in the freedom I have in you. By the name and blood of Jesus I pray, Amen.
And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17
How would life be different if you knew that you were surrounded by an army of angels armed and ready to attack at a moments notice? How would that affect the things you are currently worried about? What ‘dream’ that you’ve put on hold would be taken off the back burner and pursued? If you knew that you had an entire army at your bidding how would it affect how you feel about yourself?
The prophet, Elisha, was being pursued by an evil Assyrian King who was angry with Elisha because Elisha had warned the King of Israel of the Assyrian Kings attacks. Time and time again Israel was able to avoid defeat at the hands of the Assyrians. The Assyrian King decided that in order to beat the Israelites he would first have to do in Elisha.
One day, Elisha and his servant looked out beyond the walls of the city and saw the Assyrian army surrounding them. There was no escape. They were doomed and the servant feared for their lives! Elisha prayed and asked God to open the servant’s eyes. When He did, the servant saw hundreds of thousands of angels surrounding the army. Through divine intervention the enemy army was defeated and Elisha and his servant were safe.
There are times in each of our lives when it seems like the troubles and conflicts of life have us surrounded. We see no escape and we feel like we are doomed to failure. It could be finances, school, friends, broken relationships or the consequences of our own poor choices. These things keep us from living up to the potential that God has for us. But the Bible tells us over and over again that our Heavenly Father loves us dearly and has promised to protect us. Our Father desires for each of us to experience His love and protection when the enemy attacks.
Our finite minds are unable to fully comprehend the fact that we are surrounded by the spirit world. Ephesians tells us that every battle we have to fight is not a battle that we can see. The battle is really a spiritual one in which Satan and his angels want to attack us with worry, defeat, guilt, shame and a poor self image. Satan doesn’t want us to know all the things God has in store for us. He’s happy when we are miserable.
God’s army of angels is standing-by, ready to attack Satan’s angels and keep them from pulling us down. If we could see as Elisha’s servant saw, we would realize that we are surrounded by God’s angels, armed and ready for battle on our behalf. With God’s army of angels protecting us, we can freely pursue all that God has for us.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that you love me enough to protect me and fight for me. I praise you that even though I fail time and time again you want to bring me through the struggles of my life. Forgive me for constantly thinking that I need to fight my own battles. Keep me from listening to Satan’s lies. Help me see the warriors that you have on my side so I can live in victory for your name’s sake. Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 